Black Studies and the Problematic of Paradigm

In spite of its ideals and continuing promise, was clear from its inception that Studies would encounter a series of internal and external challenges to its realization as a legitimate and effective discipline. And was equally clear that how responded to those challenges would determine its course, content, and ultimate future (Hare, 1972). At the heart of these challenges is the problematic of paradigm that, although was posed and pursued at the inception of Studies, was never definitively resolved. This, in turn, has led to an ongoing and crisis-oriented struggle to define, develop, and defend the discipline and at the same time defend Studies scholars' preeminent right to internal definition and development of the discipline. For given its academic and political vulnerability as a relatively young discipline, there is a continuing thrust-politically and philosophically-to define and/or disestablish from external sources. Hare (1975: 46), a founding father of the discipline, has recognized this vulnerability and its possible consequences. He observed that although Black Studies remains relevant indeed ... we are slowly letting the discipline slip from our political grip. For it is being increasingly shaped and defined for us rather than by us.