Collins - Audience in Afrocentric Rhetoric

Audience in Afrocentric Rhetoric

Introduction

• Concept of Rhetorics

  • Alternative rhetorics challenge assumptions that rhetorical discourse fits into easily recognizable categories.

  • Specific groups derive different definitions based on divergent worldviews and objectives.

  • Rhetorics as social inventions shaped by historical, economic, and political contexts.

  • Exploration of alternative rhetorics can provoke reassessment of accepted rhetorical traditions.

• Focus of the Chapter

  • Investigation of varied understandings of the term "audience" through both Western and non-Western perspectives, emphasizing Afrocentric rhetoric.

  • Comparison of Western views of audience with those grounded in African and African American philosophies, examining their contributions to human knowledge.

  • Aim to avoid essentializing categories; traditions of rhetoric are complex and fluid, evolving with time.

• Main Question

  • Can analyzing audience across these two rhetorical traditions aid writing instructors in re-evaluating the contexts of social relations in rhetoric?

  • Goal to foster enriched understanding in students, using rhetoric as a means of inquiry and social connection across diverse perspectives.

Agonism and the Western Rhetorical Tradition

• Definition of Agonism

  • Concept where rhetoric is associated with combative forms of social relations, often reflecting a hierarchical separation between rhetor and audience.

• Heraclitus's View

  • Early notion of audience as passive receptacles, indicative of an agonistic foundation in pre-classical Western rhetoric.

• Historical Context

  • Influences from philosophers like Parmenides, Empedocles, and Democritus furthered the deficit model of humanity.

  • Western rhetoric regarded as a presentation of self, with emphasis on public display of knowledge in an adversarial context.

• Consequences of Agonism

  • Produces a combative approach where success relies on negating opposing viewpoints, limiting fruitful knowledge exchange.

  • Agonism constrains discussions to binary oppositions, reducing complex interactions and understanding.

• Critiques of Traditional Western Audience Concepts

  • Critics argue that traditional conceptions of audience are simplistic, perceiving them only as passive entities to be persuaded rather than active participants.

  • Western thought often assumes fixed identities within audiences, neglecting their dynamic qualities.

Exploring Afrocentric Rhetoric

• Definition of Afrocentricity

  • Framework that centers African and African American perspectives in cultural studies, highlighting their roles as subjects rather than objects in education and history.

  • Seeks to foster vibrant, interconnected communities that include diverse global perspectives.

• Core Values in Afrocentric Rhetoric

  • Emphasizes harmony and balance in social relations, legitimizing divergent perspectives.

  • Rhetoric framed as an endeavor to navigate tensions rather than simply combat disagreements (Asante's poetic definition).

• Differences from Western Rhetoric

  • Afrocentric rhetoric promotes collective engagement and responsibility over individualistic pursuits common in Western contexts.

  • Concept of nommo provides a mechanism for establishing collective understanding and moving towards harmony in conversation.

  • The active role of audiences is recognized; they engage with the speakers in a shared enterprise rather than standing apart.

Audience and Agency in Afrocentric Rhetoric

• Affectivity in Afrocentric Frameworks

  • Knowledge emerges not solely through rational discourse but incorporates emotional, experiential understanding.

  • Recognizes that community bonds shape audience perceptions and participation, contrasting with rigid Western roles.

• Implications for Teaching

  • Rhetorical success is redefined as collaboration and knowledge creation through dialogue rather than mere persuasion.

  • Encourages recognizing audience insights, shaping rhetoric as a tool for participatory understanding.

• Rhetoric as Collective Activity

  • Engagement in rhetorical exchanges seen as a communal effort; preexisting social connections inform rhetorical discourse.

  • Rhetorical situations perceived as opportunities for expanding knowledge collaboratively rather than winning arguments.

Pedagogical Implications

• Constructing Audience Notions

  • Present audience as a dynamic social construct within rhetorical situations, prompting students to engage with diverse perspectives.

  • Encourage an iterative process where student positions evolve through discussion and interaction with conflicting viewpoints.

• Assignments for Enhancing Understanding

  • Projects that form around identifying consensus positions among students in argumentative writing foster collaborative learning.

  • Encourage analysis of future discourse implications based on current debates, prompting critical thinking and forecasting skills.

• Fostering Affective Knowledge

  • Students encouraged to assess personal and communal implications of knowledge, enhancing empathy and community awareness.

  • Promote reflection on emotions associated with rhetoric; connect feelings to global and local issues through community interaction.

Conclusion

• Role of Rhetoric in Society

  • Rhetoric acts as a mirror reflecting social conditions and shaping desires for future societal relationships.

  • Study of Afrocentric rhetoric brings awareness to alternative perspectives in the rhetoric discipline, encouraging richer, more inclusive dialogues in classrooms.