Beyond Ontological Blackness

Steve Schroeder

In this important contribution to both cultural studies and theology, Anderson articulates six themes: the reification of race in contemporary African American cultural and religious thinkers, designated "ontological blackness" ; the historic representational functions of race language; the determinative role of the cult of European genius associated with the Enlightenment; racial discourses that derive their legitimacy from ontological blackness; Nietzsche's "grotesque aesthetic," which undergirds new literary critiques of ontological blackness; and a plea that the legitimacy of African American cultural criticism be grounded on cultural fulfillment rather than resistance. The rhythm of description that permeates the book makes it a good pointer for historical (or, more properly, genealogical) research as well as contemporary cultural and political thought. Most notably, Anderson engages in an extended critique of James Cone's black theology; womanist theologies articulated by Katie Cannon, Jacquelyn Grant, and Delores Williams; Molefi Asante's Afrocentrism; and Shelby Steele's neoconservatism. That should generate controversy from all directions. As a contribution to critical cultural studies, it should also stimulate reflection on the construction of all sorts of categories, including not only race, but also Anderson's genealogical taxonomy of contemporary African American cultural critics, from James Cone and Katie Cannon to Cornell West, Toni Morrison, and Alice Walker.