JH
John Henrik Clarke
88quotes
Full Name and Common Aliases
John Henrik Clarke was born on January 1, 1915, in Hurlock, Maryland. He is often referred to as John H. Clarke.
Birth and Death Dates
January 1, 1915 - December 5, 1998
Nationality and Profession(s)
Clarke was an American author, historian, and Pan-Africanist. He held various academic positions throughout his career, including professorships at several institutions.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in rural Maryland, Clarke's early life was marked by poverty and racism. Despite these challenges, he developed a passion for learning and a desire to become an educator. After completing high school, Clarke attended Howard University, where he studied English literature and began to develop his writing skills. He went on to earn his Master's degree from Fisk University in 1938.
Major Accomplishments
Clarke was a pioneering figure in the field of African American studies. In 1964, he became the first African American to teach at New York University (NYU), where he established the department of African and Afro-American Studies. Under his leadership, the department grew to become one of the largest and most respected programs of its kind.
Notable Works or Actions
Clarke was a prolific writer, authoring numerous books and articles on African American history and culture. His notable works include A History of Africa, _The Forge of Black Empires_, and _Christopher Columbus and the Afro-American: A Study in Reversal_. He also served as a consultant for several films and documentaries, including Stanley Kubrick's _Spartacus_.
Impact and Legacy
Clarke's work had a profound impact on the way people understood African American history and culture. His commitment to Pan-Africanism helped to promote greater understanding and solidarity between African Americans and Africans around the world. Through his writing and teaching, Clarke empowered generations of scholars and activists with the knowledge and tools they needed to fight for social justice.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Clarke's quotes are widely cited because of their thought-provoking insights into the experiences of African Americans and the importance of African diasporic identity. His words continue to inspire people today, reminding us that our histories are intertwined and that we must work together to build a more just world.
"History is not everything, especially when viewed without being seen, heard and felt from different perspectives."
"Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the education system controls the future."
"These young scholars have been trained in the tradition of the great historians... I am proud to be their teacher."
Clarke's legacy continues to inspire scholars, activists, and artists today. His commitment to education, Pan-Africanism, and social justice serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have on the world.
Quotes by John Henrik Clarke
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In the United States, the Supreme Court’s decision of 1954, outlawing segregation in school systems, was greeted with mixed feelings of hope and skepticism by African-Americans.
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In the closing years of the nineteenth century, African-American historians began to look at their people’s history from their vantage point and their point of view.
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When I was able to go to school in my early years, my third grade teacher, Ms. Harris, convinced me that one day I would be a writer. I heard her, but I knew that I had to leave Georgia, and unlike my friend Ray Charles, I did not go around with ‘Georgia on My Mind.’
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What I have learned is that a whole lot of people with degrees don’t know a damn thing, and a lot of people with no degrees are brilliant.
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After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, the United States would enter, in a formal way, what had been up to that date strictly a European conflict. Marcus Garvey’s prophecy about the European scramble to maintain dominance over the whole world was now a reality.
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I am a nationalist, and a Pan-Africanist, first and foremost. I was well grounded in history before ever taking a history course. I did not spend much formal time in school – I had to work.
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African people need to stop shouting ‘nationtime’ until they are clear about the responsibilities of running a nation.
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The first light of human consciousness and the world’s first civilizations were in Africa.
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There was a time when all dark-skinned people were called Ethiopians, for the Greeks referred to Africa as, ‘The Land Of The Burnt-Face People.’
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