Unraveling the Controversies and Misconceptions on Black Diaspora and Migrant Settlements in Historical Scholarship

Abstract

This paper examines some conceptual ambiguities arising from the used of related but differing meaning of the two words in diaspora studies. Beginning from 1940s, African diaspora studies and black studies in general began to gain momentum and renewed vigour. Probably, may be due to Africans who fought in the frontlines with the Europeans during the World War 1, and perceived to be no tactically inferior or the Atlantic Charter that has promised fake hope for the black people may be all encompassing. The aim and objectives are in three folds; first, to conceptualise the related, but differing meanings of the both words ‘diaspora and migrant’ with lucid and clear-cut dichotomy. Secondly, to draw a comparative analysis between the Jewish and African diasporic experiences. Thirdly, to interrogate the extent to which diaspora and migrant communities have contributed, to the overall political and socio-economic advancement of Africa, in terms of wealth repatriation and industrialization, physical resettlement back home. It adopts descriptive historical method of contents analysis, utilizes secondary sources of data for thematic critique and review of literatures. Finally, paper finds out that African diasporic experience was an outcome of expanding European imperial and capitalists’ exploitations.