Afropea: A Post-Western and Post-Racist Utopia

By: Miano, Léonora

Challenging conventional notions of racial and regional identity, L onora Miano provides a fresh perspective on the complexities of self-perception.

In this ground-breaking exploration, French-Cameroonian author L onora Miano unveils a distinct sensibility shaped by her sub-Saharan African roots, setting her apart from those who identify as Afro-Europeans, or Afropeans, a group forged within the European context. Drawing on her unique perspective, Miano reveals the complexities that determine self-perception and complicate the bonds of identification and solidarity between Afro-Europeans and their sub-Saharan counterparts. Contrasting with France's approach of lumping all citizens of sub-Saharan descent together under an "African" label, the author questions the effectiveness of such categorization in fostering a genuine connection to one's country and assuming responsibility for its future.

Despite the many challenges, Miano finds hope in the Afropean identity--those who embrace the fusion of Africa and Europe within their self-designation--believing it holds the potential to embody a transformative, fraternal, anti-imperialist, and anti-racist societal project. Yet, she acknowledges the persistent struggle for acceptance and understanding in a society grappling with identity tensions. In this powerful narrative, Miano examines the allure of rejection that exists on both sides of the divide, offering a nuanced examination of the delicate balance between cultures, identities, and the pursuit of a utopian vision. Timely and captivating, this book is essential to understanding the Afropean perspective.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1803093420
• ISBN13: 9781803093420
• Release Date: December 2024
• Publisher: Seagull Books
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.4" x 9.4"