Amos Wilson
Author, Pan-Africanist and psychologist are just some of the titles used when referencing Dr. Amos Wilson, who became known for his novels and speeches promoting the advancement of people of African descent. Wilson supported unity amongst descendants of Africa, economic empowerment, improved education and Black Power.
Born on February 23, 1941 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Dr. Wilson was able to experience the harsh realities of growing up black in the American South. Despite being met with limited opportunity, Wilson pursued higher education and attended Morehouse College, The New School of Social Research and Fordham University, where he earned a doctoral degree.
Through his studies he observed that African-Americans were constantly faced with social inequalities which prompted him to encourage higher education as a tool to increase opportunities and status. Wilson published one of his early works, The Developmental Psychology of the Black Child, in 1978. The book was one of its kind in the way it specifically addressed the growth, education and development of black children.
In addition to attending college, Dr. Wilson as called for black economic empowerment. He supported trading with African nations rather than European as a means of becoming the superior economic force. He urged for the re-establishment of African culture and an end to the support of European culture. Like Marcus Garvey, Dr. Wilson believed that unity amongst all members of the diaspora would be needed to truly advance the community. He encouraged those of African descent to combine resources and support their own businesses to gain a more favorable position in society.
Another important area of concern for Wilson was religion and history. In regards to religion, he believed that endorsing Christianity was also supporting the oppressor. He supported a movement away from Christianity and until it occurs he suggested that there would be continued enslavement. Wilson also sought to enlighten African-Americans about their history and roots. He highlighted the importance of knowing ones history and knowing that history goes beyond slavery.
During the 1990s, Wilson published a variety of books such as Black-On-Black Violence: The Psychodynamics of Black Self-Annihilation in Service of White Domination (1991), The Falsification of Afrikan Consciousness: Eurocentric History, Psychiatry and the Politics of White Supremacy (1993) and Blueprint for Black Power: A Moral, Political, and Economic Imperative for the Twenty-First Century (1998). These works allowed him to further explain and disseminate his message of black power, pride, and advancement.
Dr. Amos Wilson died on January 14, 1995, in Brooklyn, New York.
Born on February 23, 1941 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Dr. Wilson was able to experience the harsh realities of growing up black in the American South. Despite being met with limited opportunity, Wilson pursued higher education and attended Morehouse College, The New School of Social Research and Fordham University, where he earned a doctoral degree.
Through his studies he observed that African-Americans were constantly faced with social inequalities which prompted him to encourage higher education as a tool to increase opportunities and status. Wilson published one of his early works, The Developmental Psychology of the Black Child, in 1978. The book was one of its kind in the way it specifically addressed the growth, education and development of black children.
In addition to attending college, Dr. Wilson as called for black economic empowerment. He supported trading with African nations rather than European as a means of becoming the superior economic force. He urged for the re-establishment of African culture and an end to the support of European culture. Like Marcus Garvey, Dr. Wilson believed that unity amongst all members of the diaspora would be needed to truly advance the community. He encouraged those of African descent to combine resources and support their own businesses to gain a more favorable position in society.
Another important area of concern for Wilson was religion and history. In regards to religion, he believed that endorsing Christianity was also supporting the oppressor. He supported a movement away from Christianity and until it occurs he suggested that there would be continued enslavement. Wilson also sought to enlighten African-Americans about their history and roots. He highlighted the importance of knowing ones history and knowing that history goes beyond slavery.
During the 1990s, Wilson published a variety of books such as Black-On-Black Violence: The Psychodynamics of Black Self-Annihilation in Service of White Domination (1991), The Falsification of Afrikan Consciousness: Eurocentric History, Psychiatry and the Politics of White Supremacy (1993) and Blueprint for Black Power: A Moral, Political, and Economic Imperative for the Twenty-First Century (1998). These works allowed him to further explain and disseminate his message of black power, pride, and advancement.
Dr. Amos Wilson died on January 14, 1995, in Brooklyn, New York.