The Association of Concerned Africa Scholars (ACAS) has constructed a resolution that tackles the impact of 9/11 and Bush's wars on the Study of Africa. They are requesting that it be endorsed by the African Studies Association (USA), and are collecting signatures to be posted on the web site (acas.prairienet.org). If you wish to add your name, please send your full name and affiliation to ACAS at: [email protected]

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Resolution on the Study of Africa After 9/11

Whereas we live in a period of increasing conflict and war affecting Americans, Africans and peoples world-wide,

Whereas the defense of democratic freedoms requires the free flow of information, free speech, and open debate,

Whereas we are daily engaged in the discussion and exchange of ideas and scholarship in pursuit of these freedoms,

Whereas recent U.S. government laws and executive policies, most notably the USA Patriot Act and Homeland Security Act, have operated to restrict basic civil liberties and freedom of expression,

Whereas more than 300 U.S. cities and counties and 3 states have passed resolutions opposing the USA Patriot Act,

Whereas laws and policies such as the USA Patriot Act and the Homeland Security Act interfere with academic freedom and contribute to a climate of intolerance on our campuses and in our communities,

Whereas there is increasing pressure to align the study of Africa, its peoples and languages with the narrow priorities of military and intelligence operations,

Whereas new security and visa policies based on religious and racial profiling are subverting the free exchange of knowledge with and visits by African scholars,

Whereas increasing numbers of Africans and others, most notably legitimate refugees, are being detained without representation or hearings for long periods of time, and thus are being denied basic constitutional and international human rights; therefore be it:

Resolved that we reaffirm our commitment to academic freedom, and call upon scholars as well as college and university administrations to safeguard free speech;

Resolved that we call for the repeal of all recent government laws and actions that restrict civil liberties, free speech, and free association, including the USA Patriot Act and the Homeland Security Act;

Resolved that we reaffirm the African Studies Association's long-standing policy of support for the open and transparent determination of research priorities and awards, and against research determined by the priorities of military and intelligence agencies,

Resolved that we call for a visa policy free of racial and religious profiling,
Resolved that we call for expedited hearings for all refugees, an end to indeterminate detention, and the implementation of basic human rights for refugees,

Resolved that the Board of Directors of the African Studies Association implement the above actions by acting without delay to:

(1) Actively pursue these issues with members of Congress,
(2) Re-confirm past resolutions on the independence of scholarly work from military and intelligence agencies, most notably the NSEP program and more recent, related initiatives,
(3) Dedicate plenary session(s) to this subject at the our annual meetings,
(4) Request the Editors of African Issues and the African Studies Review to prepare special issues on these matters, and
(5) Form an Executive Commission with adequate resources to compile data and investigate trends on emerging threats to academic freedom, which will make regular reports to the Board and membership, and

Resolved that this resolution be sent without delay to the U.S. President, all members of the U.S. Congress, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Chairperson of the African Union, representative African scholarly associations, and the academic press.

Presented by the Association of Concerned Africa Scholars 2004