Howard Journal of Communications

Centering Black Communication Theory in the age of digital communication

Renown Professor Ronald, L. Jackson of the University of Miami, Florida wrote the Foreword to Black Communication Theory Volume 2 by stating that “scholars across disciplines have become so attuned to thinking about the world through the eyes of the West that they ultimately dismiss non-Western perspectives without giving it much thought” ( Jackson, 2024, viii). This is because western theories have colonized and eclipsed our thinking such that any other non-western theories that germinate in any other research creates cognitive dissonance within us making us to quickly dismiss them with equanimity. Molefi Kete Asante even went as far as positing that “ sometimes Africans carry the wood of others to build their fires only to realize that the smoke from such fires chokes them” ( Asante, 2020, 22). His views echoes that of Ama Mazama of Temple University who firmly believes that “Western theories are used as weapons of mental incarceration and promoting ( my insert) westernization” (Langmia, 2022, x). He is emphasizing the relevance and ultimate importance of the Black communication theory to burgeon in our collective research endeavors that focuses on the Black experience. His views and many others have underscored a belief first articulated in 2002 by Min-Sun that “ communication theory has a strong Western bias” ( Min-Sun, 2002, 1). Therefore, communication scholars in the Global South in general and most especially those Black Diasporans of African descent and in the continent of Africa ought to centralize Black communication theories in their research within the context of interpersonal, international, intercultural, cross cultural, group, health, sports communication contexts. This special edition calls on research articles that are African/Black centered using  Black communication theoretical lenses rooted in the Black experience, culture and ethos.

Papers for this edition shall be empirical with qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Authors seeking to take part in this project could use Black communication theoretical lens to posit a position. Our aim is to provide an alternative trajectory for theory building that will benefit our research students as well as our various research endeavors. Papers should be no longer than 7000 words and should adhere to the journal’s style guideline. Please indicate, at submission, that paper is for the special issue on : “Centering Black Communication theory in the age of digital communication.”

Drafts before submission can be sent to [email protected] before final submission to Howard journal of communication site by June 30^th. 

Special Issue Editor: Kehbuma Langmia, Howard University.