Synopsis
This work is a critical examination of Barack Obama’s identity from an Afrocentric perspective. The book does not argue that Obama is African but through a systematic analysis of original data including some major speeches, texts and newspaper representations, it suggests that one of the less researched areas of Obama’s identity—his African heritage—may contribute to a holistic understanding of one of the defining national and global political figures of the 21st century. The Afrocentric Obama and lessons on political campaigning also addresses two other issues: (a) tips or lessons on political campaigning and (b) how Obama’s values could be useful for politics and democracy in Africa and globally. The book is an inter-disciplinary work that straddles media, communication, political, sociological, African and international studies. Overall it contributes to public knowledge on Barack Obama’s personhood in a detailed and contextual manner by deconstructing narratives from an Afrocentric lens. For anyone around the world interested in learning more about Barack Obama’s identity and lessons in political campaigning this would be a useful book. “...gives us a fresh approach to understanding...the man who became America’s first black President.” Stephen Berry, Professor Emeritus, University of Iowa and Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist “Etse Sikanku’s well-researched book offers one explanation for Obama’s success– the political persona, superb image management, and skillful messaging of Barack Hussein Obama. Sikanku argues convincingly that one of the reasons for Obama’s success was his unabashed instrumentalization of his African ancestry–his Africanity–as a tool of political communication.” Prof. Lyombe Eko, Professor, Media Law and International Communication, Texas Tech University “Sikanku identifies, one by one, the building blocks of Obama's life that made him the candidate and president we know…” Thomas Grundmeier, Des Moines Register, (Iowa, USA) “The book offers keen insights to anyone seeking a more thorough understanding of Obama's politics.” Jim Malewitz, Texas Tribune “Dr. Sikanku has written a master-piece that will influence people of all walks of life—politicians, media practitioners, students and the pessimists. This work will surely shape political campaigning globally for years.” —Dr. BossmanAsare, Head—Department of Political Science, University of Ghana “Pretty elucidating.” Evans Mensah, CNN African Journalist, Ghana Journalist Association Award winner and Head of the Political Desk at JOY NEWS. “It leads you on chapter by chapter into a rather absorbing political discourse.” —Gifty Andoh-Appiah, 2013 CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Award—Best TV News Reporter
À propos de l?auteur
Etse Sikanku obtained his PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Iowa. He holds a masters degree from the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, Iowa State University and a BA in Political Science (Major) and Sociology (Minor) from the University of Ghana, Legon. He received the 2011 outstanding doctoral student award for research from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Iowa. In Ghana he worked as a broadcast journalist for CITI fm and reported for the station during the 2008 and 2012 election cycles from the United States. At the Greenlee School he worked as a copy editor, columnist and caucus reporter for the Iowa State Daily. He was also a reporter for the Daily Iowan at the University of Iowa. In 2003, he served as Ghana’s representative to the Commonwealth Youth Caucus. His academic career includes teaching appointments at the University of Ghana Department Of Communication Studies and the Ghana Institute of Journalism. He frequently contributes to public discourse in Ghana as a media and political analyst.
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