Norm R Allen Jr

African-Americans for Humanism

African-Americans for Humanism introduces and encourages the development of humanism throughout communities in the US and in Africa. Norm R. Allen is the Executive Director of African-Americans for Humanism and has been very active in the field for some years.

AFRICAN Americans for Humanism (AAH) spreads the secular humanist message in the black community, and promotes reason and understanding as paths to betterment for African Americans. As well as publishing its own newsletter, AAH Examiner, AAH presents the humanist viewpoint to the African-American media. AAH also works with humanist activists and groups in Sub-Saharan Africa to promote humanist principles and activities in the continent. African Americans for Humanism is a project of the Council for Secular Humanism, and has its headquarters at the Center for Inquiry International, Buffalo, USA.

AAH has gained good publicity on TV and in many newspapers in recent months. For example, in June, 1997, AAH Executive Director Norm R. Allen Jr. was one of the main participants on the nationally televised 'Rolanda' talk show. An AAH Examiner article by Patrick Inniss, titled 'Psychic Friends, Intellectual Enemies', was recently reprinted by several black newspapers. Inniss' article examined the tendency of so-called psychics to aim their advertising at the black community. A news release about Norm Allen's interview with Nobel Laureate and Academy of Humanism member Wole Soyinka in the Fall 1997 issue of Free Inquiry magazine was also picked up by some black newspapers.

AAH is still maintaining ties to numerous African humanist organizations. The Nigerian Humanist Movement of Oyo State, Nigeria has issued a declaration calling for a global ban on landmines. They are now attempting to join the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), and AAH sends them many humanist reading materials.

This winter, Hope N. Tawiah, Chairman of the Rational Centre of Ghana, will meet with humanists of the Center for Inquiry to discuss the future of humanism in Ghana. Tawiah is interested in 'adopting' a local school in Ghana and working closely with children.

Franz Vanderpuye, a journalist and former Rational Centre member, has written several fine articles on traditions and religious practices among Ghanaians, some of which have already appeared in the Examiner. Vanderpuye is also Working on a humanist programme that appears on the Ghanaian Broadcasting Corporation's national television station.

Emmanuel Kofi Mensah, the founder of Action for Humanism in Nigeria, is back in his native Ghana. He is writing articles on the need for humanism in Africa, and has been attempting to start an African humanist network. He is also planning to resume the editorship of Sunrays, a humanist newsletter he edited in 1991.

The Uganda Humanist Association (UHASSO) - headed by Ssekitooleko Deogratias - has won official recognition as a nongovernmental organization (NGO). The group's motto is 'Toward a Free, Humanitarian, and Scientific World', and it is working in conjunction with the Defence for Children International--Uganda (DCI). The two groups will organize a movement, mainly in teacher's training colleges, to oppose corporal punishment administered by teachers to students. To correspond with the Ugandan humanists, write to PO Box 4427, Kampala, Uganda.

These African humanist groups and many others could use the help, literature, moral support, and resources of humanists in wealthy nations.

To help spread the humanist message in Africa, please contact Norm R. Allen Jr. at PO Box 664, Buffalo, New York, 14226-0664, or send email to .

In May, 1997, AAH member Fred Whitehead of Kansas City, Kansas edited a special issue of the scholarly journal Nature, Society, and Thought, published at the University of Minnesota. The issue, on the theme 'Religion and Freethought', included a piece by Norm Allen titled 'Religion and the New African American Intellectuals'. The article examined the views of religiously oriented African American intellectuals and how their religious beliefs influence - and inhibit - their thinking.

Allen has also been asked by the editor of the Encyclopedia of African American Associations to write an entry on AAH for the publication. The encyclopedia gives background information on thousands of African American organizations throughout the US.

AAH member Anthony Pinn teaches religious studies at Macalester College in Minnesota. He has written the book Why, Lord? which explores failed efforts by Christian apologists to reconcile the existence of Black suffering with the belief in an omnipotent, just, and loving God. Pinn offers 'strong' humanism as an alternative to theistic religions.

Pinn has written an article on humanism to be published in Free Inquiry magazine, and is attempting to start an organization of humanist activists who are interested in humanitarian work. He is also editing an anthology on African-American humanism, which will include pieces by other AAH members. And he is working on plans with Allen for a co-authored volume on the praxis and institutional base of AAH.