Dr. Robert Hanserd

Interview by Fannie Rabinowitz
 
Introduction
A couple of semesters ago, I took a class with Dr. Hanserd here at Columbia. The focus was on African American history, specifically the Atlantic slave trade. I enjoyed the class, and I thought this interview would be an excellent way to give a little insight into Black World Studies. I believe it is essential to have a well-rounded understanding of all history from all perspectives.
 
Dr. Hanserd is very passionate about his work; he showcases his wealth of knowledge in his book and his classes. 
 
 
How did you get involved with African World Studies? 
Actually, I have always been fascinated by history and Africa, particularly as a small boy.  I became formally involved in African studies through my prior work developing and implementing African centered social justice, mentorship, and entrepreneurial programming for non-profits here in the city of Chicago. I took my first trip about 20 years ago to Ghana that coincided with my graduate research of West African, Atlantic and African American history and culture.
 
What drew you to West Africa and the Atlantic World? Is there something specific about the western countries that captured your interest? 
The untold and unrecognized histories of Africans within this Atlantic world—not just as slaves—that is essential to unpacking memory and heritage of African Americans. I emphasized West and Central Africa because people from those regions arrived as captives to the Americas in larger numbers than those from other areas. And it is the varying cultures of those regions (e.g., Akan, Mande, or Bakongo) who engendered black and American identities.  
 
Let me shift to your newest book, Identity, Spirit and Freedom in the Atlantic World 
The Gold Coast and the African Diaspora.  When it came to gathering information and planning the layout of the book, what was your process? 
My approach applied oral, archival, and other interdisciplinary evidence from West Africa and the Americas to analyses of new world Maroons, slaves, and free blacks. It examines a “Gold Coast” entrepot of Akan, Ga, Guan, and other peoples in an Atlantic era of non-linear, mutable intersection of contested history and culture. West African cosmologies, regional statecraft and socio-cultural practice contributed to Atlantic ideas of freedom, identity and spirituality. Thus, myth and histories of Ɔkomfo Anokye, exemplified seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Afro-Atlantic propagations of spirituality and worldview. In mainland and Caribbean colonies, slavery, enlightenment notions of liberty and Christianity impacted African delineations of independence, slavery, affiliation and belief. Archival researches of British, Dutch and Danish Atlantic thoroughfares exhibited histories of royals, priests and others remade as captive laborers, Maroons and free blacks. The book combines extant evidence with newer interdisciplinary insights to reconsider these under-recognized histories and actors. The lives of unnamed men and women spiritualists, conspirators or others in Africa and America elicited potsherds of history. Amid Akwamu’s overtaking of Great Accra, Jamaica’s Maroon Wars, the 1712 Rebellion in New York and many others examples, Gold Coast diasporas variably resonated Atlantic evolutions of identity and spirituality in freedom pursuits.
 
While researching your book, was there anything interesting that you discovered?  Do you have any anecdotes you’d like to share?
The graphic and incredibly real historical accounts of unnamed African men, women and their descendants. They drew upon resiliencies to survive and in some instances thrive amidst abysmal circumstances.  
 
I remember you mentioned in class about traveling to Africa often, specifically Ghana. Are there any other African countries you’ve visited? Do you have a favorite? 
Ghana is my favorite place; I maintain a strong connection there. I have spent some time in Togo and Benin also.  
 
What is your ideal writing environment?  Do you have a specific place that helps you focus?
No social media, no TV, any quiet place, a good topic to stimulate and I am ready to write.
 
Do you have any advice for a young historian? 
Creative study and production are great ways to investigate the past. Here at Columbia, I would encourage you to take any history course that you are interested in regardless of region culture or history.  
 
Is there something you would like to share that I haven’t asked you?
No, thanks for taking the time to interview me about my work.
 
Identity, Spirit and Freedom in the Atlantic World 
The Gold Coast and the African Diaspora
Routledge; 1st edition
ISBN #: 978-1138104099
232 Pages
 
Interviewer Bio: Fannie Rabinowitz is a writer and graphic artist raised in Madison, WI, and currently based out of Chicago, Il. She is currently a production editor for Hair Trigger 43, a fiction magazine at Columbia College Chicago.