A professor of History and Interdisciplinary Studies, and director of the African, Black and Caribbean Studies Program at Adelphi University, Dr. Marsha Darling has long been one of the most socially-committed African American scholars and intellectuals in the country. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Darling was an English major at Vassar College before attending Duke University, where she earned a Master’s degree in history and anthropology and her doctorate in history/oral history. During a recent appearance at a National Action Network Conference, Darling spoke about the role of engaged intellectuals in regards to addressing societal concerns.
“I think these are very intense times, but they’re intense for a number of reasons,” Darling stated. “As a trained historian, I look at the full spectrum of our human experience, and i often ask myself ’50 years from now, how will we be perceived?’ What are the questions they will ask about our engagement with our communities. Will they talk about us as the first generation…outside of the really austere, restrictive covenants of Jim Crow…how did we spend the critical period coming away from rigid formalized Jim Crow to still, a very racialized America and an America that is also class stratified.”
“I’ve committed myself over a number of decades now to direct advocacy, as either an expert witness or someone who has helped launch plaintiff engagements with the powers-that-be, in enforcing voting rights here in teh country for various districts and municiipalities.”
Darling has long educated students and others on the history of the global black experience, specifically examining the long tradition of social movements that have been at the crux of that experience. She believes that active participation and engagement are key if an intellectual truly considers themselves to be a change agent.
“I’m on the page of the engaged intellectual,” Darling shared, “the actually engaged intellectual–in furthering the rightful and beloved community.”
