Na'im Akbar (Finding Aid)

Na'im Akbar

1944 -

Favorite Color: Gold

Favorite Food: Cauliflower and Okra

Favorite Time of Year: Autumn

Favorite Vacation Spot: Ghana

Interview Length: 200 minutes

Interview Date(s): April 22, 2002

Interview Location(s): Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahasse, FL, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL

Abstract

Psychologist Na'im Akbar discusses his family members, specifically his parents, his aunt, his maternal granparents, and his paternal grandparents. He discusses how his parents first met during World War II. Akbar remembers his childhood neighborhood in Tallahassee, Florida during the fifties and sixties. Specifically, Akbar discusses how his childhood memories of traveling, education, and theater have impacted his adult life. Psychologist and professor Na'im Akbar describes his childhood and youth in Tallahassee, Florida. Akbar talks about the positive influence of the city's black community, naming mentors and role models. Akbar also describes his life as a student in Tallahassee's school system, explaining his emphasis on education, and discussing his extracurricular activities. Akbar then recalls the Tallahassee bus boycott of 1956. Psychologist Na'im Akbar explains his experience of the 1956 Tallahassee Bus Boycott as a teenager. He reflects on the reactions of his community to the demonstrations. In addition, he remembers feeling helpless and his fear of the whites' responses. Akbar also discusses his initial fear of competing with whites when he was admitted to the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor in 1961. Finally, he reflects on the relations between black and white students on this campus and the campus of Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Psychologist Na'im Akbar briefly discusses the resistance to Black Studies in higher education. He discusses his decision to major in psychology in college and, in addition, some of his early research mentors at the University of Michigan. Akbar also discusses the social environment of the 1960s and how this influenced his African centered psychology research goals, which ultimately included his dissertation research. Akbar also remembers confronting his own feelings of racial inferiority while at college. Finally, Akbar briefly mentions his joining the Association of Black Psychologists and his birth name, Luther Weems, Jr. Psychologist Na'im Akbar details his experiences as a faculty member at Morehouse College in the mid-1970s. He describes how he was introducted to the Nation of Islam and, additionally, why he decided to join. Akbar also discusses how the teachings of the Nation of Islam corresponded to his paradigm of Black Psychology. Furthermore, Akbar discusses his role in the development of Black Psychology as a discipline. Finally, he discusses his move to Chicago, Illinois in 1975 to focus his work on the Nation of Islam. Psychologist Na'im Akbar discusses his experiences working for the Nation of Islam in Chicago, Illinois duing the mid-1970s. Additionally, he discusses the process by which he met and married his wife as a member of the Nation of Islam. Akbar discusses his experience as a faculty member at Norfolk State University and his subsequent move to his current university, Florida State University in 1979. Akbar details his crucial role in the development of Black Psychology as well as his involvement in the Association of Black Psychologists. Finally, Akbar discusses the role of black psychologists and the African American community's changing opinions of psychologists. Psychologist Na'im Akbar discusses the cultural differences among blacks and whites. In addition, he discusses the potential of the Black Church and Black Psychologists working together. He also discusses the differences between Eurocentric and Afrocentric Psychology. Akbar also describes his hopes and concerns for the black community, his legacy and how he wants to be remembered. Finally, Akbar shares a multitude of personal photographs.

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