When you are African-centred, it means to embrace everything and to recognise an alternative frame of reference to the Eurocentric one.

If anyone has the credentials to offer advice on personal development that is culturally relevant to us as African people then it is Dr Sandra Richards. As an African-centred academic, she exchanges the dominant Eurocentric worldview with one that places Africa and Africans at the centre of consciousness and understanding. She lectures extensively on personal development; she is a culturally sensitive counsellor, Chief Executive of EAT (Education Africa Teaching), the Founder of SPACE (Spiritual Place for African Caribbean Enlightenment), a Patron of NIEC (the National Independent Education Coalition), writer with Nex Generation magazine and a broadcaster with Colourful Radio.

Speaking to Black Britain about her perspective, she said: “When you are African-centred, it means to embrace everything and to recognise an alternative frame of reference to the Eurocentric one.” This is the precisely the approach Dr Richards has taken with her new book The Journey. Western society and culture tends to compartmentalize different aspects of our lives, so that professional development is often dealt with quite separately from personal growth. But according to Dr Richards: “Personal and professional development are two sides of the same coin,” and as such need to be dealt with holistically for us to be whole and to reach our full potential.

But in a culture that does not place emphasis on holistic development, many people often pursue professional success obtaining a good education, professional qualifications and career progression, whilst totally ignoring the personal aspects of their lives. For us especially as African people where we are faced with institutionalised racism and discrimination, personal development is essential to help us deal with the adversities that we encounter. Dr Richards said that the book “is not a magic wand, but a tool to stimulate areas that are not normally stimulated.”

The Journey provides a positive framework for parenting

Many people do not talk about intimate behaviour openly but their children are engaging in it. My book advocates a conversation about the sacredness of [intimacy].

The Journey is structured into six chapters including studying, parenting, education inclusion, rites of passage and self-development and mature sexual discovery. One of the problems that confront African parents is a clash of cultures in terms of child-rearing techniques. Western society affords so many freedoms to children and young people that they are emotionally unready for and parents who try to discipline their children are often accused of ‘abusing’ their offspring. Dr Richards advocates that African parents must use their own cultural frames of reference to raise their children successfully.

One area she examines is sexuality. “Many people do not talk about intimate behaviour openly but their children are engaging in it. My book advocates a conversation about the sacredness of [intimacy] and about the importance of being clear when we are making decisions about ourselves,” she said. Dr Richards believes that too much emphasis is placed on authority outside the home, which is why her book offers a framework for parenting which she terms “herbs and spices,” an acronym for healthy, scientific social interaction.

In addition to providing an alternative framework for parenting, Dr Richards believes that the book is also a useful tool for individuals as it helps them to identify areas where there is a lack of understanding and promotes action towards self-development. She also recommends the book for couples who are just getting to know each other so that they can take the journey together to examine how they both feel about certain issues, such as sexual intimacy.

It covers professional “inclusive practice,” taking a theory and putting it into practice and there are also blank pages designed to act as a journal for readers to reflect on their lives, what they have learnt from the book and to write about the issues that they find stimulating. There is also a chapter called Rites of Passage which covers all the stages and experiences in the lifecycle, including death, which is a natural occurrence, but which in western society is often feared.

In many African cultures education is not merely about going to school, taking exams and being awarded certificates – it is about educating the whole person and teaching them everything they need to understand to become a fully functional member of the society. The Journey takes the same approach in trying to re-educate adults holistically. As Dr Richards explained: “This book is about helping us to be our whole selves…I’m trying to stimulate people to elevate themselves.”

ISBN 9781905163083
Price £12.99