For 50 years, the anthropologist Joel Augustus Rogers researched Black history throughout the world. He traveled to 60 countries, mostly at his own expense. Rogers, a secular humanist, embraced evolutionary theory, promoted good science, and brilliantly critiqued pseudoscience. He routinely proclaimed, “there is but one race, the human race.” He spoke at rallies of Marcus Garvey’s Universal Improvement Association (U.N.I.A.) and influenced Malcolm X, Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie, and many other highly influential persons of African descent.
Cheikh Anta Diop was a Senegalese multi-genius, physicist and Egyptologist. He embraced evolutionary theory and, along with W.E.B. Du Bois, was regarded as the greatest scholar of African descent of the 20th century. He rejected paranormal claims such as clairvoyance, psycho- kinesis, telepathy, etc. He said that the discovery of such phenomena would require a complete revolution in the way scientists look at the world.
David Howard-Pitney, writing about Frederick Douglass in my first book, African-American Humanism: An Anthology, wondered how the great abolitionist would have turned out had he come of age during the publication of Darwin’s work on evolution. It is a fascinating question. Douglass became a strong critic of White Christianity, in particular, and a forceful defender of church/state separation. If he and numerous other great thinkers and activists would have had the benefit of evolutionary theory as they were growing up, their worldview could have been greatly influenced for the better.
Last, but not least, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson is an agnostic and a strong proponent of evolutionary theory. Tyson is the director of the Hayden Planetarium in Washington, D.C., and the host of Nova scienceNow on PBS. He has critiqued Intelligent Design theory. He notes that, just as there is order in the universe, there is also much disorder. Indeed, he suggests that “the universe is trying to kill us,” with natural catastrophes, meteorites, near-collisions with other heavenly bodies, etc. He also points out that if human bodies were designed by some kind of Creator, we must talk of “stupid design,” rather than Intelligent Design. In other words, our bodies, with all of their flaws, look exactly as we would expect them to look were they the product of evolution by natural selection, rather than the design of a perfect God.
Intelligent Design is not just a problem in the U.S. It is gaining popularity in Britain, Jamaica, Africa, and other parts of the world. However, proponents of evolution are everywhere.
In Africa, Leo Igwe of the Nigerian Humanist Movement was the first to popularize Darwin Day celebrations in Africa. He continued to do so even during his most trying days.
Indeed, a few years ago, Igwe was involved in a campaign to save children from persecution by witch hunters in Nigeria. As a result of his efforts, he was physically attacked, robbed, harassed by Nigerian authorities, and eventually sued (unsuccessfully) by one of Africa’s most notorious witch hunters.
At the same time, Igwe was defending a rape victim. The alleged rapist made false charges against Igwe, leading to the harassment of Igwe and his family, and the severe beating of his father.
Through all of this, Igwe persevered and the Darwin Day celebration went on as planned. He would not allow his personal misfortune to derail a great opportunity to promote good science and to honor one of history’s greatest scientists.
In Kenya, organized humanists celebrate Darwin Day, complete with birthday cakes. Scholars deliver important lectures on college campuses and many students attend the gatherings.
In Uganda, members of the Ugandan Humanist Association (UHASSO) have promoted Darwin Day for 2012. Members have signed petitions to promote the idea and spread the word far and wide.
Opposition to evolution is just part of a reaction to the fact that many conservative religionists in particular do now want any challenges to their deeply cherished worldview. This is why, even at this late date, conservative religionists are opposing birth control. Moreover, they are opposing same-sex marriages, anti-bullying measures against LGBTQ people, the first Black President of the U.S., immigration, etc. To only be concerned about defending evolution is to miss the point that evolution is just one issue among many that irks reactionary religious individuals and institutions. Opposition to evolution is just one issue in their program to turn back the hands of time.
Humanists and progressives must understand that their worldview is under attack be reactionary forces. Embracing the celebration of Darwin Day is a victory for good science; but it is also a victory for genuine progress, in general. For Blacks, in particular, fighting against scientific illiteracy is a most pressing challenge, and one that all must strive to overcome. Celebrating Darwin Day is a great place to start.
[This article is based on a talk I gave to the Society of Ontario Freethinkers in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, on February 11, 2012. The topic was “Evolving Beyond God: Why Africa Matters.”]