Derrida, Africa, and the Middle East

The north African roots of Jacques Derrida - he was born in Algeria, and lived there until he was nearly twenty - have yet to receive due consideration. Derrida, Africa, and the Middle East investigates the iconic theorist s claim to "Black, Arab, and Jewish" identity, demonstrating for the first time his significance for Africa and the Middle East while remaining mindful of the conflict between these Jewish and Arab heritages. Even as it criticizes Derrida s analyses of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, it shows why Derrida s idiosyncratic politics should not deter his critics. Further, this study reveals similarities between deconstruction and ancient Egypto-African ways of thinking about language, and posits a new critical lineage - one with origins outside the bounds of Greco-Roman thought.

"This text truly opens up the field of African studies . . . Wise uses brilliant examples to support his claim that deconstruction is ready and willing to be incorporated by Afro-Middle Eastern scholars who are searching for a responsible manner to approach politically and emotionally charged questions . . . It is the first of its kind, truly a must-read for anyone wishing to comprehend fully the applicability of Derridian deconstruction on a global scale." - Node Smith, Africa Today

"Apart from its careful dissection of Derrida s work in all its scope, Derrida, Africa, and the Middle East represents a major contribution to the on-going debate of the relations between peoples." - F. Abiola Irele, Visiting Professor of African and African American Studies and of Romance Languages and Literatures, Harvard University

Autorentext
CHRISTOPHER WISE is Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Western Washington University, USA.

Inhalt
Saying Yes to Africa Deconstruction of the Veil Arab-Jew Deconstruction and Zionism The Figure of Jerusalem Conjuration The Secular Trace The Double Gesture Realism without Realism The Wordless "Yes" Deconstruction and the African Trace