Globalization and the Jenda Journal

Abstract

Our conceptualization of JENDA: A Journal of Culture and African Women Studies was guided by two main objectives: the first is to create a space from which to theorize our experiences, presently marginalized in today’s global context of unequal economic relations; and the second is to wrest ourselves from the mould of stereotypical assumptions in which this international economic order and its attendant culture of hierarchy have cast us. We chose to publish online because it offers an immediate and cost-effective way to reach a global audience. We can take our issues directly to our audience without being subjected to the demeaning practices in place in the publishing industry. The standard practice is for white scholars to be editors of journals devoted to African studies, although occasionally, a few African males are thrown into the editorial board to create an illusion of inclusion. Given this racialization policy and the industry’s seeming preference for scholarship that is mired in pathologies,1 it is unlikely that the established publishing houses will invest resources in a journal with an all-African women team of co-editors that will not pursue an agenda of devaluing Africa. Because we are aware of these prejudices toward Africa and an all-African woman editorial group, we have chosen to take our issues directly to a global audience rather than give credibility to practices that denigrate our personhood.