Afrocentricity is described as shifting the narrative from the white man’s point of view to the African American perspective. This is so important because African Americans are consistently viewed throughout history from the colonizer’s perspective, which makes the story one sided and does not allow us to understand everything that occurred. Dr. Molefi Kete Asante explains this theory in his article titled Afrocentricity. Asante states, “We must be prepared to act upon our interpretation of what is in the best interest of black people, that is, black people as a historically oppressed population. This is the fundamental necessity for advancing the political process.” This shows how Afrocentricity isn’t just about putting yourself in the right mindset but also acting on what needs to be done to make the world a better place. We can conclude that the main point of changing the narrative is to tell your own story and have a voice. Once we can look outside ourselves and gain the strength to write our history books, we may finally be free of the prejudice prevalent in society today and throughout history.
We can see how cultural artifacts have been a driving force for the voices of the oppressed to be heard from even before the 1950s when freedom songs were introduced in the textbook “Let Nobody Turn us Around” on page 372, we can see how the arts gave a voice to the voiceless. These songs were sung as unofficial theme songs for the marchers’ movement. “Music, folklore, and poetry have always been important windows in understanding African Americans’ political culture and history. During the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, “freedom songs” served many functions: they promoted solidarity, increased faith, expressed sorrow, and strengthened the wills of movement activists.” Because these songs were used to show the power the protesters had, it gave African Americans a voice when their lips were being sewn closed. They gave the protestors a sense of community, allowing them to take back the narrative and write it from their perspective. The theory of Afrocentricity is trying to understand everything from your perspective and challenging the majority’s ordinary ideas. This seems like a difficult task when done by yourself. Still, it appears that it is much easier when you have a group of people surrounding you who are ready to accept your point of view of the oppression you’re facing, which is why the sense of community that is shown through the connection of Music is so important. A song that allows us to understand how powerful Music was in the fight against oppression is “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” by the freedom singers, which was used as a kind of theme song or one could even say war cry.
The words we write, if written correctly, can show the oppression that so many feel. The poem “All I want” by Vfredyy is so detailed that it forces you to feel the emotion linked with the words he says “Hearts that are incapable of standing the fight. The fight for survival and real motives of life. Life is far different from mental oppression and attitudinal captivity. Captivity, yes, we are all captives to ill-mannerism. Mannerism that deviated our cry for Africanism, a change in our behaviors. Our behaviors are closely knitted to who we are and our perceptions. Blindly, some perceptions presume that perfection floods the West. The West is gifted, the creator is never biased, and nor is Africa too.” he shows us how African Americans have to be healthy and free themselves from the oppression present in their minds and the world. Modern History tells us how rugged the West is. Still, he wants to show African Americans how strong Africa is and how they don’t need to follow the guidelines that the white man has set out for them because they are different and should be embraced fully with open arms.

All i ever wanted is not Gold
And if ever say silver, then am lying
All i want is a glass
A glass full of water but not liquor
Liquor is for the weak hearts
Hearts that are incapable to stand the fight
The fight for survival and real motives of life
Life far different from mental oppression and attitudinal captivity
Captivity, yes we are all captives to ill-mannerism
Mannerism that deviated our cry for Africanism, a change in our behaviors
Our behaviors are closely knitted to who we are and our perceptions
Blindly, some perceptions presume that perfection floods the West
The West is gifted, the creator is never bias, and so is Africa too
Onyame nadwen nye onipa nadwen

Give me a stand then a Canvas
Give me a brush then many red and black paints
I want to paint a picture, a photograph of Africa
That is beautified by a patterning lightening
Maybe i will show where the safaris are
And where the lions and snakes thread
I will tell of mount Uhuru where we won our freedom
Notse where our shackles were broken and liberty smiled on us
The many dark tints depicts where our hearts rest
And where the mamagawo and Togbuiwo danced to the agbedefu tunes
I will paint Mandiba, Soyinka, Jomo, Kwame, Biko and Kidjoe
You can blame me for sarcasm but all i am is but just a painter
And all i will ever need to paint a good photograph is time
All i want is Time

All i want is Life
Life to understand and hear these little ones speak great grammars
Grammars that change unheard events to theatrical dramas
Dramas that dawn on the first day of every summer
Ever summer, in the sand i have to build a wall
A wall that restricts me from my addiction
My addiction is nothing but smoking
Yes smoking, am always seen smoking the pipe of peace
Peace, but i see meant nothing to the war-borne
As the avadadawo, abrafowo and tanganyikas sing war songs
All i ever seen through the brouhaha is a liberal feeling and a mind full of peace
All i need is peace but all i ever wanted is life

The photo illustrated below is of great importance. It shows us a powerful black woman being able to fully embrace her culture and her side of history while creating her idea of what has happened. She is being herself and allowing her mind to be opened to understand the importance of her perspective. When this is possible for a person, they have achieved the theory of Afrocentricity.

Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around – YouTube. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2020, from

All I Want by Vfredyy. (n.d.). Retrieved December 07, 2020, from https://allpoetry.com/poem/12578664-All-I-Want-by-Vfredyy
Afrocentricity. (n.d.). Retrieved December 07, 2020, from http://www.asante.net/articles/1/afrocentricity/
Marable, M., & Mullings, L. (2009). Let nobody turn us around: Voices of resistance, reform, and renewal: An African American anthology. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.