Partisan universalism

The collection of essays in Partisan Universalism celebrates the work of Ato Sekyi-Otu, a scholar, teacher and friend, marking his extraordinary contribution to the philosophy, politics and praxis of liberation. As Ato Sekyi-Otu has argued in his recent book, Left Universalism, Africacentric Essays (Routlege 2019), universalism is an 'inescapable presupposition of ethical judgment in general and critique in particular, especially indispensable for radical criticism of conditions of existence in postcolonial society and for vindicating visions of social regeneration'. Universalism must and can only be partisan. "Responding to the invitation 'to re-member severed but shareable things', these lovers oftruth, freedom, and dignity celebrate the searing intellect, generosity, wit, and compassion of the person and the scholar Ato Sekyi-Otu. ... this is a precious contribution. Not to be missed!" -Jane Anna Gordon, author ofStatelessness and Contemporary Enslavementand co-editor (with Drucilla Cornell) ofCreolizing Rosa Luxemburg. / "Critically engaging Ato Sekyi-Otu'snotion of partisan universalism, this timely volume of essays speaks directly to the onto-metaphysical issues that will give Africana thought the new foundations that will enable it to move beyond the linguistic turn, brush aside the ashes of Afro-pessimism. ... A must read for all concerned with the future of Africana theory and praxis."-Paget Henry, author of Caliban's Reason/ "Ato Sekyi-Otu's thought is one of the most important and exciting in Africa today. The texts compiled in this volume celebrate and engage with the work of Sekyi-Otu ... They bear eloquent witness to Sekyi-Otu's stature as a thinker and to his consistent commitment to the universalization of humanity in both theory and practice." - Michael Neocosmos, Emeritus Professor in the Humanities, Rhodes University, South Africa.