SOURCE: Mphahlele, Ezekiel. “Négritude—A Reply.” In Critical Perspectives on Léopold Sédar Senghor, edited by Janice Spleth, pp. 31-5. Colorado Springs, Colo.: Three Continents Press, 1993.

In the following essay, originally published in 1965, Mphahlele, known for his opposition to the concept of Negritude as it was defined by Senghor and others, responds by pointing out that for him, Negritude is a socio-political movement with a set place in history; it is not, however, a concept that can or should encompass African literature and art.

[Editor's note: The following remarks were made during the conference on “African Literature and the University Curriculum” held at the University of Dakar in 1963. They respond to Wendell A. Jeanpierre's comments on “Negritude and Its Enemies” and indirectly to President Senghor's opening address.]

Yesterday I was personally attacked by someone because of my views against négritude. He charged me, in effect...