Challenging Technopoly: The Vision of John Henry

By Ali Rashid Abdullah

And herein lies the irony of the situation, certainly as far as African Americans were concerned. On one hand the machine was regarded as a curse because it represented a threat to employees. But the last hired, first fired employment principle that was applied to African American employees made the machine an even greater threat to them. Then, on the other hand, the machine reduced the amount of human physical exertion required to accomplish a task. Since racist discrimination insured that African Americans would end up with the least desirable, most arduous tasks, machines were then simultaneously viewed as a blessing.
Resolving this conundrum was the dilemma facing the African American worker following the Civil War. The Legend of John Henry was the vehicle African Americans created to set forth their struggle. The legend quickly gave birth to The Ballad of John Henry. And, as such, it functioned as the healing element in a blues piece functions. Referred to as Stompin the Blues, it enables those who partake to overcome the pain of whatever trial or tribulation may have them down.
The legend and the ballad utilized the very powerful format of storytelling to both present the immediate issue as well as to make the timeless point. African Americans of that day were responding to the onset of technopoly via The Legend of John Henry. Today as modern society struggles with weapons of mass destruction and environmental devastation, it should be obvious that John Henry remains the Man of the Moment.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491866528

Ali Rashid Abdullah

Author Ali Rashid Abdullah’s latest work takes us to a crossroad in the evolution of modern society. He suggests we return to the legend of John Henry for direction in a world that has become dominated by the theories of science and the gadgetry of technology. In his work Challenging Technopoly: The Vision of John Henry, Abdullah combines a number of literary elements reminiscent of the manner employed in Harlem Renaissance writer Jean Toomer’s classic novel Cane. He tells two stories. The first is a re-telling of the original Legend of John Henry. The second is an original piece entitled John Henry’s Vision that seeks to reveal the vision latent in the classic legend. Abdullah also presents an essay that examines the basis for John Henry’s oppositional stance against the technological wizardry of his era. Another literary element included is a poignant poem that re-creates the Harlem setting of Abdullah’s childhood where he first encountered the figure of John Henry. As in the original “Legend,” there is a challenge being put forth here in Abdullah’s work -- a challenge that questions the notion of science and technology being our primary source of wisdom and our irrefutable voice of authority. Indeed, rather than discarding John Henry’s ideas as “old-fashioned,” Abdullah perceives them to be right on time.

Book preview

CHALLENGING TECHNOPOLY

THE VISION

OF

JOHN HENRY

ALI RASHID ABDULLAH

Illustrated by Avery Liell-Kok

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©

2014 Ali Rashid Abdullah. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/28/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4918-6651-1 (sc)

        978-1-4918-6652-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014903224

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

The Legend of John Henry

When Harlem Loved Me

Man of the Moment

John Henry’s Vision

About the Author:

To Durriyya

Your faith and encouragement have been my sustenance.

Acknowledgements

Challenging Technopoly: The Vision of John Henry is an excerpt from a manuscript I am currently in the process of concluding. The subject is the evolving identity of the Black/African American ex-slave people of the United States of America. In the course of these writings, I have come to see John Henry as a pivotal character in this evolution.

I must note that during this heyday of technological adaptation, my perspective is not always well-received, to say the least. Consequently, I want to express my gratitude to the following individuals who have been a source of assistance and encouragement in this project.

I’ll begin by thanking my daughters Rahil Abdullah-Lewis and Salima Abdullah-Kleiber; my friends and associates Ali Abdur-Rashid, Hassan Idris Abdur-Rahman, Jim Phillips, Majeedah Shabazz, and Kweli Tutashinda for their efforts and assistance.

I am especially indebted to author Scott Reynolds Nelson for his revealing work on John Henry entitled Steel Drivin’ Man. I found both confirmation and inspiration in this