Discrimination African Americans

Running Head: African AmericansAfrican Americans

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Table of Content TOC o “1-3” h z u HYPERLINK l “_Toc255746696” Running Head: Discrimination: African Americans PAGEREF _Toc255746696 h 1

HYPERLINK l “_Toc255746697” Table of Content PAGEREF _Toc255746697 h 2

HYPERLINK l “_Toc255746698” Abstract PAGEREF _Toc255746698 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc255746699” Introduction PAGEREF _Toc255746699 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc255746700” Historical Background PAGEREF _Toc255746700 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc255746701” Theories, methods, and research in cross-cultural awareness related to African American Population PAGEREF _Toc255746701 h 6

HYPERLINK l “_Toc255746702” Influence of culture on attitudes, values, perceptions, human behavior, and interpersonal relations related to African Americans PAGEREF _Toc255746702 h 7

HYPERLINK l “_Toc255746703” Problems facing African Americans PAGEREF _Toc255746703 h 7

HYPERLINK l “_Toc255746704” Addressing the situation PAGEREF _Toc255746704 h 9

HYPERLINK l “_Toc255746705” Action Plan PAGEREF _Toc255746705 h 10

HYPERLINK l “_Toc255746706” Personal Competencies PAGEREF _Toc255746706 h 11

HYPERLINK l “_Toc255746707” Importance of the Course PAGEREF _Toc255746707 h 11

HYPERLINK l “_Toc255746708” References PAGEREF _Toc255746708 h 12

AbstractCultural awareness is an important aspect that greatly influences various interactions in the modern world. This is particularly important especially considering the fact that the global population is increasingly becoming heterogonous. It goes a long way in preventing conflicts that stem from misinterpretation of cultural issues. More over, it makes individuals to understand why they behave in specific ways. Most importantly, cultural awareness makes such individuals to devise sustainable efforts that enable them to address the challenges that emanate from these interactions. This can only be attained if they appreciate the various cultural aspects that shape their attitudes, beliefs, behaviors and their general personality. The Americans of African decent are faced with various challenges that are related to their culture. Notably, their cultural ideals differ considerably from those of the White population. Considering the fact that the laws employed in governance tend to reflect the culture of the dominant population, African Americans have in most instances found themselves in conflict with the law.

IntroductionCultural awareness amongst the Black American population is a vital component that enables the same to interact effectively with the rest of the population. This is because of the fact that it enables the respective individuals to understand and appreciate various values, beliefs, attitudes and perceptions that characterize their behaviors. This understanding is innately imperative in enhancing of harmonic co existence as possible conflicts are prevented in a timely manner. Cultural studies ascertain that attaining cultural awareness and the relative dynamics is usually a difficult task because of the fact that culture is not conscious to individuals. Nevertheless, to be able to rise above their cultural challenges, understanding of their culture is inevitable.

Historical BackgroundThe culture of African Americans is posited to have its roots In Africa. Over time it has been increasingly shaped by the historical experience that the Africans went through. In particular, slavery has been cited to have contributed to the development of the current culture of this population (Hawkins & Williams, 2007). Despite having been exposed to American ideals over a long period, recent research ascertains that this population still upholds important aspects of its culture. In particular, their respective traditions, values, practices and beliefs continue to impact in various ways to their wellbeing. However, it is notable that some of these have changed as a result of being blended with the American culture. These are manifested through various aspects of their social life that include religion, cuisine, literature, arts as well as music. In his review, Holt (2010) implicates racial discrimination to be responsible for the inherent differences of the American African culture irrespective of its having existed in the country for a long period of time.

With regard to the implications of racial discrimination on culture, Holt (2010) contends that this ideology dates back to over two centuries. It lasted for over a period of two hundred and fifty years and was originally employed by the Americans to maltreat the African slaves as a justification for their enslavement. During this time, the African slaves were vulnerable because they lacked independence, ability to establish viable human relationships, and had low intelligence as well as morality. In his review, Aries (2008) argues that these attributions greatly influenced the inhuman treatment that the African captives were accorded. This treatment was extended to their offspring that were also exposed to similar dehumanizing conditions.

Nevertheless, Alquire, Gerald and Vijay (2008) indicate that legal measures were undertaken after the civil war and racial discrimination was considered illegal. Notably, this is also a time when slavery was stopped. However, racism against this segment of the population still persists to date. This is exemplified through various incidences with the most profound being the lynching of numerous African Americans. The entire society considers the population to be inferior the extent that studies cites that the ‘badness of blackness’ has increasingly become the unifying factor for the population since time immemorial.

Currently, the population suffers from oppression and discrimination in almost all facets of their lives. For instance, recent statistics show that Americans of African decent continue to suffer discrimination at the work place. Further, this discrimination is also manifested through hostile face to face interactions and discrimination in the delivery of elemental social services and in education institutions. Despite the fact that politics and media contend that the situation has improved through time, the minority populations do not express similar optimism. The expansive and deep rooted nature of the practice has made it difficult for it to be effectively uprooted from the society.

Theories, methods, and research in cross-cultural awareness related to African American PopulationAs the American population becomes increasingly heterogeneous, the Black Americans continue to face innumerable challenges that stem from lack of effective understanding their culture. Notably, most of the policies attitudes and interactions reflect the ideals of the predominant white population. In addition, various laws that are used in governance reflect the culture of the White population. Thus in most instances, the African Americans unknowingly find themselves in the wrong side of the law. Cummings (2009) posits that this explains why they are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. It is in this regard that it is considered very important for the African Americans to be informed about their cultural identity. This would be instrumental in helping them to cope with the various challenges with ease. In his research that was conducted in North Carolina, Chandler (2008) ascertains that lack of understanding of the African American by the same has led to racial hostility and frustration.

Various models have been put forth to help the Black Americans to cope with the cultural challenges that they face in their day to day lives. One such theory is the Afro centric Cultural identity model that was put forth by Molefi Asante (Cummings, 2009). This lays greater emphasis on the empowerment of the black population through development of their cultural consciousness. In particular, it analyzes the traditional values and principles and employs the same in reconstructing the racial identity of this population.

Another theory that has made significant contributions to this is the Cross Negro to Black Conversion model that was proposed by William Cross. In this, he indicates that development of appositive racial identity requires this population to go through development, growth and discovery. This process according to him comprises of five successive phases that include pre encounter, meeting, immersion, internalization and steadfastness (Cunnings, 2009).

Influence of culture on attitudes, values, perceptions, human behavior, and interpersonal relations related to African AmericansNotably, the culture of African Americans shapes various aspects of their interactions and holistic wellbeing. To begin with, it is certain that it impacts upon their attitudes and therefore influences their interactions in various ways.

The culture of African Americans also influences the values that they uphold in the society. Notably, their value system differs significantly from that of the White population and has various implications on the way that they perceive different aspects of the society.

In his review, Callan (2007) cites that for instance, while drug use and abuse is considered a behavioral constraint by the entire society, most Americans of African decent consider it a normal aspect of their culture. This explains why they are over represented in the criminal justice system. In addition, the traditional value system such as polygamy has seen most of the African Americans be involved in infidelity issues. At this point, it is worth acknowledging that this has had indirect effects on their interpersonal relationships. Of great reference is the subsequent frustration and cultural hostility that stems from the lack of appreciation of their culture by the entire population.

Problems facing African AmericansThe implications of discrimination that stems of misinterpretation of important cultural aspects of the African American population have been wide and varied. To begin with, Brown-glaude (2009) indicates that this has contributed significantly to health disparities that are experienced by the population. Statistical evidence shows that the African Americans tend to experience higher incidences of heart disease, blood pressure as well as stroke than the rest of the population. Also, Barton (2006) cites that the behavioral and social repercussions of discrimination have also been adverse. In this regard, medical records ascertain that the rate of African American population seeking psychotherapy after being diagnosed for tension, rage and depression that stems from discrimination has soared in the recent past.

Perhaps the most affected group of individuals have been students whose performance has been affected by the negative treatment that they are accorded by their teachers and fellow students. In his review, Callan (2007) indicates that students that are discriminated against for reasons of race tend to develop a low self esteem that affects their holistic performance in academics. This is particularly detrimental if the attitudes are assumed by teachers. They lack the vital motivation to maintain competitiveness in academics.

In addition, they are deprived of a chance to interact with other students who form the majority of the population. It is indicated this usually has adverse effects on the behavioral development of such students. In his study undertaken in Maryland, Holt (2010) found out that students experiencing discrimination are twice more likely to engage in social deviance than their counterparts. Specific behavioral problems that they experience range from drug use and abuse, racial identity problems and violent sexual behavior. Notably, involvement in these behavioral constraints is usually a mode of response to the discrimination and oppression that they experience.

Chandler (2008) also posits that discriminating has had negative impacts on the wellbeing of the African Americans. In most instances, they are denied a chance to participate in satisfactory employment irrespective of the fact that they meet the required qualifications. This makes them to opt for low paying jobs that add to their frustration and undermine their productivity. Even at the work place, they are given limited chances to make career advancements. In this regard, Hawkins and William (2007) note that they are seldom given scholarships by the organizations they work for to further higher education like their White counterparts. Comparatively, their rewards are menial and their possibility of getting salary increments is also limited. This has negative impacts on their performance as they are not motivated to produce optimal output.

This is further compounded by the demeaning work environments that they are exposed to. A study conducted by Alquire et al (2008) indicated that they are often required to work for long hours without sufficient pay. Usually, they agree to these conditions because they have limited options. In addition, Holt (2010) cites that they are often denied a chance to participate actively in organizational decision making. This is irrespective of the fact that the decisions made at different levels affect them directly.

Addressing the situationFrom the preceding analysis, it is certain that the Black population in America is faced various challenges that are occasioned by limited cross cultural awareness of not only the Blacks themselves but also the entire population. These can be traced back to the era of slavery and it can be contended that despite the efforts that have been undertaken over time, the ideology is still rooted in the society. This in return has had far reaching implications on the overall wellbeing of the Black population. The challenges disadvantage them and undermine their ability to compete favorably with the rest of the population. This explains why they continue to lag enwind with regard to economic and social development.

From the theoretical basis, it is certain that his even increases their probability of engaging in criminal activities such as drug abuse. This further increases their susceptibility to discrimination. At this juncture, it is notable that the scenario is complex and is augmented by numerous mutually reinforcing factors. It has culminated in a web that can not be easily extricated. Nevertheless, there are certain measures that can be undertaken to enhance the interaction with this population in the professional sphere.

Action PlanThe field of psychology is usually characterized by various interactions with persons from a diverse background. Based on this knowledge, it would be imperative to employ various personal competencies in ensuring that discrimination is addressed at all levels. To begin with, I would ensure that I understand the cultural background of all the minority groups before assuming professional duties. This would be attained through training and would be instrumental in enabling me to maintain a high degree of objectivity during execution of duties.

Of great importance would be to change the attitudes and learn to appreciate all individual, irrespective of the cultural differences. Despite being attained through education, it is posited that this can also be attained through frequent interaction with the same. Thus I would join organizations working with the minority populations such as the non profit oriented organizations. This experience would sharpen my skills and help me understand the various cultural aspects that define their wellbeing.

Personal CompetenciesIn order to effectively deal with the various challenges that are related to the culture of African Americans, It is important to exercise various key competencies that would enhance effective interaction. The first step in this regard would be to admit lack of knowledge regarding the specific cultural aspects of the same. In this respect, it is posited that this would be instrumental in avoiding reliance on assumptions that could be unfounded. Notably, this is the first step of attaining knowledge about the given culture. It prompts constant review of vital assumptions that shape our attitudes and behavior towards the population.

The next step would be to suspend all forms of judgments regarding the African American culture. This can only be attained if any judgments made in this regard are based on objective information. Therefore, it would be imperative to collect vital information about the culture and critically analyze the same before making critical judgments. Further, in order to understand and appreciate the experience of the Black Americans, it would be imperative to employ empathy. This would enable one to treat the population in manner that it desires to be treated.

Importance of the CourseDealing with cultural diversity within the field of psychology requires various personal as well as professional competencies. To begin with, it is imperative to appreciate the cultural background of the African Americans. Attainment of this requires knowledge in multicultural issues that can be gained through training and education. Most importantly, changes in personal attitudes regarding this particular culture have been identified. Generally, this course has yielded desirable outcomes as it has exposed the students to various aspects of the culture.

As a result, this has culminated in an in-depth understanding of various historical issues that influence the behavior, attitudes and beliefs of the Black Americans. In addition, knowledge about the influence of certain cultural aspects like drug use and abuse has led to the appreciation of the behavior and attitudes of the population. This has culminated in a more informed perception of the population that has in return led to effective service delivery and harmonic co existence with the Black Americans.

ReferencesAlquire, C., Gerald, W. & Vijay, N. (2008). Minorities in the US. USA: College of Physicians.

Aries, E. (2008). Racial Concerns in Learning Institutions: Universities and Colleges. Temple: University Press.

Barrow, L. (ed.). (2007). Tracing the Roots of Racism. USA: OECD.

Barton, G. (2006). Understanding Black Americans. Oxford: University Press.

Brown-glaude, R. (ed). (2009). Racial Diversity in Institutions. Rutgers: University Press.

Callan, H. (2007). Understanding International Education. Higher Education in Europe, 24 (1), 15-24.

Chandler, N. (2008). Minority Issues. USA: Association of International Education.

Cummings, W. (2009). Theoretical Constructs of Discrimination. USA: Garland.

Hawkins, J. & William, C. (2007). Transnational Competence. USA: SUNNY Press.

Holt, H. (2010). Cultural Diversity: Issues and Concerns. USA: Holt & company.