African-American Culture - 2578 Words

Running head: AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURE African-American Culture Abstract In this paper I discuss the African-American culture in regards to values, norms and beliefs. I also discuss my family’s adaptation to these values, norms and beliefs along with my own individual cultural sense of identity. Lastly, this paper reflects the impact of my role and ethical responsibilities as a social worker, especially in relation to working with the Hmong family in the book The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. My cultural group in regards to values, norms, and beliefs. The African-American people have suffered great hardships since slavery. During the 15 and 19th century many Africans were taken and forced into slavery. Some slaves†¦show more content†¦I often wonder how much more amazing my mother would have been if she had been afforded the opportunity of receiving a proper education. Last but not least, spirituality was highly valued in our home more so than anything else. My mother was a strong woman of faith. She had to be because the deck was stacked against her: she was black, widowed with little education. Though she had those things against her, I believe those same things molded and shaped her to being the influential person she was. My mother seen a lot of hard times, she was no stranger to adversity and obstacles but she always believed in prayer and the fact that the Lord would make a way out of no way. When she had nothing else she had her faith and it made everythi ng alright. My individual sense of identity When I was young I didn’t really realize the impact of being African-American until high school. I went to a predominately white school for elementary and middle school. I was just like any other youth. I had my group of friends who were white; I was active in school activities and clubs. I was a student athlete and I got along well with my teachers. Everyone saw me as an upbeat person with a bubbly personality. Surprisingly, race was never brought up it wasn’t an issue for me during that period of my life. However, as I got older I realize there was a difference. As an adult I could really see the prejudice in others. I recall working a on a special project for theShow MoreRelatedAfrican Of African American Culture1572 Words   |  7 PagesThere is no doubt that African Americans have a rich cultural background and history like the many different ethnic groups who settled in the New World, whose origins lie in another country. For this reason, America was known as the melting pot. However, the backgrounds of each of these cultures were not always understood or, in the case of African Americans, accepted among the New World society and culture. Americans were ignorant to the possibility of differences among groups of people until informationRead MoreAfrican Americans And African American Culture953 Words   |  4 Pagesand perception of the African American culture. 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According to the 2010 United States Census Bureau, the total population for South Carolina (S.C.) is 4,625,364, with 27.9% being of African-American descent. The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding and sensitivity to issues and cultural variances or phenomenaRead MoreBody Image : The African American Culture1667 Words   |  7 PagesImage in the African American Culture Today we live in a society that over the years has become so obsessed with body image and how an individual should look. Different cultures have different standards and norms that help to define their ideal body image. African Americans because of their differences in culture have gone against most cultural norms and have set their own definitions of beauty, body image, and body satisfaction. Because of these key differences, the African American community