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Cultural identity of african american
My personal African American Cultural Identity Essay
African American Cultural Identity Essay
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Examining Communication for in Indian and African-American Cultures Communication marks one of the most important features of a culture, and it is one of most easily observed. A culture's approach to people they are familiar to as well as strangers is indicative of the group's overarching values as a whole, which has been discussed in this course. This essay will examine communication in regards to African American and Indian cultures. The article about Indian culture is from IOR, an intercultural training organization. The article mentions Indian civilization's historic roots, and also speaks to the culture's dedication to tradition. Indians collectively define themselves through their roles within the family, follow hierarchical patterns, and take a polychronic approach to time. This extends into their communication styles, as people value …show more content…
This paper examined the section about the African American community. African American culture in the United States also draws elements from West African and Caribbean cultures. The article mentions how this blended background extends to verbal communication, especially in the lack of response time after someone speaks. Typically, there is no pause after a statement is made as another speaker begins speaking This refers back to traditional West African rituals that continued in the Americas due to the slavery, such as ring shouts. When listening to a speaker, eye contact is essential. However, the person speaking will not be considered rude if they do not make eye contact with the listener. Timing eye contact correctly is the key to a polite conversation. Also, the article discusses how African Americans are highly animated in communication and tend to gesticulate. Vocal patterns vary greatly, and this reflects the culture's colorful
African-American is a politically correct term used to refer to blacks within the United States. The roots of many African-American rites can be traced back to African cultural rites. However, it is important to note that not all blacks in America identify with African cultural roots. Therefore, some of the rites found within what many in the United States call African-American culture stem from Caribbean and other cultural traditions. For this reason, when making end of life decisions or funeral arrangements the “cultural identification, spirituality and the social class” the individual identifies with must be taken into account. The black majority within the United States identifies with Afrocentric traditions and perspectives. For this reason the term African-American will be used within this paper to denote the black population found in America as comparisons are made regarding how end of life decisions are viewed and made by African-American culture verses the traditional western European beliefs of American culture (Barrett, 2002).
African-American culture is known for thick, coarse hair, which is extremely time consuming when maintaining it in it’s natural state. The natural state of hair varies depending on the ethnicity. For African Americans, natural hair is hair that has not been altered by chemical straighteners, such as perms. From trying to maintain healthy hair to paying for extensions, my hair was one of my biggest battles I faced during my upbringing. This paper engages a sociological analysis my personal hair situation I faced when I was an adolescent. I will directly focus toward social aspects of this phenomenon. Specifically, I will discuss the issue of race and hair in relation to the dominant culture and the consequences this has for individuals.
In 1987 Tevis Williams said,” Americans don’t want to admit that they owe much to black culture”. During the experiences of slavery, many slaves developed new music, culture, beliefs, and values. Hence, culture in America was greatly influenced by African culture.
My persona doll name is Ann, an African American. Ann has an afro puff hair style, shaped in two big balls. The children laugh at her hair and states, what are those balls on your head. Ann is upset and very emotional about this, because her mom does her hair like this, to last for a month. One of the white children stated your hair is ugly Ann. She also said you need to wear your hair like minds. Ann pulls on her hair all day in the classroom, as she looked sad.
Introduction to African Studies- Hatred towards OriginRace is hereditary and depend on genes. For example, if one's parents are black then definitely the child will be black too. In addition, if parents are from Asiancountries or their origin is Asian then the children will also be from the same origin. Children's physical characteristics are always derived from their parents in case of race. Many people feel shame because of their race and ethnicity; American Africans are an example. Although it is very difficult to leave the identity, but still many American-Africans feel hatred for their land and origin. Many Americans have little knowledge about Africa. Mostly, what we know about Africa is based on the information provided in the news. If one wants to know
The article entitled “Why I am Black and Not African American” written by John H. McWhorter argues that Americans should use the term black instead of African American. The term black is perceived as a symbol of strength and hard work. While the term African American transports blacks back to a time in history filled with bondage and discrimination. Therefore, McWhorter argues that the derogatory term of African American should not be used and that the term black is more appropriate. McWhorter was able to establish a strong argument because he met several of the standard criteria for a quality argument. The established criteria explain a quality argument must include a debatable thesis, supporting evidence, ethos, pathos, and an opposition.
Money. Today just about everything in the world is based around money. Your house, the clothes you wear, the cars you drive. Money, money, money. Well how do you get money? You get a job. And how do you get a job? You get a degree. And how do you get a degree? You get a good education. In the Us, between 1985 and 2013 the total public and private school enrollment rate for 5-6 years old was about 95%. The enrollment rate for 7-13 year olds was about 99% and the enrollment rate for 14-17 year olds was about 95%. In Chad, Africa less than half of the school age children are enrolled and only one in three children manage to complete their primary a schooling.
“The history of American looks very different viewed from a cotton patch.” (23, Cole) African American Studies, also known as Black Studies, is a way for us to learn about the culture, history, literature, economics, and everything in between about African Americans. Growing up in a mostly white school we actually learned a lot about African Americans. Not only about slavery, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., but also about the achievements in arts and literature. We learned about what they had achieved in their hard times, rather than what was done to them. Yes, we learned about what happened to them as well, but we didn’t focus on that.
Traditions are practices/beliefs that are passed down from generation to generation. In traditional African societies, a kinship ties people through birth or marriage. There are two kinds of relationships in customary African tradition; those bound by blood, which are called consanguine, and those constructed by marriage, called affilial. There are four key descents that determine inheritance and marriage. However, the most common descent is patrilineal, which traces ancestry through one's father. While in America, we are vary tolerant of tracing our descent from both parents.
February is Black History Month. It recognizes the struggles the black community faced, now face and will face along with the accomplishments achieved by the black community. Black History Month was first celebrated by the Black United Students at Kent State University in 1970. They wanted to expand the celebration of “Negro Week” created by historian Carter G. Woodsen. Black History Month wasn’t recognized until 1976 by the U.S government.
...es are comprised of certain elements such as language, normatives, beliefs, and values. Language is a reflective pattern of race/class/and gender equality. Normatives are specific to races, genders, or any cohorts with common beliefs/values. The African-Americans were ripped away from their homeland and brought to the States to act as slaves. Though some of their culture cultivated within the elders and were passed down, much of what now exists was created from scratch. The language of the majority of blacks is underdeveloped and filled with slang. Normatives seen with the Black cultural include traditional hair styles, dances, and aesthetics. Though sociologists believe that cultural differences may be accredited towards the unemployment rates, it can be argued that much of the tradition African culture is no longer existent for they have adapted the American way.
Effective communication with people of difference cultures can be especially challenging. The way people interpret the world can be strikingly different between cultures. Intercultural communication occurs when a member from one culture produces a message that is absorbed by a member of another culture. How that message is understood by the communicating party is a vital part in intercultural communication. For example, in Cambodia it would be considered rude to discuss business in a social setting (Language, culture, customs and etiquette, n.d.). However, in the United States this is a common practice and is almost an encouraged event. Another important factor and consideration in intercultural communication is the importance of understanding cultures, values, history and beliefs. For instance, in Cambodia, if you deliver a present that is wrapped in white paper, this is considered to represent mourning. This is one of the many reasons why it is important to assimilate into a culture and be mindful of communication between cultures (Language, culture, customs and etiquette, n.d.).
Typically, some of the basic assumptions we make when communicating with people from our own culture must be questioned and modified when communicating with people of another culture. First on the list of items for review is verbal communication. Parts of verbal communication, such as, tonality, tense, gender generalities and structure vary greatly from culture to culture. A majority of these differences are based on core values and perceptions in different cultures; therefore, such differences must be acknowledged if effective communication and relationships are to occur.
Intercultural communication is commonly explained as an interaction between people of 'different cultures whether defined in terms of racial, ethnic or socioeconomic differences.' Human communication consists of verbal and nonverbal messages (language and gestures) which are shaped by gender, social class or culture. Thus, what perimeters define the intercultural exchange and what primary messages do we need or try to convey?
Culture is an important aspect of individual’s daily life. Culture is individual views and values that shape who they are, their belief and how he/she sees the world. Being from Africa, especially Liberia shape how I view the world, and how I interact with people different from me. I first notice culture differences when I migrated to the United States in 2005. At times, I had difficulty with interacting with individuals with culture and traditions different from what they are accustomed to. Africans hold culture and tradition of high-level value. In Liberia, my culture consists of language.