These may not have been considered families not too long ago, but now must be recognized because we live in such a diverse society. What I want to focus on is the African-American family, in terms of what they had to go through before, during, and after slavery. As well as, where they are now and where it’s going in the future. When Africans were brought to America during slavery they were forced to give up most of their heritage and were usually separated from their families. This common occurrence usually brought about tremendous pain and grief to the slaves.
He was the provider, and head of the household. That role is still ideal today, but not always possible. Due to high divorce rates, that role changes to the African American woman. She takes on the patriarchy role as a single parent and head of household. In 1950, the women’s expected role was to be the “home maker” or stay at home as wife and mother.
The only factor that could have made Brown being black any worse was if he grew up in the South. He shows us this through his parents they moved from the South to Harlem to escape its prejudices. Like many black families Brown’s parents wanted to be the first Northern urban generation of Negro’s. He showed the kind of Southern black mentality his parents had with the jobs they took and the way they reacted to his quitting of what they called good paying jobs....
After the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, many African Americans no longer wanted to be identified by their African American lifestyle, so they began to practice African culture by taking on "Afro hairdos, African-influenced clothing, and adoption of African names" (101). By turning away from their roots, many African Americans embraced a culture that was not inherited, thus putting behind the unique and significant characteristics of their own inherited culture. In "Everyday Use" written by Alice Walker, the family's contrasting views convey that the honest and most truthful way to honor one's heritage is by treating it not as superficial but rather as practical. Mama represents the practical way of honoring heritage by appreciating the items that were obtained from other generations and putting them to everyday use. Dee, on the other hand, honors the superficial way of heritage by being concerned with the materialistic values of her African American heritage.
This is just the beginning of many relationship issues in the black culture. As result of this black women have learned to become independent and fight for themselves. After slavery, one thing that occurred in a black middle class household, that didn’t occur with their white counterparts, was, women working. Black women on a level were equal to black men because they helped provide for the family financially. Black women also held important roles in the communities, more so as the push behind the movement rather than the face.
Social worker has the ability to determine their personal value system, and how it fits with social work values and ethics, which determine the role of being a great social worker. First of all, before one can consider their career path one must have some types of values to keep them grounded. As for me, my first and most important value is honoring thy mother and father. This value is important because of what they had to give up just making sure my life worth living. However, just look at all the situations and circumstances my parents had to go though just because they wanted to make sure they little “black girl” was taking care of.
After the Civil Rights Movement, many African Americans no longer wanted to be identified by their African American lifestyle, so they began to practice African culture by taking on African hairdos, African-influenced clothing, and adopting African names. By turning away from their roots, many African Americans embraced a culture that was not inherited, thus putting behind the unique and significant characteristics of their own inherited culture. Therefore, in an African American society, a search for self identity is a pervasive theme. The search for identity in "Everyday Use" written by Alice Walker uses the family's contrasting views to illustrate the importance of understanding present life in relation to the traditions of ancestral culture. Using careful descriptions and attitudes, Walker uses the voice of the protagonist (the mother) to demonstrate which factors contribute to the values of one’s heritage and identity; she illustrates that these are represented not by the possession of objects or mere appearances, but by one’s lifestyle and attitude.
Formerly poor or upper and middle class black people, may look down on poorer black people because of the financial decisions they make, while not realizing that these fiscal decisions that have been deemed “irresponsible”, have a value that cannot be priced. In order to be respected in certain professional atmospheres, to be employed at certain businesses, or to just simply to have their humanity acknowledged, poorer black people must present themselves in a way that rejects any stereotypes that come with being poor and black. Cotton explains that she grew up as a “good poor” an lived within her means, however, her grandmother and mother both had a certain privilege that they passed along to her, the “ability to talk like white folks.” Cottom recalls several times throughout her life where this privilege was necessary and proved to be extremely helpful. Her mother once dressed in her “classiest”outfit, with a short bob, pearl earrings and spoke Queen’s english in order to help and elderly black neighbor navigate through the bureaucracies that were preventing her from receiving certain services. What had taken the elderly lady years, was finalized by Cottom’s mother in a day.
Miseducation of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson In his book, The Miseducation of the Negro, Carter G. Woodson addresses many issues that have been and are still prevalent in the African American community. Woodson believed that in the midst of receiving education, blacks lost sight of their original reasons for becoming educated. He believed that many blacks became educated only to assimilate to white culture and attempt to become successful under white standards, instead of investing in their communities and applying their knowledge to help other blacks. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is a prime example of Woodson’s argument on “miseducated” blacks. Although Thomas benefitted from programs like affirmative action, once he reached the high point in his career he supported legislature to end such programs.
“To dance is to pray To pray is to heal To heal is to give To give is to live To live is to dance” –Unknown Dancing to Native Americans is many things. There are many styles, rules, customs, and culture involved. There are culture and rules specific to each separate tribe who are patting on the powwow or celebration gathering. The powwow is a gathering of many different tribes coming together to share relationships, stories, and history. But Native American dancing crosses all barriers and brings the people together, for many families it is a way of life passed down from generation to another, learned from our parents and grandparents.