Cultural Competence with African Americans Cultural Competence with African Americans

From “Culturally Competent Practice”From “Culturally Competent Practice”

Editor: Doman LumEditor: Doman Lum

Understanding diversity among African Americans.Understanding diversity among African Americans.

““There is much diversity among the African American There is much diversity among the African American population in terms of origin, appearance, experiences with population in terms of origin, appearance, experiences with oppression, demographic characteristics, residential patterns, oppression, demographic characteristics, residential patterns, social class, interpersonal styles, and patterns of functioning social class, interpersonal styles, and patterns of functioning and lifestyles”.and lifestyles”.

Ruth G. McRoy.Ruth G. McRoy.

Physical Characteristics, Ethnic Labels and Identification, Physical Characteristics, Ethnic Labels and Identification, and Respectful Languageand Respectful Language

There is much diversity of opinion about how African There is much diversity of opinion about how African Americans refer to their ethnic background.Americans refer to their ethnic background.African AmericanAfrican American: descendants of African slaves who were : descendants of African slaves who were brought to the United States.brought to the United States.Blacks:Blacks: refer to all people and cultures of African descent, refer to all people and cultures of African descent, including but not limited to Black people from the West Indies, including but not limited to Black people from the West Indies, Africa, and the Americas.Africa, and the Americas.Some may prefer to be referred to as African American, others Some may prefer to be referred to as African American, others as Black. The individual needs to be asked.as Black. The individual needs to be asked.There are others who do not wish to be identified by one racial There are others who do not wish to be identified by one racial label, and may prefer bicultural, mixed, or biracial. label, and may prefer bicultural, mixed, or biracial.

General StatisticsGeneral StatisticsIncreased number from the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa, Increased number from the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa, representing almost 881,300 (US Census).representing almost 881,300 (US Census).36% from West Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. 36% from West Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Subsequently may prefer to be referred based on their native Subsequently may prefer to be referred based on their native country, Africans, Nigerians, and Somalis.country, Africans, Nigerians, and Somalis.Though all viewed as Black (based on phenotypical Though all viewed as Black (based on phenotypical characteristics) individuals have a completely different history characteristics) individuals have a completely different history and cultural background.and cultural background.Haitians (420,000) may resent being grouped as Black.Haitians (420,000) may resent being grouped as Black.56% of the 36.2 Million African Americans live in the South, 56% of the 36.2 Million African Americans live in the South, 18% in the Northeast, 18% in the Midwest, and 9% in the West.18% in the Northeast, 18% in the Midwest, and 9% in the West.52% live in central cities (compared to 21% Whites).52% live in central cities (compared to 21% Whites).

Marital StatusMarital StatusHistorically predominance has shifted from male to female head Historically predominance has shifted from male to female head of household at different times (up to 1925) however, current of household at different times (up to 1925) however, current statistics report 48% married couples, 43% female head of statistics report 48% married couples, 43% female head of household, and 9% male head of household.household, and 9% male head of household.

Age, Education, Social Class, Employment and GenderAge, Education, Social Class, Employment and GenderGenerally younger, 33% under age 18, and only 8% over age 65.Generally younger, 33% under age 18, and only 8% over age 65.Poverty rate 24% of 65+ AA, twice the general rate, 80% relying Poverty rate 24% of 65+ AA, twice the general rate, 80% relying on Social Security.on Social Security.Most elderly live with an adult child.Most elderly live with an adult child.Education still viewed as important, with 79% of 18 year olds and Education still viewed as important, with 79% of 18 year olds and older, having a high school diploma, and 18% Black females and older, having a high school diploma, and 18% Black females and 16% Black males 25 and older, completing College.16% Black males 25 and older, completing College.

PovertyPoverty

23% of AA were poor, compared to 8% Whites.23% of AA were poor, compared to 8% Whites.Median annual income for AA families in 2001 was $29,470, Median annual income for AA families in 2001 was $29,470, compared to Asian Americans $56,635, $46,305 for Whites and compared to Asian Americans $56,635, $46,305 for Whites and $33,565 for Hispanics.$33,565 for Hispanics.For 50 years, the unemployment rate for Blacks has been twice For 50 years, the unemployment rate for Blacks has been twice that of Whites. Currently the figures are 12% AA male and 19% that of Whites. Currently the figures are 12% AA male and 19% AA female unemployed. Among the 20-25 age bracket, the rate AA female unemployed. Among the 20-25 age bracket, the rate is 16.8%.is 16.8%.

PovertyPoverty

Approximately 26% AA females and 18% AA males are Approximately 26% AA females and 18% AA males are classified as middle or upper class, and have managerial or classified as middle or upper class, and have managerial or professional positions. Often viewed as bicultural or professional positions. Often viewed as bicultural or acculturated. The income level appears to be $50,000 for acculturated. The income level appears to be $50,000 for consideration into the upper class for Blacks. consideration into the upper class for Blacks.

Upper class Blacks consist of judges, lawyers, businessmen, Upper class Blacks consist of judges, lawyers, businessmen, and physicians.and physicians.

Compared to Whites, status of upper class requires Compared to Whites, status of upper class requires considerably more wealth (millions) before requiring that considerably more wealth (millions) before requiring that status. status.

Sexual OrientationSexual Orientation

Traditional roles are expected, and gay, Traditional roles are expected, and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Blacks are lesbian, bisexual and transgender Blacks are reluctant to disclose, for fear of rejection by reluctant to disclose, for fear of rejection by families.families.

Racial IdentityRacial Identity

Acculturated: reject their blackness, and Acculturated: reject their blackness, and assimilate into the mainstream culture.assimilate into the mainstream culture.

Culturally immersed: adoption of a Black Culturally immersed: adoption of a Black frame of reference, few white friends, viewing frame of reference, few white friends, viewing them with suspicion and distrust. them with suspicion and distrust.

Bicultural: they are comfortable with both Bicultural: they are comfortable with both Black and White culture.Black and White culture.

Traditional: a value of their “blackness”, and have limited Traditional: a value of their “blackness”, and have limited contact with those outside the Black community.contact with those outside the Black community.

The average African American has 25% traceable white genes.The average African American has 25% traceable white genes. In comparison, laws in the South and in the North reflect that In comparison, laws in the South and in the North reflect that

any person with “one drop” of Black blood had the legal status any person with “one drop” of Black blood had the legal status of a pure African.of a pure African.

Racial IdentityRacial Identity

Historical and Current Oppression Experiences.Historical and Current Oppression Experiences. 1616thth to mid 19 to mid 19thth Century West Africans were forcibly removed Century West Africans were forcibly removed

from their homes and transported to America. They have a from their homes and transported to America. They have a historical background of involuntary migration, slavery and historical background of involuntary migration, slavery and segregation.segregation.

10-15% died on voyage through the Middle Passage. Those 10-15% died on voyage through the Middle Passage. Those that didn’t, arrived in Virginia and the Carolinas.that didn’t, arrived in Virginia and the Carolinas.

Sold as bondsmen and slaves for life.Sold as bondsmen and slaves for life. They had no civil status, being treated as “objects”. They They had no civil status, being treated as “objects”. They

could not enter into legal contracts, marry, own property, sue could not enter into legal contracts, marry, own property, sue or be sued. They were deprived of education, forbidden from or be sued. They were deprived of education, forbidden from assembling, voting or holding political office.assembling, voting or holding political office.

In the 1767 U.S. Constitution, they were considered as 3/5ths In the 1767 U.S. Constitution, they were considered as 3/5ths of a person for congressional representation.of a person for congressional representation.

Civil War 1861 – 1865.Civil War 1861 – 1865.

Late 1780’s, 59,000 free Blacks, and 697,000 slaves, by 1860, Late 1780’s, 59,000 free Blacks, and 697,000 slaves, by 1860, these numbers were 500,000 free, who lived in the Southeast.these numbers were 500,000 free, who lived in the Southeast.

Church was the only sanction allowed for gathering, and the Church was the only sanction allowed for gathering, and the African spiritual music (blues, jazz, negro spiritual) was an African spiritual music (blues, jazz, negro spiritual) was an expression of the sadness and longing for freedom.expression of the sadness and longing for freedom.

Family and church were central in their lives, and often kin Family and church were central in their lives, and often kin folk “Aunt or Uncle” provided continuity of care.folk “Aunt or Uncle” provided continuity of care.

In 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation defined all Blacks as In 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation defined all Blacks as free, which was estimated to be 5 to 20 million.free, which was estimated to be 5 to 20 million.

In 1865, slavery was officially abolished with the signing of In 1865, slavery was officially abolished with the signing of the 13the 13thth Amendment. Amendment.

““Jim Crow” laws legalizing segregation abounded, and Jim Crow” laws legalizing segregation abounded, and oppression continued.oppression continued.

1954 Brown versus Board of Education, Topeka, Kansas, 1954 Brown versus Board of Education, Topeka, Kansas, making school segregation illegal.making school segregation illegal.

1950’s and 1960’s, the civil rights movement began, led by 1950’s and 1960’s, the civil rights movement began, led by African American religious leaders such as the Reverend African American religious leaders such as the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., leading to the Civil Rights Act Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., leading to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act 0f 1965.of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act 0f 1965.

Civil rights has continued to be an issue, and incidents like the Civil rights has continued to be an issue, and incidents like the “Rodney King” race riots of Los Angeles have highlighted the “Rodney King” race riots of Los Angeles have highlighted the struggle.struggle.

Cultural Awareness and Service NeedsCultural Awareness and Service NeedsInstitutional racism is a form of oppression maintained through Institutional racism is a form of oppression maintained through the reliance on White norms, stereotyping, assimilation, and the reliance on White norms, stereotyping, assimilation, and tokenism.tokenism.The Black church is one of the few institutions which is Black The Black church is one of the few institutions which is Black owned and serves Black families. This is a valuable commodity owned and serves Black families. This is a valuable commodity for Black families and they should be referred to those that are for Black families and they should be referred to those that are available.available.Spirituality is generally more than just the church. Non-Spirituality is generally more than just the church. Non-traditional spirituality must also be respected.traditional spirituality must also be respected.Lack of diversity among service staff and location of service Lack of diversity among service staff and location of service delivery may be problematic.delivery may be problematic.Black women will seek assistance more so than Black men.Black women will seek assistance more so than Black men.

Stages of EngagementStages of Engagement

AppraisalAppraisal: the client may appear to be : the client may appear to be guarded, reserved, and aloof.guarded, reserved, and aloof.

InvestigativeInvestigative: the client may attempt to realign : the client may attempt to realign the “power differential” by challenging and the “power differential” by challenging and raising questions about the practitioners raising questions about the practitioners abilities.abilities.

Partial IdentificationPartial Identification: the client will attempt to : the client will attempt to establish a more personal relationship.establish a more personal relationship.

Loyalty and Personal RegardLoyalty and Personal Regard: the client feels : the client feels comfortable with the practitioner and becomes less comfortable with the practitioner and becomes less defensive.defensive.

Use of the “strengths perspective”Use of the “strengths perspective” Use of informal networksUse of informal networks African American practitioners may well be products African American practitioners may well be products

of traditional educational experiences, and as such of traditional educational experiences, and as such should not assume that they are well verse in cultural should not assume that they are well verse in cultural competencecompetence

Stages of EngagementStages of Engagement

Social and Economic JusticeSocial and Economic JusticeThe manner in which society provides for its members.The manner in which society provides for its members.Justification and rationalization of educational inequality by the Justification and rationalization of educational inequality by the White privileged power, needs to be addressed. Better access to White privileged power, needs to be addressed. Better access to quality public schools and educational opportunities.quality public schools and educational opportunities.Reverse the internalization of stereotypes and conformity Reverse the internalization of stereotypes and conformity within the minority population, empower them to believe that the within the minority population, empower them to believe that the oppression and problems that they experience are not self oppression and problems that they experience are not self imposed.imposed.The idea that African American families are primarily “female The idea that African American families are primarily “female headed”, deviant and pathological needs to be challenged. The headed”, deviant and pathological needs to be challenged. The social and political factors which have contributed to the social and political factors which have contributed to the undermining of the Black family , including social welfare undermining of the Black family , including social welfare policies beginning in the 1950’s, including AFDC (requiring policies beginning in the 1950’s, including AFDC (requiring male absence for females to receive assistance forcing men out of male absence for females to receive assistance forcing men out of the home), need to be challenged and changed. the home), need to be challenged and changed.