African American Cultural Values

When beginning work with the client, there were a number of apparent differences between her and myself, including age, race, and social class. As previously stated I had to become more culturally competent about working with African American clients before I started seeing the client. Furthermore, I had to become aware of the difficulties that would be present due to our age difference. I made sure to give Betty the opportunity to tell me how situations made her feel, and empathized with her, making sure to help her feel as though I understood even though I was much younger and had not experienced what she had. Additionally, the client and I come from different social classes. I had to make certain that she did not feel judged during our sessions, and provided her with the resources necessary to assist her in overcoming barriers. Sands and Gellis (2011) indicate that African American cultural values and norms derive from a number of situations, which include responses and adaptations to the oppression, poverty, and racism, which made them victims. Knowing and understanding the various differences that I would face working with the client helped to better prepare me for sessions.

Each individual has there own set of ideals and values that motivate them towards specific and non-specific goals, and luckily for everyone, the goals themselves can be molded to these values. Values can be influenced by a plethora of factors, from environment to predispositions, and can range from relationships to materialism. Values and goals may represent a person, or a person may represent the values and demonstrate the context that formed these values. Family, pride, education, finances, and identity ideals are all present in the “Raisin in the Sun”, and the characterizations that take place in the realistic play expose these ideals. A “Raisin in the Sun” uses a mid to late twentieth century African American family to portray each character

Music is a creative art form that allows the artist to construct something that expresses a purpose. It evolves over time and changes as the world changes, taking on many different motivations behind the melody and lyrics. In today’s society, anger, oppression, racism, and negative opinions rule the media and popular culture. I believe that African Americans need to show their self worth and not let white people hold them back. With the music in white culture often mocking African American culture and portraying negative stereotypes, African Americans have to find ways to gain respect. In acknowledgement of the negative portrayal of their culture, African Americans respond by creating songs and videos that express their pride in their culture and heritage, react to white oppression, and communicate their independence.

The 1920s, often referred to as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of great change and a time of powerful enthusiasm in many areas of society. The world had just finished the biggest war in history, the First World War, and the United States was left almost unharmed by the war. The United States was able to experience a decade of peace and success following the war. During this decade, America became the wealthiest country in the world (Trueman, 2000). The people in the United States went through a colorful period during the twenties. However, at the same time the 1920s was also a very rebellious and difficult time for many. The culture of the 1920s has influenced the culture of America’s society today.

Langston Hughes was a poet with many artistic abilities. His writing and drawings established the lifestyles of many African Americans during this time. In a poem called “I, Too” Hughes express his feelings as an African American, a brother, and someone who deserves to fit in society. He states “I, too sing America” (1039). Hughes saw himself as an individual who has a voice in America even though his skin is a little darker. In a poem called “Democracy” Hughes states: “I have as much right as the other fellow has to stand on my own two feet and own the land” (1043). Hughes was speaking for every African American whom were still dealing with segregation, racism, and freedom.

The roaring 20s effected, the economic and people in western civilization. During this period, people’s attitude shifted after WW1 as people became more carefree as the

The 1920’s was a great and important decade for the United States. After World War I, the United States went through events and changes that, overall, made the United States a much better place to live. New advances in technology and industry improved American life in more ways than just one. Americans had better wages during this time, more leisure time, and overall, had a better life than ever before. In addition, the 1920’s advocated social and cultural change as well. During this time period, the United States did not return to Normalcy, and instead developed attitudes that changed the life of the people of the United States forever thanks to social changes, cultural changes and changes in technology.

Life in America dramatically changed during the decade of the 1920s, which marks a turning point in American history. Among these changes included the creation of new laws, which controlled major aspects of society. To continue, not only did the creation of these new laws contribute to the dramatic changes of life in America, but the changes in music, the roles and views of women in society, and entertainment had a big impact, as well. As a result, everyone living during this time period was affected in one way or another. The wide range of changes that took place in America’s society during the 1920s, has ultimately made this decade notorious for influencing culture in America because of the “anything goes” attitude the people developed.

In your opinion, how does the election of Barrack Obama to president influence the way society will understand African-American culture?

In I, Too, Sing America when Langston Hughes writes of a darker brother who is told to eat in the kitchen you know that he is talking about African Americans. In this poem Langston Hughes writes a stanza that changes your idea of what the poem is about. He says “ Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table when company comes. Nobody’ll dare say to me, “Eat in the Kitchen,” then”. This line is is clearly stating the main idea of the poem right there. It’s telling us of how now there is segregation, but one day in the future all men will be equal.

I’ve been raised in North Bethesda, a city inside of Montgomery County my whole life . A county that values education and success more than most things, and rightfully so. To live in this county you have to have money and to have money you must be successful, and also to be able to have the things you want , such as a nice car, nice houses, nice clothes and local and clean grocery stories, etc. that they have here. It motivates and instills values on us to try our hardest and make the most out of school as possible to get a job that will help us and our community in the future. Which is why I see myself as an educated , adventurous , and hungry for success. My dad is from Cameroon, which is a country in Africa and lived there up until adulthood then he came to the states because he felt that his

of them in Sierra Leone - for sale in the West Indies. Hawkins traded the

The fourth book I found about African American culture and identity is called Mr. Williams (Barbour, 2005). This book was a story about Mr. Williams and all of the stories from his childhood. Throughout the story, he described his living standards, work life, education life, and relationships he had with whites. As mentioned in the beginning of the story, Mr. Williams was born February 28, 1929 in Arcadia, Louisiana. This time frame was given to inform the reader that it was during slavery and the same year Martin Luther King Jr. was born. It helps the audience gain perspective on historical events that occurs, specifically before the Civil Rights Movement. There was never a timeline of events with specific conflicts and a solution in this

The “Roaring Twenties” was the beginning of change for America, from the economy to the society and culture. A few months after World War 1, the 18th Amendment took effect in the United States, which began the prohibition and a spark for change in the lives of the people. The simplistic way of living was no longer used in the urban cities; life had changed from its conservative moral values to a more carefree “live as you please” type of mentality. Due to this change in mental state, the priorities of the people changed and seemed to center on illegal alcohol, liberalism, and money. This made it possible for the arrival of a new culture.

Written by Langston Hughes, the poem “I, Too” is about the thoughts and feelings of being an African American throughout years of slavery and racial discrimination. Hughes starts off the poem with the first signs of racial oppression: “I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes…”(Hughes) The poet is conveying that he is a black servant or slave that is in a white household, and who is treated unequal and looked down upon. He then explains that he does not take it too heart, but rather laughs it out and ‘eats well.’ In the next stanza, the poet shows feelings of hope and determination: “Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table when company comes…” “Nobody’ll dare say to me, “Eat in the kitchen,” ” (Hughes). Langston Hughes explains that tomorrow, meaning the future, he is confident that African Americans will achieve equality. The poem starts off with the phrase: “I, too, sing America.” The poem ends with “I, too, am America.” By doing so, Hughes conveyed essentially that he was equally an American as the white