This class, African American Family, has had a profound effect on my life. I cannot say that it is one particular article, film or discussion. They all seem to be magically woven together, just like our lives. Yes, I have learned statistics, data, and aspects of the African American culture that I would not have known. I have read numerous articles on finding a mate and struggles of marriages, lack of competent African American psychologists, the importance of faith and the church, struggles of young women of color who dislike their skin tone, the pathology of privilege and more importantly, the oppression of the African American people.
I have sat in this class, often fighting back tears, as I listen to the amazing stories of struggle and triumph of my peers. Sitting in a classroom, where I am the minority, has been enlightening and eye opening. I found myself often unable to participate in discussion, not because I wasn't welcomed, but because I had not had the experience of being a person of African American descent. I frequently found myself feeling intense pain for my classmates as they shared their struggles of adjustment to the academic environment, the lack of preparedness, the inability to get needed help from professors, and trying to be an agent of change for their friends and family in their hometowns.
Because of the classroom environment that Dr. Gilbert creates, respectful, emotional and sometimes painful discussion occurs. It is in those moments, hearing the stories of others, that have been the most impactful for me. And what will I do with it? As I head to grad school, I hope to continue to raise awareness of privilege and fight for equality for the oppressed and hopefully impact the lives of, if not many, at least one other person. I will continue a dialogue with friends, strangers, peers and classmates about the Tim Wise film, his work on "white privilege" and also what I have learned about the negative stereotypes that African Americans have faced and continue to deal with on a daily basis.
I look forward to hearing and seeing what my peers in African American Family will do with their lives. They are all bright, articulate young men and women who have a passion for change, social justice and bringing awareness. The future looks bright for each of them and I know they will do great things to further the cause for change.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Saturday, April 26, 2014
The Achievement Gap and "Acting White"
Seeing the film, the Boys of Barack, cemented the concept of struggles in Quadrant 4. Seeing the boys find success away from their home environment, drives home the point of how difficult it is to be successful when you are dealing with factors such as, parent drug addiction, parent imprisonment, and struggles that a young person shouldn't be having while trying to excel as a student. Our expectations for academic success are unrealistic under these conditions. We need to find ways to improve life for these kids so that they can achieve!
The article "Closing the Gap" addresses the issues for African Americans in the classroom. They are not in quadrant 4 and do not have the same struggles from an economic standpoint; and yet, some of these kids are still not achieving. Is it the attitudes of the teachers, thinking they don't care, not caring themselves or is it the kids are truly struggling and don't want to acknowledge that. From the outside, it could appear to me all of the above. It is difficult to say I am doing all I can and still I am not understanding. It is hard for a child to be working extremely hard and feel it isn't enough. I am also able to see that a teacher has the power to help that child feel safe and help them be the best they can be. Each of us knows that teachers have this ability to make a difference. I can see, as an educator, if you have an attitude of they don't care, you might adopt that same laissez-faire response. The answer in this situation is not an easy one and one that I hope educators will continue to explore for the success of students everywhere. I think it is also important to look at each student as an individual and find out their particular situation and other aspects of what may be contributing to their failures/successes.
"Acting White" because I am white has not been a particular issue for me nor my peers; however, I have, in the past few months, become increasingly intrigued by this concept. I was especially challenged by the articles and how the accusation of "acting white" for African American youth and the detriment that can be for them. I also have begun to think more deeply on the stereotypes of "acting white" and how we have come to label each other, why we label and the negative connotations of labeling.
The article "Closing the Gap" addresses the issues for African Americans in the classroom. They are not in quadrant 4 and do not have the same struggles from an economic standpoint; and yet, some of these kids are still not achieving. Is it the attitudes of the teachers, thinking they don't care, not caring themselves or is it the kids are truly struggling and don't want to acknowledge that. From the outside, it could appear to me all of the above. It is difficult to say I am doing all I can and still I am not understanding. It is hard for a child to be working extremely hard and feel it isn't enough. I am also able to see that a teacher has the power to help that child feel safe and help them be the best they can be. Each of us knows that teachers have this ability to make a difference. I can see, as an educator, if you have an attitude of they don't care, you might adopt that same laissez-faire response. The answer in this situation is not an easy one and one that I hope educators will continue to explore for the success of students everywhere. I think it is also important to look at each student as an individual and find out their particular situation and other aspects of what may be contributing to their failures/successes.
"Acting White" because I am white has not been a particular issue for me nor my peers; however, I have, in the past few months, become increasingly intrigued by this concept. I was especially challenged by the articles and how the accusation of "acting white" for African American youth and the detriment that can be for them. I also have begun to think more deeply on the stereotypes of "acting white" and how we have come to label each other, why we label and the negative connotations of labeling.
Racial and Ethnic Identity
Being a white female and recognizing I am a person of privilege, it is unfair to say that I could identify with the students in the article "Family Life and School Experience: Factors in the Racial Identity Development of Black Youth in White Communities" by Beverly Tatum. It further helps me recognize the struggles of my peers and classmates as they maneuver through their lives, the struggles of race, oppression and transition. I grew up in a predominately white community until the age of 14 when I moved to three high schools in three years and in more diverse area. Any area of struggle for me during those years was more about being uncomfortable in new environments than being racially oppressed. It would be erroneous of me to connect those dots as being equal or near the same.
I would hope I am at a place in my life to be in the immersion/emersion stage and also working toward autonomy. Trying to make others aware has been an agenda for me the past few years. As I become more aware of oppression and race, I want others to acknowledge the existence. I can say this fully embracing that I am white and I have many privileges due to my skin color. Although I am grateful, I am also fully aware that gender, class, and color all play a role in each of our lives.
Choosing to do the Tim Wise film was, for me, an integral part of my journey in life and in this class. I long to draw attention to this issue and making others aware. Knowing the Tim Wise video brought continued awareness to me, I felt it was a way that I, being a white female, could have an impact on others. It seemed to be the best way for my voice to be heard. In a sense, I feel, as a white person of privilege, I can in some way be Tim Wise, whether it is sharing his passion or finding my own podium to address this from. I long for the day when I can see people of color stand up and share in the same way, having the same impact as Tim Wise.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
My Contribution for Service Learning in the African American Family
As I try to make a decision about a service learning project for my African American families class, I am somewhat overwhelmed and with that feeling I am grateful. I tend to be zealous about my goals and dreams and sometimes that leads to out of touch with reality. As I ponder my part in a project for African American Families, I want it all. With all sincerity, I want to do some part of all of it. With all due respect and a dose of reality, I know that it is entirely impossible, not only from a time factor but what is the best use of your time factor. I have to ask some serious questions as I make the decision to find where my input can be the most effective.
Where will my time, knowledge, and influence be well received?
Where can I make the biggest impact?
Where can I not only grow as an individual, but also engage others?
As I have thought about our projects and what is available, all roads lead back to Tim Wise and his stance on "White Privilege" Showing this film to a group of students and even those outside academia is an opportunity to encourage others to take a look at the oppression of African Americans and to look at the opportunities of being white. I am excited about the impact that this may have and the ability to help change the egocentric thinking of others.
Where will my time, knowledge, and influence be well received?
Where can I make the biggest impact?
Where can I not only grow as an individual, but also engage others?
As I have thought about our projects and what is available, all roads lead back to Tim Wise and his stance on "White Privilege" Showing this film to a group of students and even those outside academia is an opportunity to encourage others to take a look at the oppression of African Americans and to look at the opportunities of being white. I am excited about the impact that this may have and the ability to help change the egocentric thinking of others.
Strengths of the African American Family
As opposed to so many negatives we hear regarding the African American family, there are actually many positives that are often overlooked and diminished. The African American community/family is composed of a people of strong faith. This is highly regarded in their culture, a place to go for support and encouragement and yes, even correction. With only 2% of psychologists being African American, I think it is important that the community has a support system within their church to guide, lead and give direction.
I also see the African American female as being a strong support and a truly positive for the African American family. Due to the overwhelming incarceration rate and absence of the male leadership, the role of female is critically important. She strives to teach, instruct and give her family guidance. With a healthy and positive self-esteem, these women are able to impact their family and community in a critical way.
Mentoring programs would be a crucial way to allow the black family to have more support and guidance/direction. The church, with it's integral role in the African American family, could provide mentoring and teaching for young black males to have the values and insight they need to become strong role models for their siblings, peers, and younger counterparts. This would allow the family to become stronger as we grab these young men at an early age and give them role models to look up to. By providing the tools these young men need to be successful, they can make the family even stronger.
One of the programs, Center for Family Research, Strong African American Families Program, is working with young children thru adults to strengthen and support the African American Family. http://www.cfr.uga.edu/projects
I also see the African American female as being a strong support and a truly positive for the African American family. Due to the overwhelming incarceration rate and absence of the male leadership, the role of female is critically important. She strives to teach, instruct and give her family guidance. With a healthy and positive self-esteem, these women are able to impact their family and community in a critical way.
Mentoring programs would be a crucial way to allow the black family to have more support and guidance/direction. The church, with it's integral role in the African American family, could provide mentoring and teaching for young black males to have the values and insight they need to become strong role models for their siblings, peers, and younger counterparts. This would allow the family to become stronger as we grab these young men at an early age and give them role models to look up to. By providing the tools these young men need to be successful, they can make the family even stronger.
One of the programs, Center for Family Research, Strong African American Families Program, is working with young children thru adults to strengthen and support the African American Family. http://www.cfr.uga.edu/projects
Monday, March 3, 2014
African American Family and Faith
We have discussed at length the role of faith in the lives of African Americans. As much as it is a source of strength, it can also be problematic as we look at the role between acceptance, struggle, and seeking help. Many African Americans may feel as though God is their source of strength and refuge and yet for others it may be a source of conflict as they neglect to feel accepted by their peers or deny themselves the opportunity to be honest about their struggles. How is the faith of the African American a positive and a negative? How does the role of faith pose a problem for the gay person, those in marital conflict, the strong African American woman, and the strong African American male who wants to seek counseling? Looking at the articles, "the choice to be gay," African American Women's Spiritual Beliefs: A Guide to Treatment," and "Found: 85,000 Black Gay Households," how does spirituality play a negative and positive role? How does this affect the male or female in the lower quadrant? How would the Nguzo Saba principle of Ujima and Imani break down these struggles?
Monday, February 24, 2014
Counseling, Female Self Esteem and African American Gays
The fact that only 2 percent of psychologists are African American is a huge problem for the African American community. It is problematic to try to discuss your issues and develop as an individual when you are working with someone you cannot understand your culture. An African American male needs to be able to connect with his counselor and feel his needs and world are understood. This explains why so many African Americans would not be seeking psychological help. The areas of concern for the African American male are the erroneous thoughts about their masculinity regarding who they are and also what they do, in addition to economics, employment and education.
The African American female has high self esteem and this is due to their social support and self-reliance. A support network is really important, especially when facing struggles and Black women are also taught to be self-sufficient and not be dependent on a man. As we have discussed in the past, this can be a problem for the African American family.
Black heterosexual couples and black same-sex couples share the following:
The African American female has high self esteem and this is due to their social support and self-reliance. A support network is really important, especially when facing struggles and Black women are also taught to be self-sufficient and not be dependent on a man. As we have discussed in the past, this can be a problem for the African American family.
Black heterosexual couples and black same-sex couples share the following:
- raising non-biological (foster or adopted) children at the same rate
- black male same-sex couples are raising non-biological children at a slightly lower rate than black married opposite-sex households
- black women in same-sex households are raising children at almost the same rate as black married opposite-sex coupes
- black men in same-sex relationships are parents at about two-thirds the rate of married opposite-sex couples
I personally don't believe that being gay is a choice. I believe there are many factors involved as there are with being heterosexual. I am attracted to men. I don't have to choose that as for me that is my natural inclination. Strange bedfellows are anti-gay activists, the black church, and white conservatives.
Addressing homophobia in the African American community, I believe, is a complex issue. As we look at the importance of faith, it will be difficult to convince those who see this as sin as not. I think t we can only hope to bring understanding, compassion and acceptance instead of hatred, prejudice and discrimination through education. Exposing ourselves to others and befriending those who are not like us brings growth and develops our ability to accept our differences and work together. College campuses have opportunities to bring individuals with differing opinions together to get to know each other through projects, educational seminars and discussion groups.
As we have discussed, faith is a huge component of the African American family, which would make coming out a difficult situation. Being in quadrant four is far more complicated as the struggles and obstacles are insurmountable. To come out in quadrant four would mean taking a huge risk of losing your support system, which would more than likely lead to many more problems for this individual and his/her ability to find success.
The Homophobia quiz was interesting and I had to stop and truly consider my answers and how I felt. I am not homophobic and I do try to accept others for who they are. I may not always agree with others choices but it doesn't have anything to do with their identity. I think each person is a beautiful creation and should be treated with love and respect.
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