Unlike other immigrants most African Americans came not by choice, the slave trade brought many of them.
At the time Africa was actually doing really well and was coming along as a civilization.
The Europeans who came over to the states weren't skilled in agriculture and there weren't enough indentured White servants to make plantations profitable.
AFRICAN AMERICANS IN HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT
- Somewhere in the 15th century people started to associate sinister qualities with "black" people who were from African and non-Christian, while those who were "white" represented Christianity and Europe.
- From 16th to 19th century it is estimate that Africa lost about 50 million to death and slavery
- Estimates of the mortality rate in the Middle Passage, the boat trip from Africa to American was 20-33%.
- With the Declaration of Independence six states banned slavery and in 1808 the federal government banned it as well, but permitted the institution of slavery to continue in the states it was already in and spread south of the Ohio river.
- In the South only 25% of whites really practiced slavery, but most Whites supported slaver because they believed their prosperity depended on it and because it gave even the poorest of white people a sense of superiority.
- Many uprisings, underground railroad, rebellions etc.
- 1863 was The Emancipation Proclamation and 1865 was the passage of the 13th amendment to end slavery and 1866 Gave African Americans full civil and voting rights.
- Although these laws had been past, they weren't honored in many parts of the country for many years, until the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.
Demographics
- 2000 US census: 34.7 million (12.3% of population) are African American
- There is a real struggle between African Americans and other immigrants because of their experience and history with racism.
Migration to the US
- People are still migrating from the African countries, so therapist must be aware of this.
- From 1924 to 1965 migration of people of color was restricted as they were viewed as less desirable.
- There was tremendous emotional toll on those who left their families in the South to try to create a better life somewhere else.
- When working with immigration commons themes are :
- sense of loss of family and family fragmentation, social dislocation, economic advancement comes at great cost, difficulties assimilating, and anger.
- Ask about their migration, the good and the bad, etc.
Spirituality
- historically very important. Address spirituality with African Americans as it may or may not play a role in their lives.
THERAPY ISSUES
Gender
- As with most, it is patriarchal, however there are a number of example of more fluid gender roles and is probably more egalitarian than anything.
- Still male violence persists
- Many African American families won't seek therapy services because they don't want to expose their men to the racist criminal justice system.
- Genograms can be helpful to explore inter-generational family stores about gender roles, marital ties, and power.
Class
- Education and socioeconomic advancement are values of this community although many are still entrenched in mulitgenerational poverty.
Sexual Orientation/Heterosexism
- LGBT community still fights for recognition in the African community.
- Homosexuality is still taboo and hidden
- therapist should challenge their heterosexist assumptions and help them understand the impact of homophobia.
Response to Treatment
- There is still mistrust
- Important to let them share and get their stories out without judgment
Social/political/economic impact
- Typically have experience oppression in one or all of these areas and it has impacted emotional health
Grief/Rage/Loss
- Lots of this in reaction to micro-aggreasions, slights, insults, racism, etc
- Talk about it!
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