Premium Essay

Gender Identity Among African Americans

In:

Submitted By shagon86
Words 1280
Pages 6
Gender Identity Among African Americans Danny Tarantino
University of Phoenix
The African American Experience
SOC/338
Tara Lake
May 20, 2013

In 1619, when the first African slaves arrived in the New World, their race's hardships in the new continent began. One can say that early American history is as much the story of African Americans as it is of the Whites. Only their story is about slavery and oppression and lives lived under the control of others. Centuries and many generations later, their story is written while the shadow of oppression has never left them. One would most likely see this perspective from the stories written and shared by the Black males. But this experience was shared by the Black women as well and their actions, their perspectives, and choices helped shape what would be a liberating movement in a fight for Civil Rights and equality. In the fight for Civil Rights - they were pushing for reforms on two fronts: Civil Rights for being African-American and equal rights for women. They inhibited two minority platforms - that of women and that of being African-American. They fought for it however and as a result, African American women today enjoy freedoms and opportunities that those before them did not.

One of the key figures in the African American women’s movement was Mary McLeod Bethune. Something of a Matriarch, she possessed a dynamic and even aggressive personality. Not particularly well read, she was a forceful speaker who could grasp and absorb ideas that gave support to her own interests (Holt, 1964). She was a pioneering figure for civil rights and education, working to provide education and opportunities to African-Americans believing that education is the route to progress and empowerment. She was born to former slave parents in 1875 and joined them working in the

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Gender Identity Among African

...Gender Identity among African Americans Teresa Rucker SOC/338 10/29/13 Dr. A. McDaniel When defining Gender Identity it is said to be a person’s inner sense of being male or female and this sense usually developed during early childhood as a result of parental rearing practices and societal influences and strengthened during puberty by hormonal changes (Dictionary.com). This journey will examine the gender identity among African Americans and highlight the importance of African American women to the women movement. An African American woman will be chosen and a discussion will be done on her importance to the women movement era. Then the journey will end with a discussion on the differences and similarities between African American female and male identity and how has female identity change in the last thirty years. In examining the gender identity among African Americans it is said to be that men exhibit masculine traits and women express feminine traits. Even though African American men and women experience devastating times during slavery their identity roles were different. Black males were the first slaves to be brought to the colonies because they were viewed as being valuable and do to their strength they could perform various duties like building and plowing. Black women were purchased to be field workers. Mainly they worked the fields and this was seen as domestic work for women slaves. In slavery the black women identity was also seen as an economic advantage...

Words: 656 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Adisa's Case Paper

...and starting the school, she becomes a target of the peer bullying in the school settings due to their gender identity. As a result of prolonged bullying, she started presenting internalizing problems, such as sadness, anxiety, poor appetite, sleep disturbance, and persistent restlessness. In considering her presenting problems, an appropriate treatment plan should be developed based on Adisa’s developmental stage, gender identity, ethnicity and cultural background, bullying-peer relationships, and presenting symptoms....

Words: 563 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Downlow Men

...“Down Low”: Homosexuals in the African American Community: Why is it a Taboo Topic? Danielle Carter Senior Seminar HSU 498 Professor Hogan March 25, 2010 Abstract The phenomenon known as the “Down Low” among African American Men who have sex with Men has caused much concern among black community leaders, the general population, and not to mention HIV/AIDS researchers. There are questions which are not being addressed regarding communication patterns of stigmatized groups specifically the “Down Low” group.  Why is there little research about the “Down Low”, when there is more than half AAMSM in this world? This paper will explain why so many African American men are on the “Down Low,” why there is a lack of communication when it comes to speaking about the “Down Low. This paper will also help Human Service workers learn how to help AAMSM and their families.   “Down Low”: Homosexuals in the African American Community A Review of the Literature Today, while there are men who are openly gay, it seems that the majority of those having sex with men still lead secret lives, products of a black culture that deems masculinity and fatherhood as a black man's primary responsibility (Roscoe, 2008). The “Down Low” culture has grown in recent years out of the shadows and developed its own contemporary institutions for those who know where to look for example...

Words: 3348 - Pages: 14

Free Essay

Skin Bleaching

...changes to their natural physical appearance. Studies have been conducted with aims to determine why people bleach their skin, if it has to do with self-image, identity, or if it’s due to psychological scaring from the past. Dating back to plantation slavery, social relationships among Africans and white communities shaped what is now perceived as “acceptable” in communities now a day. “Dark skinned people were considered to be devalued whereas light skin was valued.” (Charles 2003) The Mulattoes, which were the people mixed with Black and white, were allowed to work in the great house. The Africans on the other hand were socialized to show deference to the mulattoes on the plantation (Charles 2009). Today, more than 90% of Jamaica’s population is of African descent and dominate the political landscape, but the minority dominates the economy. Although class and color distinction are very important in society, there is minimal tension over race (Charles 2009) Identity, as well as self-esteem is often thought to be the reason behind skin bleaching. Slavery was an extremely traumatizing experience for the Africans. They were brainwashed into believing that the values of the British communities were more important than that of their own. It was back then when Africans through socialization began devaluing their identity and began having negative attitudes towards themselves. Skin bleaching is believed to be the contemporary evidence of the lingering psychological scars of...

Words: 2444 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Ethnic and Ego Identity

...(2000) 777–790 The relationship of ethnic identity and ego identity status among adolescents and young adults Curtis W. Branch*, Priti Tayal, Carla Triplett Columbia University, New York, USA Abstract A multi-ethnic sample of 248, ages 13–26, was used to examine the effects of age, gender, and ethnic group membership on ethnic identity and ego identity scores. Subjects were recruited from college and public schools in a large northeastern metropolitan area. The multigroup ethnic identity measure (MEIM) was used to assess ethnic identity and ego identity status was measured by the extended objective measure of ego identity status (EOMEIS). An age by ethnic group design was employed. Consistent findings of significant ethnic group differences in levels of ethnic identity were observed. Age and ethnic group were found to contribute differently to ethnic identity and ego identity status. The relationship between ethnic identity and ego identity status was found to be pronounced among subjects of color but not as dramatic as hypothesized. # 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Ego identity status; Ethnic identity; Adolescents; Adults 1. Introduction The ways adolescents attempt to resolve their identity crises are idiosyncratic to each individual and their life circumstances. Despite such diversity of approach to the ‘‘Who am I?’’ question, some variables seem to consistently contribute to the adolescent identity resolution process. Family type (one- vs. two-parents)...

Words: 6211 - Pages: 25

Premium Essay

African American Career Development

...Development of the African American Youth After reading the article, The Relationship Among Support, Ethnic Identity, Career Decision Self-Efficacy, and Outcome Expectations in African American High School Students Applying Social Cognitive Career Theory, a realization was made that cross-cultural research is going to be biased when a person brings in their own preconceived notion about race, education and careers. One thing for sure, is that there is a need for more research to be done. The barriers that African American youths endure in urban and rural surroundings go further than culture and racial socialization. In conflict with these contextual realities, African American youth are increasingly exposed to deracialized narratives...

Words: 660 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Facebook

...THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FACEBOOK™ ACTIVITY AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS by Eric V. Brubaker Liberty University A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Liberty University April, 2013 1 The Relationship Between Facebook™ Activity and Academic Performance Among African American Students by Eric V. Brubaker A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA April, 2013 APPROVED BY: Amanda Rockinson-Szapkiw, Ed.D., Committee Chair Jennifer Courduff, Ph.D., Committee Member Judy Sandlin, Ph.D., Committee Member Scott Watson, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Advanced Programs 2 ABSTRACT This non-experimental, regression study examined the relationship between Facebook™ activity and academic performance for an African American sample population. The study was conducted at a large, four-year, private university in the Mid-Atlantic. All undergraduate, African American students enrolled in the College of General Studies, School of Health Sciences, and School of Education comprised the sample population. Volunteer participants completed a Facebook™ Activity Survey, which is an instrument used to collect semester grade point averages (GPAs), time-use of Facebook™, multitasking information, type of Facebook™ activities, and demographic information. The results of...

Words: 27934 - Pages: 112

Premium Essay

Use of Slang

...due to its socio linguistic complexity factors surrounding its use and formation. (Eble, 1996). Different definitions of slang have describe it either on a positive or negative way. (cited in Partridge 1935:2) defined slang as a highly colloquial type of language that are considered below the level of speech of those regarded to be educated. Slangs words are used with a high degree of informality and vocabulary richness. Slang is used by specific group of people characterized by the territory they come from, subculture or age. Slang comes in a variety of ways one notable ways is through the subculture. The society keeps on changing as well as slang use. Youths are mostly fond of using and creating slang, they do so to show their own identity. Slang is a linguistic variety that cannot be separated from the social surrounding of the users Classification of slangs Slang can be classified into two that is specific and general slang. Specific slang is a slang used by a particular members of a group with the main aim of showing respect to other members of the group. They are mainly used by people who are in the same age but identified by the factors such as social status ,age , education or similar occupation. While general slang refers to spoken words used to show lack of seriousness. It is mainly used to informally instead of clichés (Mattiello 2008:35, 39, 40). Like any other language slang is characterized a broad range of linguistic properties including semantics...

Words: 2182 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Erik Ericsson

...Erik Erikson Author’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Institutional Affiliation: Course Details: Date of Submission: Erik Erikson Introduction Erik Erikson was a rare psychologist who created an eight-step model outlining the different steps in development psychology in the growth of an ordinary human being from birth to old age. His specific insights concerning human mental processes would affect the way people reacted to children and foment a deep interest in studies in human psychology. Though other psychologists have improved on Erikson’s initial findings, original findings retain a lot of significance. There is need to research and study Erikson’s work with particular interest in his explanation of the ‘adolescent stage’ Erikson’s Contribution Freud’s views about the nature and construction of the human personality significantly influenced Erik Erikson’s understanding of humanity. There was a considerable difference between the two men: whereas Erikson was an ego psychologist, Freud was an ID psychologist. Erikson stressed on the functions of society and culture and the divergences that can occur within the ego itself while Freud highlighted the conflict between the superego and ID. At all psychosexual phases, Erikson observed that the person grows in three levels concurrently: social, biological, and psychological, which represent the person, his or her connection to society, and individualism. His work was a lifetime representation of human development...

Words: 3420 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Michelle's Work

...Communication in Society. Mio, J., Barker, L., & Tumambing, J. (2011). Multicultural Psychology. Javaid, S., Barker, N. C., Shahid, A., Jabeen, S., & Bailey, R. K. (2009). Disparities in Health Care among African Americans. Challenge, 15(2), 19-27. Samovar, L., Porter, R., McDaniel, E., & Roy, C. (2014). Intercultural communication: A reader. Cengage Learning. Wallace, S. P. (2003). Equitable Health Systems: Cultural and Structural Issues for Latino Elders. American Journal Of Law & Medicine, 29247 Verbal and Non-verbal communication * Two forms of communication are Verbal and Non-verbal communication * 3 Types of verbal communication: oral, written, & visual. * Oral communication- information is sent verbally or orally by word of mouth * Written communication- communication is written via pencil, pen, markers, and typed words * 6 Forms of Oral communication: face to face, verbal /oral conversations, telephone, viral through video, radio, and television. References Alberts, J.K., Martin, J.N. & Nakayama, T.K. (2013) Human Communication in Society. Mio, J., Barker, L., & Tumambing, J. (2011). Multicultural Psychology. Javaid, S., Barker, N. C., Shahid, A., Jabeen, S., & Bailey, R. K. (2009). Disparities in Health Care among African Americans. Challenge, 15(2),...

Words: 981 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Diversity

...As a manager in any organization or institution you are faced with many task and responsibilities. Managers must be equipped with both technical and interpersonal skills in order to thrive in today’s business world. These skills include leadership, motivation, team work, conflict-resolution abilities and an understanding of diversity and diversity management. Today’s work population is constantly changing; we encounter different people from all walks of life. As a result there is more interaction among people from diverse cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds than ever before. Maximizing and capitalizing on workplace diversity has become an important issue in the field of management. According to some experts “Diversity can have two competing perspectives. The first perspective embraces the “information value of diversity” and the importance of “celebrating our differences”. The second perspective believes that diversity contributes to conflict because “similarity attracts” and therefore, it is best not to draw attention to diversity and instead emphasize that as human beings our commonalities far outweigh our differences. The first perspective argues for customization, while the second advocates for homogenization. Whatever your perspective, the facts remain the same; today’s work population is changing and with any change comes both challenges and opportunities for organizations and their leaders. Diversity Management is a combination of programs, policies and...

Words: 3620 - Pages: 15

Free Essay

Managing Diversity in Workplace

... these  acronyms?     UFO   IBB   NAACP     Answer:     UFO  =  Ugly  ________  Orientals;     IBB  =  Itty  Bitty  Breasts;   NAACP  =  _______,  Apes,  Alligators,  Coons  and  Possums   Figure  1.  Email  with  an  offensive  joke                     As   a   result,   the   email   spread   like   a   tidal   wave   throughout   the   company   and   hit   the   press,   causing   the   media   to   ask   for   comments.   Employee   morale   was   down.   While   women   and   minority  employees  were  emotionally  hurt,  it  also  caused  fear  and  worry  among  white  male   employees  since  they  might  be  accused  of  starting  the  email  and  strong  action  might  even   be  taken  against  them  for  simply  agreeing  with  the  sentiments.     John   Henderson,   the   CEO,   then   ordered   Jeff   Rice,   Vice   President   of   Corporate   Human   Resources   to   deal   with   the   issues,   find   out   what   the   issues   were   in   60   days   and   later   determined   what   to   do   next.   At   the   same   time,   John   would   write   an   open   letter   to   all   employees  to  assure  them  that  the ...

Words: 2037 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Health Promotion Among Black or African Population Gcu

...Health Promotion Among Black or African American Population [Your Name] Grand Canyon University: Family-Centered Health Promotion(NRS-429V) January 10, 2016 Health Promotion Among Black or African American Population The Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] (2015) notes that “Starting in 1997, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requires federal agencies to use a minimum of five race categories: White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.” Each minority group differs in health status and disparities and health promotion. In this paper the writer will focus on a specific minority group, the Black or African Americans, and will compare the minority group’s current health status to the national average. Further the author will discuss which health disparities exist in this particular minority group and what health promotion means to them and then will discuss an a approach using the three levels of health promotion prevention that is the most effective given the unique needs of the minority group with an explanation of why it might be the most effective approach. The Black or African Americans make up 15.2% of the total United States population and consists of people of African American, Sub-Saharan African or Afro-Caribbean decent. It is the second largest minority population. The current health status of this minority group is continuing to get...

Words: 1095 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

African Americans

...African Americans: The Role of Race Abstract The Following Essay defines and integrates the role race plays on the African American culture in their family values and politics in comparison to the Anglo American Culture. The United States has become increasingly diverse in the last century. While African American families share many features with other U.S. families, the African American family has some distinctive features relating to the timing and approaches to marriage and family formation, gender roles, parenting styles, and strategies for coping with adversity. African cultures, slavery, slave rebellions, and the civil rights movements(circa 1800s-160s)have shaped African American religious, familial, political and economic behaviors. The imprint of Africa is evident in myriad ways, in politics, economics, language, music, hairstyles, fashion, dance, religion and worldview, and food preparation methods. In the United States, the very legislation that was designed to strip slaves of culture and deny them education served in many ways to strengthen it. In turn, African American culture has had a pervasive, transformative impact on myriad elements of mainstream American culture, among them language, music, dance, religion, cuisine, and agriculture. This process of mutual creative exchange is called creolization. Over time, the culture of African slaves and their descendants has been ubiquitous in its impact on not only the dominant American culture, but on world...

Words: 1369 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Business

...these values. Within the last two centuries we have abolished slavery, given women the right to vote, and desegregated schools. In more recent years the movement towards equal opportunity has been advanced even further; public and private schools have increased financial support for economically disadvantaged scholars, and affirmative action programs have been developed as yet another means of combating inequities. It would seem that as a society, we are moving towards our moral ideal of equality for one and all. And yet, disparities remain. Race continues to be inextricably linked to socio-economic status and education level, with certain racial and ethnic groups, such as Caucasian- and Asian-Americans reaping more societal advantages on average than others, including African-Americans and Latinos. Women remain under-represented in many prestigious and lucrative fields, such as engineering and business, despite seemingly equal access to opportunity. And a significant wage gap continues to exist between such historically disadvantaged groups and more privileged groups, even when differences in education and experience are controlled for. Although we...

Words: 8611 - Pages: 35