African-American Culture, Values, And Beliefs

Register to read the introduction… The African-American survived due to the fact they helped each other, they took care of each other not only blood relatives but others also. During slavery everyone helped to raise each other’s children especially when parents were sold to other slave owners, other adults in the slave community took care of the children left behind, many slaves protected each other in spite of tribal and language differences. The biggest fear of families then was the threat of a child being sold. Even today African-Americans value family, many survive due to the fact that we help each other, and we take care of each other not only blood relatives but others also. The extended family is crucial. Aunts, uncles, grandparents, and unrelated individuals who are considered part of the family give moral, psychological and financial support. Raising others’ children is a natural phenomenon in the African-American culture it plays an important role in families survival. African-Americans also value religion / spirituality. Since slavery African-Americans have always believed in a higher power referred to as The Lord, God, or Jesus. Slaves would often sing old gospel hymns to keep them encourage and believing that life would be better one day. Even today we as African-Americans value spirituality as it gives us hope to believe things will be …show more content…
Family is very important to me. I am married with three children (a son, & two daughters). My husband also values family as he is the youngest of 14 children. His family are always taking care of each other and non-blood relatives. We were foster parents for three years and adopted a child of our own. This wasn’t planned but when she wasn’t able to unite with her siblings in another adoptive home we didn’t want her to have to move again so we kept her. She is bi-racial child who is eight years old. She struggles with her identity as her biological siblings are white and the parents in the home she came from are white. I always teach my children to treat others as they want to be treated and to take the high road when others are mistreating them. I explain to them that their character is who they are and a good name goes a long way. My son is also a student athlete with a lot of talent. We often remind him that his talent may get him a good scholarship someday but his character will keep him in the position. I also value education because I know that it’s needed to have a better quality of life. In order to get a good paying job and live comfortably education is so critical. I make a big deal of CATS testing during the school year as I commit to going to bed early with the kids and getting up extra early to cook them a huge breakfast. In our home we give rewards and