LGBTQ

Young black men prefer black counselors. Journal of Black Psychology

I found it kind of crazy that only 2% of psychologists are African American. I think it has a lot to do with growing up in the African American community and not really expressing and feeling the need for a psychologist. If you grow up dealing with your problems in a different way and especially for black man never really expressing their true feelings, you would never seek a psychologist let alone become one. After the class discussion regarding how men with depression only seek help when they are near suicide, I think we need more African American in these positions. If it became the norm to talk about our feelings with others in the community I think it can help a lot of people.

We also discussed in class the many reasons why black man might be so closed-off. The one explanation I found interesting was in regards to women raising young black men with the absence of a father. I believe that absence is the answer to so many of the problems black men face and they are not the only one. Women also suffer later in life when seeking love from absent father role.

For men, growing up with a single mother can be tough. Society already expects them to act like the man of the house and protect those under them but the problem lies in that they don’t have a place to go when they need it the most. There are a lot of things a single mother can teach a young man but men need an example that they can relate to and that’s something I don’t believe a single mother can provide. I have all the respect in the world for single mothers doing everything on their own but I can’t help but think that the absence of dominate male lead is the reason for so many problems.

“Self in community: African American women’s views of self-esteem”. 

The two components of self-esteem for black women are need for Self- Reliance and need for social support. The article states that self –reliance can be found from church and the family. It gives women the sense of independence and strength. Self-reliance is also important because it gives them a sense of self-worth and not depending on others for their happiness.  Social support comes from the people that instill in us our values at a young age. They include the family but also out neighborhood and community.

Found: 85, 000 Black gay households. Essay by Alain Dang & Somjen Grazer.

 Contrary to what many might want to believe heterosexual and black same-sex couples have a lot in common. The one I found interesting was that black female same-sex couples are raising non-biological children at the same rate as black married opposite-sex couple. This is a sensitive topic in that many Americans don’t believe same-sex couples should even be allowed to adopt.14% might seem like a low number but considering the struggle and other consideration that a same-sex couple would go through in the process of adoption I find 14% high. An adoption process takes time and money for opposite-sex couples so I could only imagine the harsh screening process same-sex couples go through.

Pitts, L (1998) The choice to be gay    AND Watson, J (2004). Strange Bedfellows

From the movie we watched, A different Type of Black Man I believe that being gay is not a choice. There was a man on the video that said if he could take a pill to be normal he would and that lets us know that it’s not a choice. Most of the men realized at a young age they are different and they did everything in their power to blind till they finally accepted who they are. As a Christian I do believe in the Bible and everything it stands for but I am not going to judge someone using the Bible.  We had a great discussion in class where a student stated that people take the Bible and only interpret in a way that fits their lifestyle and what they are doing right while ignoring their wrong doing. I think if someone is going to use the Bible to put down a community they should first fallow and uphold every bit of the Bible in our own life.

Understanding the marginalization of gay and gender non-conforming black male students.

The best way to combat homophobia in the Black community is to address it head on. I think we have been better about acceptance but having a conversation and understanding each other will be the best way. If we as a community are open-minded then it becomes easy to teach college students to be accepting. College campuses can have a panel of students talking about their own life experience will help others understand.

At least I’m not gay: Heterosexual identity-making among poor teens. 

This article makes coming out for African American gay and lesbian teens extremely difficult. It’s bad enough that they to deal with the stigma associated with the community. Recently there has been a trend of teen suicide due to not being accepted by peers or loved ones and the ones on the news are those of white teens and with the lack of black psychologist available for Black children it has to be difficult regardless of what quadrant they may fall.

Homophobia Quiz

I was just shocked by some of the questions on this quiz. The fact that they have to ask if it was okay that homosexual people work with children was just absurd. Children I feel like are the most open-minded, non-judgmental humans and to ask if it’s okay that a gay man/woman work with them is just crazy.

Love and Manhood

New York Times

I don’t believe it should be a concern to be 30 and never been married but a concern that she can’t seem to find a man that’s her equal. I feel like marriage is pressed against women in general but the focus seem to be more on women than men on why they are single. I found the fact that 73.1 percent of black men between the ages of 25 and 29 have never been married to be shocking. Like we discussed in class African American women are getting married as they get older and older so the age cap at 29 might not be as telling. The author also mentions interracial dating as a solution but when white men are not ‘choosing’ to be with a black women as she states in the article, it can be hard.

From the Bethea article, “African-American Women and the Male-Female Relationship Dilemma: A Counseling Perspective”:   

I think stereotypes have kept Black men and women apart and therefore the Black family is becoming uncommon. I think the negative view of both sex have been detrimental to the Black Family. From previous articles we have read we learned how black men used to cherish their families with the highest standard but in recent times it seems like a family is the last thing on a men’s mind. The sad part to me is that it’s not only society that’s filled with this view but we also use it against one another within the community. I hear so many of my friends say they don’t date African American women based on things they see in Bad Girls Club or Love and Hip Hop. I think the media is the biggest obstacle in reaching a high, successful marriage within the  African American community. This is true especially to the younger generation where most of the TV they watch is filled with “reality shows” and not really seeing a functional black family on TV if they dont have a role model at home.   

Issues and Approaches

Open communication: I think communication is important in all aspect of life and the article mentions that problems are never resolved because of broken communication. I think if there was an open environment where people’s true intentions were heard and understood, it would solve a lot of our day to day problems.

Stereotypes: we all have a reason we hold certain stereotypes to be true and so having a better understanding of where these view black women hold in regards to men are rooted from can help break barriers between black men and women.

Loss: I personally think that a personal loss can guide or misguide us and our view and take on the world. Loss is something thats hard to discuss so having a better method of dealing with loss and grief can be extremely beneficial.

  

 Being a man about it: Manhood meaning among African American men.

 Defining Manhood-

·         An interconnected state of being

·         A fluid process

·         Redemptive process

·         Proactive course

I was not surprised that Responsibility – Accountability was top ranked. I

believe that these are important to every man.  I just don’t think men voice them like

women do.

**Steve Harveys take on current state of Young Black Men

Relationship & Class

             

Living in a class apart

Living in a class apart discusses how there is a divide or subgroup within the African American. Those that were privileged enough to grow up in elite communities and those they looked down on. In our class discussion a point was raised in regards to African Americans not looking out for their counterparts, while other cultures seem to stay as a collectivist society. I think this has a lot to do with our mindset of “me against the world”. In this economy everyone is doing their best to stay stable but if you have more, than you should WANT to help others in the community. I don’t think it’s a requirement or a burden but I think unity is something the African American community is missing.

What’s love got to do with it?: Disparity between black men and women

The article covers the basis in why women are advancing further. The only thing I could add would be that women tend to mature faster than men. By the time women reach high school they practically have planned their future while men still struggle trying to find their identity. This point is true for every group not just African Americans but with so much uncertainty and circumstances it’s the only explanation I have besides ones already stated in the article.

“Successful women who are childless”

29% of African American women between 28-55 years old and earning over $55,000 a year are married. When Cornel West entered Harvard in 1970 the ratio of black men to black women was close to even. Today, the ratio is close to 9-1 female.

 

Franklins article African American Families depicts a completely different view on the African American family. It tells stories of men going the extra length to be with their wife if they were allowed to marry and their children. Which is something  to take pride in but also we need that mindset in our society.

    

From the article by Eckholm, E. (2006), “Studies sound alarm on plight of black males”

*Black men are becoming far more disconnected from mainstream society, and to far greater than comparable white or Hispanic men. Finishing high school has become the exception, legal work is scarcer than ever and prison is sadly become a routine.

The high rate of incarceration and attendant flood of former offenders into neighborhood have become major impediments. Second factor will be strict enforcement of child support. Improved collection of money from absent fathers has been a pillar of welfare overhaul.

“Bring me home a black girl” 

Increasing number of interracial union is leading to "Annihilation through integration” a weakening of the culture and economic resources of the black community. McLarin article tells a different story In that an African American woman is pursuing a relationship outside her race and so it opens new potential relationships. Although it did not work out for her it could possibly increase the marriageability index. When I hear about interracial relationships it’s always seems like it’s about a black man and a white woman so it’s a great view point when it’s reversed and there is a culture conflict that a black man might not address.

The Seven Principles

PART 1

Early Days and Slavery(1400’s-1865)

1773---The first book by an African American is published (in England) when Phillis Wheatley, then a slave, publishes "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral."

After years of prohibition against African Americans getting the right to read and write this year signifies an educational opportunity.

1787 Free blacks in New York City found the African Free School, where future leaders Henry Highland Garnett and Alexander Crummell are educated.

I think this opened up an opportunity to self-educate and help one another.

Building Democracy (1866-1953)

1866-The white supremacist organization known as the Ku Klux Klan is founded in Tennessee.

This was time where open violence and racism were accepted within society.

1890-Mississippi enacts a poll tax, which most African Americans cannot afford to pay, to try to keep blacks from voting.

With the current political debates and low voting this is still relevant.

Civil Rights Era (1954-1971)

1957 Althea Gibson becomes the first African American tennis player to win a major title by winning both the women's singles and doubles championships at Wimbledon.

One of the ways the black family has been able to be successful is to pursuit other ventures besides education and this in particular opportunity shows a positive image to the public.

1968 Martin Luther King, Jr., is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. His murder sparks a week of rioting across the country.

As a well-respected civil rights leader, the assassination of Martin Luther King,Jr I think started a division and tension for the African American community with others.

Modern Times(1972-Present)

1991 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Holdings, Inc., founded by Robert L. Johnson, becomes the first African American company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

BET is house hold name in my family and in many Africa American household, It has tremendous influence on young children and how they view and differentiate themselves in community. I also believe BET gives the black community a sense of pride and ownership.

2002 Halle Berry becomes the first African American woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress, for her performance in Monster's Ball

I can personally remember this moment and I think it’s significant not just for African Americans but as an industry. Halle Berry is one of the most well-known and recognized positive image in entertainment. I think these also inspired little girls that they are not limited in what they can achieve in the entertainment world.

PART 2

EVENT 1773---The first book by an African American is published (in England) when Phillis Wheatley, then a slave, publishes "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral."

After years of prohibition against African Americans getting the right to read and write this year signifies an educational opportunity. Now not only can blacks read but they can relate to the content beyond just the words. The opportunities for black families to excel scholastically and to provide future generation a work that can never be taken away. With so much oppression this is something to be proud of and even pass down.

Nguzo Saba: 1) Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves. Also, descried as speaking our personal truth and with something as personal as writing poems I thing this event is great reflection.2) Kuumba (creativity)  To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial that we inherited it.

1787 Free blacks in New York City found the African Free School, where future leaders Henry Highland Garnett and Alexander Crummell are educated.

I think lack education or quality is something that still affects the African American family but not all. Similar to 1773 this educational opportunity significant in that it shows willingness and ability that’s at core of everyone. This was a school found for and by and so the significant is huge in giving African American Families track to education.

Nguzo Saba:1) Ujima( Collective work and responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our sisters and brothers problems  our problems and to solve them together.2) Nia (purpose)- to make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness

1866-The white supremacist organization known as the Ku Klux Klan is founded in Tennessee.

The display of racism exhibited by the KKK I believe is damaging to the African American families. I think it effects self-esteem and brings self-doubt to individuals. The public display of open violence I think is still prevalent. This was time where the black community had to look out for one another like never before.

Nguzo Saba: 1) Umoja(unity) to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, notion, and race.2) Ujima( Collective work and responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our sisters and brothers problems  our problems and to solve them together.

1890-Mississippi enacts a poll tax, which most African Americans cannot afford to pay, to try to keep blacks from voting.

With such low voting turn out among African Americans, this poll tax might have stopped a tradition of caring about politics or just being involved in politics election after election. Poll tax became a barrier for African Americans to care about politics, they would have to go the extra mile to get involved and I don’t think with the turmoil in politics at the time they has a fair chance for generations to come.

Nguzo Saba:1) Nia (purpose)- to make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.2) Ujamaa)cooperative Economics) to build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.

PART 3

Ujamaa(Cooperative Economics) is one of the seven principle I found evident in both Dynamic Duo and Harvey articles. Dynamic Duo talks about how they as a couple want to help revive the black community. They are in a position where they can influence others and it seem like they take their role seriously. Harvey states his intentions are to create a collective effort within the African American culture.