Given the emphasis on African Americans, it should be noted that contemporary black Americans are a heterogeneous group which consists of those born in the United States and refuges or immigrants from Haiti, the Caribbean, South America, and Africa. (Cabral, Freid, Levenson, Amaro, & Zuckerman, 1990). Each group differs in terms of heritage, language, culture and health beliefs and health practices. Guidelines to begin the process of incorporation of race consciousness as a component of cultural competence professional development would consist of:
- Conducting a self-appraisal of racial and ethnic heritage that includes:
- Place of birth
- Length of time in country and history of migration
- Ethnic affiliation and identity
- Primary and secondary languages
- Style of communication
- Religion
- Food practices
- Health beliefs and health practices
- Customs around transitions, such as births and illnesses (Lipson et al., 1996)
- How the AA feels about attitudes, feelings, and beliefs towards African Americans and persons of color
Watts, R. (2003). Race consciousness and the health of African Americans. OJIN, 8(1), http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume82003/No1Jan2003/RaceandHealth.html
Assignment
You can complete this assignment one of two ways:
- Interview an African American (AA) if possible one not from the U.S. or
- Research one of the heterogeneous groups of AA from the United States and refugees or immigrants from Haiti, the Caribbean, South America, and Africa.
