African Of African American Culture - 1572 Words

There is no doubt that African Americans have a rich cultural background and history like the many different ethnic groups who settled in the New World, whose origins lie in another country. For this reason, America was known as the melting pot. However, the backgrounds of each of these cultures were not always understood or, in the case of African Americans, accepted among the New World society and culture. Americans were ignorant to the possibility of differences among groups of people until information and ideas started to emerge, particularly, the African retention theories. This sparked an interest in the field of African culture and retention in African Americans. However, the study of African American culture truly emerged as a result of increased awareness in America, specifically through the publication and findings of scholarly research and cultural events like the Harlem Renaissance where all ethnicities were able to see this rich historical culture of African Americans. There were many who became dedicated to this field of study, but two of the most predominant researchers and scholars of the African retention theories were Lorenzo Turner and Melville Herskovits. While both researchers examined different aspects of culture, Herskovits and Turner were both convinced that there was indeed African retention in African American culture and society (Wade-Lewis 402). Turner specifically researched linguistic retention, while Herskovits researched many aspects of theShow MoreRelatedAfrican American Culture in a Modern American Dominant Sociology2841 Words   |  12 PagesAfrican American Culture in a Modern American Dominant Sociology Intro to Sociology September 3, 2010 Janice Caparro African American culture in the United States refers to the cultural contributions of Americans African descent to the culture of the United States, either as part of or distinct from American culture. The distinct identity of African American culture is rooted in the historical experience of the African American people. The culture is both distinct and enormously influentialRead MoreAfrican American Vernacular Traditions: Integrated Into Modern Culture1292 Words   |  6 PagesAfrican American Vernacular Traditions: Integrated Into Modern Culture African American vernacular traditions have been around for many centuries and still cease to exist in their culture. The vernacular traditions of the African Americans started when slaves were existent in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. It is believed that the slaves spoke a mix of Creole and partial English, in which they had to create in order to communicate between them discreetly. The vernacular traditions originatedRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance : An Influential Movement Of African American Culture1802 Words   |  8 Pagesfrom 1918 to 1937, and was the most influential movement of people of African American culture. It mostly involved literary, musical, theatrical, and visual arts. African Americans were trying to re-conceptualize white people’s outlooks on them as a whole. White people had plenty of stereotypes toward African Americans. They were racist toward them and had animosity toward them as well. White people always had African American people as slave s throughout history and even thought slavery was overRead MoreThe Meaning of Jazz in African American Culture Particularly in Harlem During the 1950’s2384 Words   |  10 PagesThe Meaning of Jazz in African American Culture Particularly in Harlem During the 1950’s In the Baldwin’s story, Sonny’s Blues, the author portrays African -Americans in the urban life. Even though he writes about reconciliation of two brothers, who are trying to overcome their differences and to come to understand each other, the story shows the meaning of Jazz in African American culture, particularly in Harlem during 1950. The urban life in Harlem has being described by many authors, includingRead MoreAfrican Americans And African American Culture953 Words   |  4 Pagesand perception of the African American culture. One common characteristic is that African Americans are much more likely to live in poverty and poverty stricken areas than White Americans (McNamara Burns, 2009). What I have learned it is not as simple as African Americans are poorer than White Americans. While the statement is true, it is simplistic. There are many reasons and. causes for the disparity in wealth and income between African Americans and White American. One explanation givenRead MoreAfrican Americans And African American Culture Essay1804 Words   |  8 Pagesblack America? African American culture in the United States has evolved continuously throughout United States history carrying on various cultural traditions of African ethnic groups brought here during slavery. The U.S. Census Bureau defines African Americ ans as a person having origins in any of the Black race groups of Africa.[1]. African American culture is derived chiefly from people originated from sub-Saharan and Sahelian cultures in Africa. Over hundreds of years, black culture has partiallyRead MoreAfrican-American Culture2578 Words   |  11 PagesRunning head: AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURE African-American Culture Abstract In this paper I discuss the African-American culture in regards to values, norms and beliefs. I also discuss my family’s adaptation to these values, norms and beliefs along with my own individual cultural sense of identity. Lastly, this paper reflects the impact of my role and ethical responsibilities as a social worker, especially in relation to working with the Hmong family in the book The Spirit Catches You and YouRead MoreAfrican Americans And The American Culture Essay1630 Words   |  7 PagesThe American culture is define to everyone in their own way. Everyone grows up differently in a particular community that shares the same languages, values, rules, and customs. The American Culture on that is consider to be a â€Å"melting pot†, because of all the different cultures that reside inside of it making it so diverse. Race in this country has never been a great topic throughout history. African Americans play a huge role into defining what our culture is as a whole, as well as being a partRead MoreAfrican American Culture in the Americas741 Words   |  3 Pages African Americans brought over a distinctive culture into America from Africa. The Africans can create many different sounds that we never knew about. They revived the way we held church and worship, and brought joy to many citizens. African Americans enslaved by the South created a truly magnificent culture in slavery using new music, oral traditions, and religious ideas. Many African countries are known for their spectacular music, and during the time of slavery many African American slavesRead MoreAfrican American Music Culture1490 Words   |  6 PagesAfrican American Music Culture Jakiella James â€Å"African-American gospel music is a major influence in nearly all genres of modern popular music, from rhythm ‘n blues to jazz, from soul to rock ‘n roll. The musical genre is a unique expression of the black experience in America? The emotionally-charged, wailing vocals and syncopated rhythms give the music a distinctive style. The singing is accompanied not only by instrumentals, but often also by hand-clapping, foot-stomping and shouting