Black Psychology

A Mind Is A Terrible Thing to Waste

Traditional Psychology Perspectives

Euro-American Value Culturally Biased Afriphobic Dismissive of Africa Scientifically racist

Black Psychology African American experience is

quite different. Black psychologist look to

worldviews or social realities as an explanation of the disparities among the ethnicities.

“Black psychology and the psychology of Blackness reflect an attempt to build a conceptual model that organizes, explains, and leads to understanding the psychological behavior of African-Americans based on the primary dimensions of an African-American world view.”

Types of Black Psychologyaccording to Maulena Karenga Traditional – apply European norms in

analyzing Black behavior. Reformist – adapt conventional thought to

conform to African American “experience with little regard for African foundations.”

Radical – African ethos is the way to analyze Black behavior independent of European theory. It includes “African religion, philosophy, spiritualism, ritualism, concept of time, and worldview as the foundation of Black psychology.”

The Differences Africans

Nature – seek harmony and unity

Person – seek collectivism

Relationships – seek to work with others in an egalitarian way

Religion – spiritual Transformation --

rituals

Europeans Nature –

dominance and control

Person – seek individualism

Relationships – seek to dominate others through hierarchy

Religion – rational Transformation --

aggression

Key words Rhythm Oral tradition Soul Extended self Natural Survival of the

group

Psychological Dimensions of Oppression

Slavery and Racism

Slavery on Black Psychology Slavery lasted for more than 300

years Emancipation was proclaimed

about 140 years ago. Legalized segregation ended only

about 50 years ago. Attitudes and feelings still persist.

The Torture of Slavery “Slavery was an enduring form of

torture of the minds, bodies and souls of Africans.”

The Effects of Slavery The effects of slavery on the

African was pervasive. The enslaved were: Brainwashed Afflicted with self rejection and

alienation Made to fear their captors Developed a dependency

Making Slaves

The House Negro and the Field Negro

Kenneth M Stampp He says that there were three five

steps to controlling the enslaved used by the planters: Establish and maintain strict discipline Convince the African that he was inferior Awe them with the slave holders sense of

power Persuade the bondsman to take an active

interest in the slave holders well-being Imbue a sense of helplessness within

Akbar and Wright Na’im Akbar and Bobby Wright

contend that slavery continues to have a influence on the psychology of African Americans.

Akbar contends that certain “individual behaviors are influenced by collective factors which are historically remote.”

Attitudes related to

were affected by slavery

Property Work Leadership “Clowning”

Personal inferiority

Community division

Family instability Color

consciousness

Property – mixed feelings. On one hand slaves would get pleasure in destroying the slaveholders property. On the other hand blacks were attracted to these material things.

Work – because of inadequate compensation work was punishment and therefore avoided.

Leadership – leaders were eliminated, downplayed or co-opted to serve the interest of the slave holders. Consequently blacks became “hesitant toward strong Black leaders.”

Unity – unity was affected by the social stratification of the field slave versus the house slave. The semi free and mulatto slaves were used to divide the community.

Family life – families were split indiscriminately and strong family ties were discouraged. Slaves were used as studs, multiplicity of partners was encouraged.

Clowning – blacks were “allowed” to entertain whites as jester, clown or fool. This accounts for the “over representation” of blacks in the entertainment industry.

Akbar and Fanon “Both slavery and colonialism

causes the victims to internalize certain destructive behavioral traits or characteristics which contribute to their continued oppression long after freedom or decolonization has been achieved.”

Most Black psychologist support the idea the racism is the source of social dysfunction, aberrant behavior and cultural alienation and continue to impact the mental health of African Americans.

“Racism is the abstract component of physical racial slavery.”

The Effects of Racism

The Mental Health Dilemma

Black and White Approaches Most Black psychologist argue that

the European model for psychology is not adaptable to Black behavior, personality, and mental functions.

Racism affects Worldview Self Perception Perception of

others Vocation Education Religious

Preference

Outlook on life Perspective on

Money Material Relationships Self potential Government Authority

and . . . . . . Mental Health

“. . . racism and racial antagonism cause African Americans to an undue amount of depression, stress, anger and hypertension.”

Improper coping mechanisms can lead to social and biological problems.

Although there may be many factors which lead to depression, including some biological ones, it is logical to think that racism and discrimination may play a role in it.

“Race and color more than any other factors, determines the collective quality of life, achievement potential, health and life-chances of African Americans.”

Even in the face of this African Americans manage to develop positive coping mechanisms and very often push themselves to achieve to disprove the stereotype.

However the tremendous drive to succeed may itself contribute to depression, anger, alienation, etc.

Telos The goal of Black psychologist is to

understand Blacks and provide means by which they can develop healthy psychological functioning.

W.E. Cross stages Cross outline five stages of Blacks

from weak Negro to strong positive self image. Pre-encounter Encounter Immersion-Emersion Internalization Internalization-Commitment

The Stages of Healthy Development Pre-encounter – Devoid of any black

frame of reference. Embraces all things European and is Afriphobic

Encounter – The person encounters a racial incident which moves that person to explore her Blackness.

Immersion/emersion – The person become immersed in anything and everything black. She adopts black clothes, hairstyle, speech and mannerisms.

Internalization – She becomes comfortable with her new Black identity. She thinks and acts Black.

Internalization/commitment – At this stage she has committed herself to being Black consciously. She is not only culturally sure but “politically committed towards the eradication of racial injustice and irresponsibility.

African Characteristics

A Proposed Remedy for the Black Psyche Overly Exposed

to Racism

Wade Nobles Noted African

American scholar puts forth a Black Psychology that uses African Philosophy as its model.

                                                                

http://pzacad.pitzer.edu/~hfairchi/phoabpsi.html

African Ethos People are

part of nature; the natural rhythm of life

Collective effort is the survival of the tribe

Five Features Philosophy and Religion Notion of Unity Concept of Time Death and Immortality Kinship and Collective Unity

http://www.welltempered.net/adinkra/htmls/adinkra/gyen.htm

Philosophy and Religion There exists a

strong relationship between philosophy and religion. Collective

consciousness Oral traditions

http://dickinsg.intrasun.tcnj.edu/diaspora/religion_photos.html

http://home.concepts-ict.nl/~kimmerle/ceabaluyamask.jpg

Notion of Unity Human beings are

part of nature. Humans are the center but not apart from others (animals, plants and natural phenomena).

http://www.balibamboofurniture.com/african/africa-unity.htm

http://www.welltempered.net/adinkra/htmls/adinkra/nkon.htm

Concept of Time Time is present

and past. Time is also event conscious as opposed to number conscious. Two Swahili words: Sasa – present Zamani – past

http://www.africanbeatsart.com/Danny_page4.htmhttp://www.welltempered.net/adinkra/htmls/adinkra/sank.htm

Death and Immortality Death was part of

the rhythm of life. After one died one lived as long as one was remembered and recognized by those who knew the person.

http://www.welltempered.net/adinkra/htmls/adinkra/owuo-atwedee.htm

http://www.welltempered.net/adinkra/htmls/adinkra/nyawu.htm

http://www.overberginfo.com/marusa_mason/glimpse_of_life_and_death.htm

Kinship and Collective Unity Kinship controlled

all relations in the community and included animals, plants and non-living objects.

http://www.welltempered.net/adinkra/htmls/adinkra/esen.htm

http://dpicg.com/joan_beech/chapters/chapter_14.html

African American community is Experiential community

Africans do not go for the mind/body split where the body is bad and the mind is good.