Category: African American

Introduction

The number of African Americans in baseball has remained quite small in the United States. The issue is social in nature since it affects people in the nation differently. A detailed study will reveal the major reasons why African Americans have not been involved in this sport. This paper gives an analysis of this social predicament and explains how a research study can be done to understand it much better.

Analysis of the Issue

Statistics indicate that the highest percentage of African American players in baseball was recorded in 1981 at 18.7 percent (Hogan 2014). Today, the proportion has reduced significantly to less than 5 percent (Brown and Bennett 2015). It is important to analyze this problem from a sociological perspective in order to understand its root causes and propose evidence-based solutions to deal with it.

Sociological approaches can present theoretical exemplars for examining how social foundations influence human relations and behaviors. For instance, conflict theory is a model that explains how competition for resources and opportunities exists in a given society. The struggle results in a situation whereby the elite dominates and control the less fortunate. The lack of opportunities is believed to be a major reason why African Americans have not been keen to embrace the sport. Symbolic interactionism also describes how specific individuals interpret the surrounding environment (Brown and Bennett 2015). When people attach specific meanings to events or symbols, their behaviors and notions tend to be influenced accordingly.

The use of sociological perspectives can make it easier for scholars to understand why African Americans do not embrace baseball. This understanding can ensure better practices and approaches are considered to transform the situation (Brown and Bennett 2015). When different racial groups are involved in social activities such as sports, it becomes possible for them to achieve upward mobility and maximize their potential.

Past studies have indicated clearly that baseballs inability to promote instant excitement is one of the factors discouraging African Americans from embracing it. Since many African Americans are born out of wedlock, it becomes extremely hard for them to promote the sport (Hogan 2014). Experts also believe that past sociological developments and race relations in the United States have played a significant role in determining who plays baseball.

Peer-Reviewed Research Article Summary

The article Foul Lines: Teaching Race in Jim Crow America through Baseball History describes how the story of Jackie Robinson, the first baseball player from the African American community, should act as a reminder of the nature of race relations in the country. Robinson is believed to have broken the sports color line (Laliberte 2013). Unfortunately, the future would be gloomy for every member of the race focusing on baseball. The article indicates that baseball was only viewed as an appropriate game for African Americans before 1947.

The author observes that athletic segregation emerged after the period whereby non-whites and whites were expected to play separately. This notion defined the future of baseball in the country. Many African American players (and those from other races) believed that unwritten rules or boundaries existed, thereby affecting the nature of the sport (Laliberte 2013). Similarly, the overwhelming support from members of the white community appeared to reinforce this racial gap.

The exclusion of people of color during the 1950s discouraged more African Americans from joining the sport. This existing racial barrier made it hard for people of African descent to play baseball (Laliberte 2013). The increased level of stigma against different racial groups explains why African Americans believed that the sport was preserved for white players.

The author goes further to explain how the perceptions of African Americans encouraged them to ignore the sport. Additionally, members of the race viewed baseball as a unique game that promoted racism in the country (Laliberte 2013). The individuals were, therefore, against the sport since it was being used as a medium for promoting ethical tensions. A proper understanding of these issues can guide communities to deal with this social challenge and encourage more people to embrace the sport.

Conclusion

Baseball is one of the sports characterized by significant challenges such as race misrepresentation and inequality. Researchers in sociology acknowledge that the reduced number of African Americans in baseball is a reflection of Americas past race relations. A comprehensive analysis of this social problem can present meaningful insights that can be used to transform the situation and address the emerging challenge.

References

Brown, Brandon, and Gregg Bennett. 2015. Baseball is Whack! Exploring the Lack of African Baseball Consumption. Journal of Sport and Social Issues 39(4):1-14.

Hogan, Lawrence D. 2014. The Forgotten History of African American Baseball. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.

Laliberte, David J. 2013. Foul Lines: Teaching Race in Jim Crow America through Baseball History. The History Teacher 46(3):329-353.

Simons, William M. 2013. Out of Left Field: Jews and Black Baseball by Rebecca T. Alpert (Review). American Jewish History 97(3):315-317.

Introduction

Even though the United States declares the equality of white and black people quite often, the socio-economic situation of African Americans still needs some significant changes for the better. Moreover, measures to eliminate discrimination are often only informational or propagandist. For instance, many black people live in extreme poverty, but the US government lacks measures to help them somehow. Nevertheless, this is a critical problem that has to be resolved as soon as possible. The purpose of this paper is to consider the economic problems of modern African-American families and propose ways to solve them.

Literature Review

It is necessary to state that there are many differences even between African-American families. According to Boyd-Franklin (2016), the great diversity of values, characteristics, and lifestyles that arises from such elements as geographical origins, level of acculturation, socioeconomic status, education, religious background, and age must be considered in any discussion of Black families in order to avoid stereotyping (p. 5). Indeed, some of them strive for development and full life, while some others are satisfied with the current conditions. However, the paper focuses on issues that are widespread among African American families. Undoubtedly, not each of these families needs support, but the general situation is tough.

One of the most notable signs of the actual social status of black people in the US is economic inequality. Even in the 21st century, many African Americans are far poorer than people representing different races in the US. The reason for this is the conservation of poverty in African American communities. Many black people actually became successful in the United States: there are famous black politics, businessmen, musicians, and other popular people. However, most African-Americans do not have such achievements and remain poor. Moreover, the poverty of the African American population keeps increasing continuously (Chukwu, 2016). The development of poverty, in particular, is caused by the American economys development features. Researchers state that the markets demand for unskilled labor decreases (Ehrenberg & Smith, 2016). It causes another problem: more African Americans without proper education always stay unemployed.

The social inequality between African-Americans and white people is mostly caused by the discriminatory policies carried out at the beginning of the 20th century. Undoubtedly, this negatively affects the bad relations between people of different races even after the past decades. Until our time, most white and black Americans still represent completely different social groups and are separated from each other. African Americans have their identity, and in some aspects, it does not have anything in common with the identity of the general American. Moreover, sometimes it even contradicts it in issues related to culture, religion, and others.

One manifestation of this is the massive spread of Islam among black Americans. To some extent, the adoption of Islam was seen by many African Americans as a way to emphasize their otherness. They sought to emphasize that they do not belong to the European culture related to Christianity, but to the Afro-Arab culture (El Malik, 2016). However, most African Americans are still Christians, even though some of them are involved in purely African-American communities. They usually are not connected with the church communities of white people. The purpose of religion is to unite people and direct their thoughts and actions in one way. Unfortunately, in this situation, racial prejudice is stronger than spirituality.

Social and economic inequality is related to the social deprivation of the black US population. The percentage of the highest proportion of the black community is located in the southern states, once the centers of plantation slavery. Still, largely African American populations remain in some southern states. However, a vast number of African Americans live in the biggest cities of the country, especially in New York. In places of living of African-Americans, a living standard is usually much worse than in areas of residence of white Americans (Chukwu, 2016). People often consider the quarters inhabited by black people as social ghettos in which poverty, street crime, drugs, and alcoholism are presented. Often, this is not the case, but living conditions can really make people go to illegal actions.

Social inequality in the black population of the US is also evident in the health sector. Since most African Americans belong to lower social classes, they do not have money to care for their health. Plus, the lifestyle of many African Americans is by no means conducive to improving medical performance. The average life expectancy of African American people is 57 years lower than the average life expectancy of white citizens of American (Novak, 2018). Unfortunately, good and timely medical services for the majority of African Americans are unavailable due to their high cost. Moreover, in the African American ghetto, a culture of caring for ones health has not been created. Although African-American families have a relatively high rate of birth, the family values crisis in black America is manifested much more clearly: a considerable number of children are born out of wedlock.

Possible Solutions

There are many possible implications for the research and for the social work with black families. The issue must be approached comprehensively, solving problems both at the state level and within individual families. This will help correct the current situation and influence favorable changes in the future. First of all, these measures must be applied at the legislative level. The rights of African Americans must be equated with the rights of white people, and discrimination must be eliminated entirely. Amendments to the health system should also be considered. Black people should be able to receive timely medical care because otherwise, they will not be able to live fully. If the government cannot provide these services, there could be solutions related to charity and private doctors. It is also necessary to actively work on the education of black children and even adults. Many of them do not have access to quality education, and for this reason, they do not have the opportunity to master even basic skills and knowledge (Lomotey et al., 2016). This prevents them from becoming full members of society, using their potential.

There are many practices that are aimed at close communication with individual families that can help to achieve this goal. First of all, various public organizations act as assistants in this situation. Many of them collect donations that provide low-income African-American families with essential food and other products. Such intervention in families is usually beneficial for their condition. They do not spend too much energy on low-paying jobs, so they can, for instance, pay more attention to raising their children.

To work with these families, it is necessary to distribute social roles among the participants in the events. It requires people responsible for the development of educational and charitable programs, advertising, direct family visits, and fundraising. Moreover, it is necessary to consider the cultural features of African American people. These actions should not contradict their views related to religion, community, family, and other factors. At present, this model of intervention is not always based on the culture, while it is very important for the best understanding of African American families. However, this approach may also negatively affect families. Understanding that they do not need to earn a living on their own, they can stop dealing with this issue and live a carefree and irresponsible life. Thus, it is necessary to distribute funds competently and combine financial assistance to poor African American families with educational work.

There are already many educational institutions aimed at primary education for children from African American families. They help in two aspects at once: children become more educated, and their parents have time for housekeeping and work (Lomotey et al., 2016). However, the main difficulty lies in the organization of such institutions. Their maintenance requires a lot of costs; moreover, people are not always willing to take their children there. Another challenge related to this idea is searching for teachers. If these problems cannot be solved, there should be another way of solution. For instance, teachers may visit these families and arrange lessons at home. It may be even less expensive than building a new school, moreover, people will fill a high level of care.

Thus, measures to help poor African-American families are being taken now, but their implementation is a difficult task. Significant efforts and investments from the state are needed to resolve this problem fully. A wide range of people who are willing to provide people with assistance free of charge is required as well. Undoubtedly, the help will be useless without the desire of the African Americans themselves. To help black people successfully, there should be a deep understanding of their culture and themselves. Such assistance should in no case be imposed, but people need to be informed that the process will benefit them. Thanks to collective efforts, a positive effect can be achieved. It may be a significant beneficial change for the whole nation.

References

Boyd-Franklin, N. (2006). Black families in therapy: Understanding the African American experience. The Guilford Press.

Chukwu, R. L. (2016). Blacks and poverty. AuthorHouse.

Ehrenberg, R. G., & Smith, R. S. (2016). Modern labor economics: Theory and public policy (international student edition). Routledge.

El Malik, A. (2016). Bismillah & bean pies: How black Americans crafted an Islamic expression through nationalism. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

Lomotey, K., Jackson, P. B., Adem, M., Ruf, P. X., Copeland, V. C., Huerta, A., & Brown, D. L. (2016). People of color in the United Stated: Contemporary issues in education, work, communities, health, and immigration [4 volumes]. ABC-CLIO.

Novak, M. (2018). Issues in Aging (4^th ed.). Routledge.

The history of racial discrimination in America is long, intense and eventful, and is inseparably linked to the history of the country. Although nowadays the society is at the point of realizing how crucial it is to have a similar attitude towards each of its members, the issue is still relevant, because the practical actions are needed for changing the situation. Having an opportunity to overcome the problem of racism in America requires at least a thorough study of the phenomenons history. Also, there is a necessity to spread the knowledge of the racisms history and discuss to ensure the next generations tolerance.

The issue of racism of the police is topical because the examples of lawlessness and unfair treatment of people based on their race are still relatively frequent. Moreover, many researchers continue to investigate this problem from different perspectives and angles, trying to develop a solution based on historical experience and understanding the reasons. The study conducted by Cunningham and Gillezeau has revealed that African American uprisings in the 1960s and early 1970s lead to an immediate increase in police killings of civilians across racial groupings (2019). Furthermore, the effects of using lethal force Are persistent for non-whites and subside for whites. (Cunningham and Gillezeau, 2019).

Modern research in the development of racism is mainly devoted to the unlawful experiences of non-white people or to the analytics of events that caused massive non-white deaths. One more example of articles related to the topic is the one by Brunson. He states that Residents of disadvantaged communities have a risk of experiencing direct and indirect contact with the police because of the aggressive crime-control strategies to which they are exposed. (2007). Additionally, 60% of young men said that almost always it is hard to talk to the police, 50% claimed the police are often impolite, half said the police are seldom polite (Brunson, 2007). The study described peoples attitude to police, and the results showed that many people are afraid of them due to the possibility of their unpredictable violating actions instead of protection.

Consequently, racial profiling cannot be left unnoticed in this discussion. Seigel highlights that police structures members became so willing to show their force due to their historical development  the governmental stimulation and encouragement of young people to join police (2017). The study describes how changing strategies from imperial and domestic affected the police tactics even in peacetime (Seigel, 2017). In particular, peoples attitude to police was changing when young soldiers become career police or when police are sent abroad to pacify defeated peoples. (Seigel, 2017). This means that there were governmental policy-caused factors in addition to personal reasons, which contributed to the development of police injustice.

The idea I would like to emphasize is that the history of a disrespectful attitude of the police towards different social groups, including African Americans, is long-lasting and full of frightening examples. The key facts, which could help solve the problem may be in its history. At least, remembering everything that has been done makes us more tolerant and open-minded. It is commonly assumed that the roots of todays racism-connected protests go back to 1968s chaos, but in fact, they go far deeper into American history (Sugrue, 2020). The first wave of racial uprisings appeared at the beginning of the XX century, culminating in the so-called Red Summer of 1919, when dozens of massacres and riots occurred (Sugrue, 2020). In other words, the protests, in the beginning, were associated with police and were caused by both non-white people and the police.

The idea of police brutality has been in peoples minds for much longer than it is usually assumed. In 1929 the Illinois Crime Survey was published, which revealed that 30% of victims of police killings were African American, while they made up just five percent of the areas population (Nodjimbadem, 2020). Combining with the present situation, when people still have to worry about how to protect themselves if they are not white, We need to dismantle the whole system and rebuild it again (Samaria Rice, The Guardian, 2020). This can be explained by the condition of the situation, which has not drastically improved in the last 10 or 20 years, meaning the changes should be more prominent.

The importance of researching such substantial topics for society is evident to me. Looking for information on injustice, inequity, and intolerance connected with racism is beneficial for any student because it is crucial to understand the problem deeply to find salvation. Regarding my personal life, this research will have a positive effect. For instance, I would never do anything offensively in connection with my attitude and behavior towards people of different races.

However, now this is supported by knowing what they may have experienced. Furthermore, I would pay closer attention to all the cases of police interacting with African Americans that I witness to be sure there is no violation of their rights. Additionally, I would try to contribute to the spreading of tolerable views on all the society members by, for example, sharing my thought on the topic with my friends and acquaintances.

Concerning my professional life, the effect would be as strong. I would try to prevent injustice towards African Americans and be more helpful to them if they need it. The main thing about racism problems for me is the difference in our readiness to help people with different skin colors. To avoid the problem, I would do my best to approach all the society members without any exceptions equally. Such an attitude would help solve more problems than just racism if it was applied globally. In the end, the best way of applying information on such topics is using it in ones everyday practice and providing it with the opportunity to spread further.

To conclude, I would like to emphasize that racial intolerance and injustice, along with the violence of the police, are causing numerous problems for society. The long history of police and African Americans relationships is not a positive example yet, although many measures are being undertaken. Thus, looking back at the history of such a terrible from a human perspective phenomenon, we should learn from the previous experience and individually and collectively contribute to the maintenance of peace.

References

Brunson, R. K. (2007). Police dont like black people: African-American young mens accumulated police experiences. Criminology & Public Policy, 6(1), 71101. Web.

Cunningham, J. P., & Gillezeau, R. (2019). Dont shoot! The impact of historical African American protest on police killings of civilians. Journal of Quantitative Criminology. Web.

Laughland, O. (2020). US police have a history of violence against black people. Will it ever stop? The Guardian. Web.

Nodjimbadem, K. (2017). The long, painful history of police brutality in the U.S. Smithsonian Magazine. Web.

Seigel, M. (2017). The dilemma of racial profiling: an abolitionist police history. Contemporary Justice Review, 20(4), 474490. Web.

Surgue, T. J. (2020). 2020 is not 1968: To understand todays protests, you must look further back. National Geographic. Web.

Appendix A

Use these guidelines if the customer asks for appendices. The first paragraph of the appendix should be flush with the left margin. Additional paragraphs should be indented.

Begin each appendix on a new page with the word Appendix at the top center. Use an identifying capital letter (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.) if you have more than one appendix. If you are referring to more than one appendix in your text, use the plural appendices (APA only).

Label tables and figures in the appendix as you would in the text of your manuscript, using the letter A before the number to clarify that the table or figure belongs to the appendix.

Appendix B

Demographic Information for Cummings et al. (2002)s Review.

If an appendix consists entirely of a table or figure, the title of the table or figure should serve as the title of the appendix.

To obtain more precise results on the selected healthcare problem, the student altered the PICOT question from a foreground to a background one. Thus, the PICOT question is, In pregnant African American women (P), will an educational program (I) compared to no education (C) increase the rate of breastfeeding (O) over three months (T)? The best method for evaluating the effect of the intervention would be to utilize a t-test, which would enable the author to compare and contrast the findings pertaining to the intervention and referent groups. Therefore, it will be necessary to recruit pregnant women in the study, using such eligibility criteria as second- or third-trimester singleton pregnancy and the absence of premature birth risks. Other factors to consider will be the absence of conditions excluding or complicating breastfeeding and belonging to the African American race.

The Evaluation Method and Its Meaning

The selected evaluation method is both the most suitable and reliable one. Such tests allow identifying the statistical significance (or the lack of it) in the data analyzed. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) will be utilized to run the test and assess the results received. Scholars employ this approach is frequently both in general and specifically in studying breastfeeding intervention effects. Overall, researchers commonly use statistical tests to evaluate the effect of breastfeeding education effects. Bonuck et al. (2014) have employed a statistical test to check the impact of an intervention on breastfeeding intensity and duration.

Giglia, Cox, Zhao, and Binns (2015) have investigated the influence of an Internet intervention on the breastfeeding rate increase with the help of the chi-squared test. The study by Wu, Hu, McCoy, and Efird (2014) has involved the analysis of variance (ANOVA) F-test to analyze the effect of a breastfeeding self-efficacy intervention on womens decisions regarding the issue. Thus, one can justify the use of a t-test by positive examples from other studies since scholars report statistical tests to offer the most accurate results on the evidence-based problem.

The numbers in the test will mean the rate of change in womens attitudes toward breastfeeding after the intervention. The student expects that in the intervention group, the rate will be higher than in the referent group. The minimal significance level of the test will be 0.05. If the difference between the two groups is 0.05 or higher, the intervention will be considered as successful. Following the study by Howell, Bodnar-Deren, Balbierz, Parides, and Bickell (2014), the independent variable of the present paper will be the intervention status (positive or negative). The dependent variable will be the educational intervention.

The Significance of the Result

The result will matter because the current level of breastfeeding among the target population group is too low to be sufficient. As Jones, Power, Queenan, and Schulkin (2015) have found, minority women face more barriers to breastfeeding than the general population. The lack of proper education on the matter is one of such obstacles, so the results of an educational intervention will indicate whether and to what extent such approaches can help mitigate the problem.

Benchmarks, NDNQI Data, and KPI Metrics

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have set the benchmarks for breastfeeding. Specifically, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises breastfeeding as the exclusive approach to feeding infants for the first six months (Breastfeeding report card, 2018). Another benchmark is the combination of breastfeeding with complementary foods from the sixth to the twelfth months. The National Database for Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) views education on and assistance with breastfeeding as one of the core nursing competencies (NDNQI: A Press Ganey solution, 2016). Also, the NDNQI data indicate that breastfeeding is one of the risk factors of newborn falls and drops (The Joint Commission, 2018). Thus, these data show that some of the most esteemed healthcare institutions evaluate the significance of breastfeeding highly.

To evaluate the clinical practice change, the author will utilize several KPI metrics. First of all, the study will evaluate patient satisfaction and patient experience rates. These measures will help to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. Additionally, they will promote the understanding of patients satisfaction levels. The student will exploit the first metric chosen for evaluation only once, after the intervention. It is possible to make use of a questionnaire at this point to find out patients perceptions about their participation in the project. Those content with the results will constitute the high-satisfied group, whereas those not content with the outcomes will form the low-satisfied group.

The overall state of wellbeing, as well as physical and mental health of participants and their newborn children, will serve as an indicator of patient satisfaction. The more patients report positive effects of the intervention, the more useful the project will be. This KPI metric is rather crucial since the very essence of any healthcare-related process is the improvement of peoples health.

Secondly, the study will compare operation costs before and after the intervention. It is no secret that hospitals sometimes have to spend too much money on longer patient stay or readmissions. The lack of breastfeeding leads to the deterioration of childrens health. As a result, much financial support at the moment applies to deal with the health problems of newborns from African American families (Johnson, Kirk, Rosenblum, & Muzik, 2015). To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, the student will record operation costs related to healthcare programs involving newborns before and after the project. The author expects that after the intervention, operation costs of the hospital will become lower, and the healthcare facility will be able to save money on some urgent needs.

Finally, it will be necessary to evaluate the operational workload to assess whether it has decreased after the intervention. As well as the previous measure, operation costs, the operational workload is a crucial factor impacting the functioning of the hospital. The fewer women choose to adhere to breastfeeding practices, the worse immune systems their babies have. The more babies become ill, the more personnel is required to look after them. Frequently, hospitals experience nursing shortages, which affects the operations in the facility badly. The evaluation of operational workload before and after the intervention will allow tracing whether the project has enhanced the workload and alleviated the healthcare professionals burnout. The identified KPI measures will make it possible to assess whether the project has been successful.

References

Bonuck, K., Stuebe, A., Barnett, J., Labbok, M. H., Fletcher, J., & Bernstein, P. S. (2014). Effect of primary care intervention on breastfeeding duration and intensity. American Journal of Public Health, 104(S1), S119S127. Web.

Breastfeeding report card. (2018). Web.

Giglia, R., Cox, K., Zhao, Y., & Binns, C. W. (2015). Exclusive breastfeeding increased by an internet intervention. Breastfeeding Medicine, 10(1), 2025. Web.

Howell, E. A., Bodnar-Deren, S., Balbierz, A., Parides, M., & Bickell, N. (2014). An intervention to extend breastfeeding among black and Latina mothers after delivery. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 210(3), 239.e1239.e5. Web.

Johnson, A., Kirk, R., Rosenblum, K. L., & Muzik, M. (2015). Enhancing breastfeeding rates among African American women: A systematic review of current psychosocial interventions. Breastfeeding Medicine, 10(1), 4562. Web.

The Joint Commission. (2018). Preventing newborn falls and drops. Web.

Jones, K. M., Power, M. L., Queenan, J. T., & Schulkin, J. (2015). Racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Medicine, 10(4), 186196. Web.

NDNQI: A Press Ganey solution. (2016). 2016 NDNQI RN survey with practice environment scale. Web.

Wu, D. S., Hu, J., McCoy, T. P., & Efird, J. T. (2014). The effects of a breastfeeding self-efficacy intervention on short-term breastfeeding outcomes among primiparous mothers in Wuhan, China. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 70(8), 18671879. Web.

Introduction

This paper compares and contrasts the Chinese American culture with the African American culture. The Chinese Americans are very distinct people who have their own ways of doing things. The Chinese American culture differs from the African American culture in a number of ways. However, on close scrutiny, the two cultures are very similar. Chinese Americans are citizens of the United States that have their ancestry in china. However, the term is used to refer to all American citizens that have their origins in East Asia i.e. China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and others like Singapore, Malaysia, Mexico and Philippines (Tung 3). These sub culture consist of people who immigrated to America from as early as the 1800. The first immigrants were brought in by American companies that had enlisted Chinese laborers (Tung 4).

Although the Chinese were the earliest immigrants to America, a ban on Chinese immigrants instituted in 1885 till 1943 ensured that very few immigrants of Chinese descent got into America (Daley & Stotsky 16). When the ban was lifted, Chinese immigration into the U.S. went up. A majority of the immigrants came from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Mainland china restricted immigrations until late 1960s (Daley & Stotsky 18). The immigration of Chinese to America was interpreted by the People republic of chinas government as a betrayal. Those who went to America were assumed to have renounced socialism or communism for capitalism. However, the immigration restrictions were repealed, in tandem with international trends, leading to Mainland China becoming the major source of Chinese immigrants In the 1980s (Daley & Stotsky 20). Massive immigration from mainland china has continued leading to formation of what are called China towns in some major cities such as New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The numbers of Chinese Americans have been swelling due to both illegal and legal immigrations.

Religion

Chinese Americans have retained their traditional religions from Mainland China. Most of the Chinese Americans ascribe to the Confucian way of living and practice shades of Buddhism (Daley & Stotsky 90). The Chinese believe in the existence of a spiritual world. They have established different methods of divination, purification or general worship that help to connect with the spiritual world. The religious beliefs of the Chinese Americans are so dynamic and very interesting to delve into. In actuality, they kind of still believe in gods and their religious teachings are based on myths and legends. Buddha is widely accepted as the supreme holly figure and in line with their spiritual myths; they have many festivals to celebrate different aspects of life based on their spiritual interpretation. There are some Chinese Americans who have converted to Christianity.

Government/ Politics

Chinese Americans and Black Americans a like, have been actively involved in governance or governance related issues. Politically, both cultural groups are inclined towards socialism thus a majority of them are democrats. Traditionally, African Americans supported republicans; this was so because President Lincoln who signed the Emancipation Proclamation was a republican (Franklin & Moss 198). The support for republicans continued until democrat governments of Roosevelt, F. Kennedy and later Lyndon supported civil rights legislation and economic packages that were more favorable to African Americans (Franklin & Moss 206). Overtime, the Democratic Party has shaped itself and positioned itself in line with the interest of the working class people. It has also positioned itself as champion of freedom thus appealing to the underprivileged African American and Chinese Americans.

Chinese Americans and African Americans have for long fought to be of influence in government matters. The struggle culminated into Barrack Obama being elected the first African American president. Consequently, the Obama administration appointed Gary Locke, the first Chinese American state governor (Lau 1). Although the Chinese are actively involved in politics they are not as unified as African Americans. The disunity among Chinese Americans is caused by the varied views they hold on different political subjects (Daley & Stotsky 58). Differences can be discerned in terms of social economic status, and attitudes towards China as a country. The attitudes vary in terms of some people actively supporting Chinese nationalism, some others being hostile to such like leanings, while others are just indifferent (Daley & Stotsky 61).

Values

Democrats are known for being liberal oriented. Most African Americans are democrats but they are not as liberal oriented as the Whites. Both the Chinese Americans and African Americans are largely a traditional people. The Chinese in America have not been influenced in a big way by general liberal attitudes due to a strong cultural base set by early immigrants. The immigrants often come with and hang on the ideals practiced in their home countries (Tung 6). The Chinese have great respect for elders and offspring go a long way in attempt to honor and take care of the aged.

When it comes to family and marriage, both Chinese Americans and African Americans are strongly opposed to any liberal oriented legislation. For example, it is quoted that most black Americans opposed same sex marriages. When the state of California passed proposal to ban gay marriages, over 70% of the blacks supported the ban (Vicky & Surdin 1). The Chinese, just like Black Americans are very conservative on family related issues such as extramarital sex and abortion.

The Chinese are widely known for their honesty in personal interactions and business transactions. The Chinese generally value education and a holistic kind of education is designed and encouraged from an early age. Education, it is believed, is the only way of moving up the social or economic status ladder. They have very strong family values. Family relations are greatly respected and honor a great aspiration for all.

Black Americans value relationships more than any other consideration. According to Vicky and Surdin (1), they are more relationship oriented than say punctuality or time related concerns. They are more inclined to dealing with issue at hand than worrying about being in time for the next event. Chinese Americans like African Americans are collectivist in thinking. However, Chinese are more inclined towards modesty than black Americans. From my reading about and observing the Chinese Americans, I think, Unlike African Americans, the Chinese stress or value self respect and self reliance. While African Americans are interested in collective freedom of the group, Chinese Americans are more concerned with freedom of individuals or self-promotion (Tung 12). While African Americans are more concerned with public freedom, the Chinese Americans are more concerned with internal freedom (as an individual) and managing to beat external constraints based on personal integrity and capacity.

Language

I have personally observed that Chinese Americans, just like African Americans, only use Standard English when transacting official business. However, when in their enclaves or with fellow Chinese, they use native languages from Asia or China. The Chinese Americans speak Cantonese (Lau 1). This language according to Tung (69) is ranked third among the non-English languages widely used in America. It is most widely used in china towns especially in New York, California and Hawaii (Tung 75). Most Chinese Americans know Cantonese and use it among themselves. There are variations in Chinese language but due to majority of immigrants hailing from Taiwan and Mainland China, standard mandarin is now taking centre stage as the Chinese Americans language. Mandarin is slowly but surely replacing Cantonese as the official language of the Chinese in America; it is now widely used in many states (Lau 1). Some Chinese Americans also use what is called Wu Chinese. Wu Chinese is largely but exclusively spoken especially among immigrants from Shanghai (Lau 1).

Chinese Americans just like African Americans learn English but they also teach their children some in-group language. The Chinese teach their children Chinese, while African Americans teach a kind of Pidgin English called African American Vernacular English (AAVE) (Green 5). Teaching their children Chinese serves a number of purposes. It helps foster pride in Chinese cultural heritage. Teaching the children Chinese also helps ease interaction between the children and other relatives especially those back in China. African Americans also associate speaking AAVE with a sense of Self Identity unlike the mainstream that associates speaking such a language with illiteracy (Green 2).

Non Verbal Communication Styles

Chinese Americans have a very distinctive way of communicating. The Chinese shy away from any forms of direct confrontations (Elliot and Adams 1). This is unlike in my culture; African Americans tend towards passionate, emotion filled, expressive communication (Elliott and Adams 1). While the Chinese seem modesty and observe some level of distance while discussing, African Americans are direct and can often feel threateningly too near to other in a heated discussion. African Americans also employ more physical touch than is acceptable in Chinese culture.

Education

The Chinese are generally known for industry and discipline. They value education and take it as the sure way towards social mobility (Daley & Stotsky 89). For some time, it appeared like African Americans were naturally not book people. On deeper scrutiny, I realize it is all stereotypical and does not reflect reality. It is true that blacks to date lag behind such groups as Chinese Americans in academic achievements (Reed 8). However, the lagging behind has an explanation in the racial discrimination and segregation that was directed at the blacks with full support of government agencies. Stereotypical and racial thinking led to many black students being labeled as un-teachable by public schools.

With racial discrimination having ended, Chinese Americans as well as African Americans are catching up with Whites in academic performance. It is widely agreed that with proper policies that eliminate segregation but entrench multiculturalism, blacks are capable of scaling the heights of academic success. Those who have found opportunity to develop and use their mental powers have contributed in a big way through innovative solutions or creations. African Americans innovativeness has enriched the American culture and contributed generally to the body of knowledge (Franklin & Moss 96).

Business

According to Reed (59) majority of black Americans remain underrepresented in employment; whether in government or private organizations. African Americans remain the last likely to be employed and the first likely to be fired according to the national bureau of labor statistics (Reed 63). It is also true of Chinese Americans that they do not easily find jobs in government or non-Chinese owned private business. The most successful of Chinese Americans are those entrenched in business. Business with China is their niche and a number of them are doing extremely well.

Apart from international trading especially with china, the Chinese are refined local business dealers in America. The Chineses distinct contribution to business is the famous Chinese restaurants in most states in America (Daley & Stotsky 51). The restaurants with their characteristic outline are scenery in themselves. The Chinese are involved in every trade one can think of. They are very industrious and are respected business people because they are always honest or value honesty in business transactions. Chinese Americans have made a lot of money from the art and movie industry. Chinese art is widely known and appreciated. Chinese actors have spiced the movie world with juicy martial art films.

Health

The Chinese Americans enjoy better health than African Americans. For a long time, the African Americans life expectancy, as compared to Chinese Americans life expectancy, has been extremely low. The life expectancy levels are as a result of the Chinese leading a healthier lifestyle. The Chinese are known for their self discipline thus not overindulging in alcoholism, drug abuse and smoking. They believe in physical exercise as a critical way to perfection. They also have developed distinct medical practices such as acupuncture and massage which contribute to wellness. They practice yoga and meditation which are widely known as having great medicinal benefits.

Personal Reflection and conclusion

Before I started this research, I held to some stereotypes about Chinese Americans; some I was conscious of while others I was not. Somehow, I laterally believed that Chinese Americans are a hideous (detached and not outgoing) and unwelcoming people. I tended towards assuming they are not very social and do not easily engage others. I also tended towards thinking they are timid and not assertive.

From the research, it is clear that Chinese Americans, like any other a people, are greatly gifted. They have their unique lifestyles and cultural values. Just like African Americans, Chinese Americans tend towards more traditional values, which I find welcome. Although, I value freedom but I know freedom comes with responsibility. To the extent that the traditional values advocate for more consideration about our liberal tendencies, they are fine and dialogue is welcome. What I realized is that much difference between say the Chinese Americans and African Americans is in approach to issues. While African Americans are more direct and confrontations, the Chinese Americans are principled and honest. At the work place, I would have to take each individual as he or she comes. It is good to understand the Chinese Americans non confrontational approach to issues. It would also be important to appreciate their sense of modesty and self-centered focus in performance. That aside, they are a great a people, exciting and interesting to be around with.

Works Cited

Daley, William, and Stotsky Sandra. The Chinese Americans. New York: Chelsea House, 1995.

Elliott, Candia, and Adams R. Jerry. Communication Patterns and Assumptions of Differing Cultural Groups in the United States. Awesome Library. Web.

Franklin, John, Hope, and Moss A. Alfred. From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans 7^th Ed. New York: Knopf, 1994.

Green, J. Lisa. African American English: A Linguistic Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002.

Lau, Emily. Famous Chinese-Americans in Politics, Law and Civil Rights. 2003. Yellow Bridge, Web.

Reed, L.Wornie. African-Americans: Essential Perspectives. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group, 1993.

Tung, May, Pao-may. Chinese Americans and Their Immigrant Parents: Conflict, Identity, and Values. New York: Routledge, 2000.

Vick, Karl, and Surdin Ashley. Most of Californias Black Voters Backed Gay Marriage Ban. The Washington Post. 2008. Web.

Introduction

Racism is an inappropriate and biased treatment of individuals that stems from preconceptions, hatred, and a sense of superiority that persistently cause moral suffering and uphold racial injustice. One of the factors contributing to racism is peoples lack of comprehension of the ethnicities and cultures of others (Roman, 2019). They may have never interacted with persons of different races, which has caused them to develop an unwarranted animosity for them. A close evaluation of the experiences of African Americans through the social sciences lens reveals that racism negatively impacts communities necessitating constructive collaborative engagements for improved socio-cultural interactions.

Topic Description

Racism, racialism, and prejudice are often used interchangeably to represent the unfair treatment of individuals based on skin color. A comprehensive evaluation of racial discrimination reveals that it goes beyond access to resources, defining a persons business interactions and political and social participation. According to Roman (2019), systemic racism has remained among the most significant limitations to national development. This vice affects individuals from all ethnic backgrounds, although its impacts may differ among geographical regions due to cultural perspectives and philosophies.

Population

African-Americans are a significant portion of the American population whose lives have been severely hampered by the ingrained racist ideals in the country. The term African Americans generally denotes individuals of African descent but were raised in the U.S. This group makes up about 14% of the total population in the U.S. (Roman, 2019). The highest proportion of blacks is found in the South, which is expected to rise to 77.4 million by 2060 (Roman, 2019). Music, drama, art, and narration are key feature elements of African traditions. Africa is incredibly culturally diverse, having over 1,000 languages present there, along with numerous distinct ethnicities and faiths (Roman, 2019). African American households are remarkably diverse, with noteworthy variations across the country.

Social identity is among the critical issues defining African-Americans struggles in the U.S. The stability of the family unit among black communities significantly influences their perceptions of themselves and informs their associations and the capacity to fit within the larger American Community. Families frequently consist of immediate and distant relatives, and they have a greater appreciation for communal belonging. Activities that combine tactile training and collaborative teaming are especially successful for this culture and others who value a culture of sharing and cooperation. For far too long, the African-American population has struggled with the collapse of family units (Roman, 2019). Earning potential for African Americans is still much lower than for white people.

Impacts of Racism on African-Americans

Racism has significantly affected African-Americans social status due to negative perceptions and biases held concerning them. Stereotypes upheld by the existing structure drive the expected actions of African-Americans. Non-native families have suffered due to stereotypes about their way of life throughout the U.S. historical past (Prather et al., 2018). For instance, the notion that African-Americans are violent, violent, lazy, uninformed, and criminals have negatively impacted their socioeconomic status, academic experiences, career chances, and family stability. These preconceptions are frequently held by educators, businesspeople, and law enforcement members, which impacts how they treat African-Americans. Black men are gunned down by police more frequently than white men. Black men are disproportionately overrepresented in American jails and are often captured, arrested, and imprisoned (Roman, 2019). Compared to Native Americans, blacks have a six-fold greater chance of serving a prison sentence. All these are results of racial prejudice that has been perpetuated for years.

Irrespective of an individuals demographics, cultural practices, societal comparisons, or everyday struggles, racism is a severe problem that affects everyone. An example of how racism affects black peoples lives is redlining. This type of prejudice negatively impacts how communities interact socially and limits black students academic achievements. Redlining was once used to prevent people of color from accessing certain neighborhoods or resources (Roman, 2019). In addition to social inclusiveness limitations, racism has limited healthcare access among African Americans. According to Prather et al. (2018), historical evidence reveals that health inequality in the U.S. is based on racial bias. This discrimination has led to increased mortality rates and low lifespan among Blacks.

Analysis Lenses

Among the four lenses: history, social science, humanities, and natural and applied sciences, the impacts of racism on African Americans can best be evaluated through the social science lens. This is due to the view that racism needs to be treated as a major social problem because it limits peoples interactions within the community and hinders their social-economic development. According to Lewis et al. (2019), racism primarily manifests in interpersonal communication. Using a sociological lens, one can investigate how various facets of society contribute to the problem of racism (Lewis et al., 2019). This approach facilitates the formulation of corrective measures to enhance intercultural communication and social integration. Racism can be described as the discriminatory treatment of individuals based on their skin color, which has significantly affected African Americans lives, as revealed through the sociological lens.

Critical Analysis

Constructive Collaboration

Fostering diversity and inclusiveness among African Americans is essential for improved socioeconomic development and better health outcomes. Communities understand the value of working with other groups to elevate the need so that their issues are recognized and addressed as society grows increasingly culturally diverse. Collaboration is encouraged to increase the populations level of understanding of racism; this can be considered a collective effort to promote a culture of equality and embrace diversity (Ieva & Beasley, 2022). Getting everyone on the same page is one tactic that can be used to enhance team collaboration. This would be accomplished by talking to people and getting a sense of their knowledge and attitudes on racism, along with rephrasing and redefining unclear issues.

Since racism affects individuals emotional and mental well-being, engaging with participants by encouraging open discussions would be important. At this level, African Americans should be encouraged to talk about the negative impacts of racial bias on them as individuals and within the family unit. According to Ieva and Beasley (2022), obtaining first-hand information on the consequences of discrimination is crucial for developing mitigation measures. In this regard, the community would have a chance to participate in policy reforms by revealing some of the entrenched biases and misconceptions that need to be broken for a racially-inclusive society.

Transformation Elements

Reforms and transformation are the key goals for community engagement in fostering diversity. Positive factors encouraging change and improved intercultural relations include education and enlightenment. Education is the key to knowledge acquisition that enables individuals to understand some of the previously ignored elements and develop measures to solve the prevailing social predicaments. Ieva and Beasley (2022) assert that education, in its broadest sense, must be a part of the plan to enhance communal cohesion. Income equality and social inclusion depend on the level of education. In addition, education and enlightenment through exposure to various cultural elements significantly impact peoples worldviews, how they relate to each other in their groups, and how they see the future (Ieva & Beasley, 2022). Engaging integrated, racially accepting local counselors who work with people and authorities to encourage innovation is one strategy that can effectively educate communities on the forms, effects, and solutions to racial prejudice and inequality.

Elements Benefiting from Change

Racism is a broad and multi-faceted issue whose mitigation would significantly eliminate some of the deep-rooted lifes challenges. Economic and sociopolitical participation are some factors that would benefit from the change. Racism has severe financial repercussions because it prevents individuals from realizing their full economic potential. In a culture where racism is less prevalent, economic success can be strengthened. One potential way to end racism is to set up forums and campaigns to increase understanding and diminish racial prejudice (Roman, 2019). Various activities must be interwoven to undo the damage caused by ethnic discrimination, thereby encouraging people to appreciate and embrace diverse ethnic and cultural traditions.

Although the magnitude of racial discrimination varies among communities, it would be vital to narrow down each minority group and develop suitable measures. For instance, allowing African Americans to participate in local elections and leadership management boards would encourage their socio-political participation and foster equality. In addition, economic empowerment should be increased in rural areas and regions dominated by minorities (Roman, 2019). These steps will enhance the capacity of non-Native Americans to participate in critical national and international processes, thus fostering equality at all levels.

Healthcare access among African Americans will also benefit from change aimed at eliminating racism. Prather et al. (2018) record that Blacks have consistently suffered from limited access to health resources, affecting their overall productivity and quality of life. Therefore, aiding healthcare among African Americans would significantly contribute to a more equitable society. It is important to note that successful intercultural interactions require inclusive leadership that respects diversity and resolves difficulties and conflicts. If the focus is kept on the common goal and providing each ethnic group equal influence, constructive collaboration will be achieved.

Potential Obstacles

The journey toward equality in society is characterized by numerous obstacles that limit the efficacy of collaboration strategies. Lack of knowledge about the hidden forms of systemic and structural racism is a major problem since such elements would remain unsolved, worsening the situation. This hindrance can be solved through extensive research and community engagement to gain in-depth insight into the existence of prejudice (Lewis et al., 2019). The second critical obstacle is the lack of leadership competencies to unite communities and address bias, prejudices, and beliefs that have prevented ethnic groups from interacting freely with other cultures. Leadership plays a vital role since one needs to be wise when eliminating prevalent beliefs to avoid aggravating the challenges.

Biases, Beliefs, and Assumptions

Although education and counseling are vital enlightenment bases, it is important to note some key limitations that may hinder successful engagement in the fight against racism. Therefore, it is critical to recognize and deal with a few significant obstacles to fruitful encounters. Every civilization has set values, customs, and perspectives that influence how members regard other people (Lewis et al., 2019). Some prejudices and myths are so ingrained in peoples minds that it would be challenging to embrace new facts on racism without first dispelling the negative viewpoints for the audiences comprehension of diversity.

The two most significant hindrances to raising racial awareness in the community are affinity and confirmation biases. Unconscious biases, such as an affinity for particular views and the drive to uphold and confirm preconceived notions, are significant roadblocks to knowledge acquisition and transformation (Oberai & Anand, 2018). In this situation, the audiences preconceived notions about their races superiority and the impossibility of achieving equality with all races may make it more challenging to educate the community about racism and its expressions. The superiority complex is evident in American society, making it difficult to quickly raise awareness of the need for diversity in key areas of influence such as business and politics. Consequently, it would be essential to understand the prevalent biases among native and non-native Americans and work to eliminate them step by step before enforcing community integration strategies.

Possible Outcome

The primary expectation of the anti-racism campaign is to enable minorities to access crucial resources, receive equal treatment to natives, and live in a conducive environment that facilitates personal and communal advancement. After overcoming the aforementioned challenges, biases, and negative beliefs, society would be in a position to recognize, comprehend, and address racism. One outcome that might occur is that people start to let go of outdated notions about themselves and others, which might lead to their becoming more tolerant of others (Oberai & Anand, 2018). Tolerance arises from a sense of belonging, responsibility, and accountability. These attributes cause individuals to appreciate their roles in creating a social environment that permits people to engage fearlessly in community-building activities. As a result, diverse ethnic groups will coexist peacefully, contributing to a rich cultural heritage essential for national development.

Communities will begin to communicate openly and without regard to race. According to Oberai and Anand (2018), effective communication is among the key indicators of an inclusive society. Enlightenment will lift the veil covering individual identities and lead to more frequent talks about the value of diversity. Cognitive biases continue to be a substantial barrier to positive contact because race is a social concept firmly ingrained in the culture and passed down from generation to generation (Oberai & Anand, 2018). People may now gain from a refreshed mind that would allow them to remove their unfavorable perceptions and accept change once these obstacles have been removed. In essence, the conversation will shift from individualistic mentalities and personal interests to communal benefits, leading to gradual changes from racial prejudice to intercultural integration in all sectors.

Reflection

An in-depth understanding of human behavior and the effects of racism was made possible by considering racism as a component of diversity via the history, humanities, social science, and natural and applied science lenses. The lessons learned improve inclusiveness, facilitate professional behavior, and translate to a good worldview based on the capacity to accommodate different ideas, cultures, and religious viewpoints. The knowledge gained has a positive impact on personal experiences.

Impact on Personal Experience

Individual experiences and my personal outlook in life are developed through better comprehension of intercultural interactions obtained through this analysis. To live among varied communities, inclusion and equality are necessary. My interactions with persons of different cultural and racial origins have improved due to my research on racism in the context of social diversity. My current focus is on social equity, which means treating everyone equally regardless of skin tone (Roman, 2019). I now find it easier to grasp others perspectives without passing judgment.

Impact on Worldviews

In addition to individual experiences, my worldviews have been shaped by evaluating cultural diversity in relation to racism among African Americans. The environment and ones personal experiences shape a persons worldview. I now perceive the world as being made up of many communities whose variety necessitates intercultural involvement after assessing racism in society. Before evaluating this subject, I had preconceived notions that led me to believe that some races were superior to others. Working with various ethnic groups is beneficial for world growth because all people are equal regardless of their backgrounds and appearance.

Impact on Career

The lessons learned from this topic improve my career and future prospects of being a competent leader. A comprehensive strategy for promoting diversity, equality, and equity is necessary to be a leader in the field of social sciences (Ieva & Beasley, 2022). Understanding racism enhances my leadership skills and empowers me to uphold social justice. My line of work involves counseling individuals and assisting them in overcoming most social challenges. The information I gained from this evaluation will improve my ability to interact with various populations and provide workable solutions to the issues plaguing them.

In essence, critically analyzing racism and its effects on diversity has tremendously impacted my personal experiences, belief systems, and professional development. Understanding how racism and racial prejudice affect people makes engaging across cultures easier, enhancing ones own experiences. Additionally, fostering a more optimistic and inclusive worldview relates to social justice. Finally, because I will communicate more effectively with everyone on staff and in the community, I will be able to help them tackle the majority of the social difficulties.

Different Views from another Lens

Analyzing racism as an aspect of diversity through the lens of the natural and applied sciences would result in different views and outcomes. While the social science lens focuses on the relationships, and interactions between different ethnicities in society, the natural and applied sciences approach is based on the nature of existence and scientific explanations. Therefore, the influence of racism would be understood from the natural way of life as opposed to the influence of social interactions. As a result, racial prejudice would be linked to scientific explanations, making it difficult to apply community engagement practices to eliminate the vice.

Value Addition to Social Interactions

A critical analysis of racism in relation to diversity and inclusion is vital as it facilitates improved social interactions. Through a better understanding of the extent of racial discrimination and its impacts on minority groups, people can formulate corrective measures to foster improved social integration (Ieva & Beasley, 2022). In essence, an evaluation of systemic and structural racism, bias, beliefs, and misconceptions help people to realize the importance of cultural diversity. This enables communities to create equal opportunities for all individuals, fostering a conducive environment for individual and national development.

Conclusion

In conclusion, racism, racialism, and prejudice entail discriminatory treatment and misrepresentation caused by negative perceptions of other races. African Americans are among the most affected groups with respect to systemic racism. A collaborative engagement can be fostered among communities through education and enlightenment to highlight the causes, effects, and potential solutions to this vice. Unconscious biases should be addressed since they pose significant hindrances to social collaboration. A critical evaluation of this topic contributes to a better understanding of diversity and an appreciation for cultural integration and inclusiveness, leading to equity and equality in society.

References

Ieva, K., & Beasley, J. (2022). Dismantling racism through collaborative consultation: Promoting culturally affirming educator sel. Theory into Practice, 61(2), 236249. Web.

Lewis, A. E., Hagerman, M. A., & Forman, T. A. (2019). The sociology of race & racism: Key concepts, contributions & debates. Equity & Excellence in Education, 52(1), 29-46. Web.

Oberai, H. & Anand, I.M. (2018). Unconscious bias: Thinking without thinking. Human Resource Management International Digest 26 (6), 14-17. Web.

Prather, C., Fuller, T. R., Jeffries IV, W. L., Marshall, K. J., Howell, A. V., Belyue-Umole, A., & King, W. (2018). Racism, African American women, and their sexual and reproductive health: A review of historical and contemporary evidence and implications for health equity. Health equity, 2(1), 249-259. Web.

Roman, M. L. (2019). Opposing Jim Crow: African Americans and the soviet indictment of US racism, 1928-1937. University of Nebraska Press.

In the second half and at the end of the 20th century, African American literature revisited some topics that are classic in the African American literary tradition, and also discovered new issues related to the changed status of African Americans in US society at the end of the century. In the 1960s, the Black Aesthetics Theory and the Black Arts Movement emerged in the wake of political protests for African American rights. Figures of this movement urged that art be devoted exclusively to the problems of the African American community and limited only to them, disregarding so-called universal issues: Where the writers of another generation were persuaded to seek universal subjects and themes, the new black writers are deliberately delving into their own folk culture and tradition (Morrison 96). The African American writers of the 1960s did not fundamentally try to join the mainstream of US literature. Their main source of inspiration was the life of Negro neighborhoods. The focus of the works also changed: for the most part, they were intended for the same African Americans as their creators themselves.

The subject of the past has always attracted African American writers. In the last quarter of the 20th century, there was a reassessment of values about the past, and a new view of historical events of the era of slavery was being formed. The period of slavery became one of the most interesting in the history of African Americans for their authors. It was carefully studied, along with its consequences, which had a significant influence on the formation of the self-consciousness of African Americans (Eversley 62). Knowledge of the past is an important condition for understanding the present. It helps to determine what drives the actions of people in the modern world, as well as to comprehend the prospects for the development of the African American diaspora in the future. A large number of novels published after 1975 are dedicated to the events of the 18-19 centuries. They include Chaneysville Incident (1981) by David Bradley, Oxherding Tale (1982) and Middle Passage (1990) by Charles Johnson, and Mama Day (1988), and Dessa Rose (1986) by Shirley Ann Williams. All these works are about the fate of African Americans and their trials on the American continent.

Turning back to the past is also about reaching out to the deeper roots of African Americans. That is why, since the early 1970s, many writers have had a special interest in Africa, its inhabitants, and its traditions. Africa seems to be both a lost paradise and a historical homeland, a distant, mysterious land. On the other hand, Africa seems to be a wildland inhabited by people who are alien to modern civilization. It takes much effort to understand these people. However, African Americans are attracted to Africa, and they draw inspiration from it (Cooke 54). The African continent is home to some of the late-century novels by African-American writers such as Alice Walkers Apocalypse and Charles Johnsons On the Road to America. In addition, African American authors often refer to African rituals and beliefs, that is, to African folklore.

Moreover, African American writers of the late 20th century paid special attention to African American musical forms. According to the principles of blues and jazz, they created not only poetic works, as Langston Hughes did, but also prosaic ones. Probably one of the reasons that African-American authors sought to combine the artistic word with a musical form was their interest in the experiments of the modernists of the beginning of the century. For example, Virginia Woolf, much appreciated by Toni Morrison, wrote some of her novels guided by the principles of constructing a piece of music. African American writers have continued this tradition, with Gloria Naylors Cafe Bailey and Toni Morrisons Jazz and Beloved both based on African American traditional music genres.

Another trend in African American literature in the last quarter of the 20th century is the emergence of a large number of women writers. If earlier African American women writers were on the periphery of the literary process, then at the end of the 20th century they successfully claimed leading roles in literature. In their books, they discuss problems that had previously been secondary in African American literature: motherhood, the relationship between mothers and daughters, and womens friendship (Cooke 58). A womans knowledge of her Self is the main theme of the works of many African American writers. Women are the main characters in all of Gloria Naylors novels such as The Women of Brewster Place, Cafe Bailey, Mama Day, and Linden Hills. The African American woman, in the minds of Black writers in the United States of the late 20th century, is the basis of the black community, the guardian of its foundations and traditions (Friedel 70). She is the continuation of the family; she raises and educates children, instilling in them the ideas in which her mother raised her. It is a woman who transfers the knowledge accumulated by her ancestors to subsequent generations.

Undoubtedly, at the end of the 20th century, African American literature was on the rise. Writers were finding increasingly more new approaches to disclosing the topics that most excited the modern reader. At the same time, African American authors today constantly turn to tradition, revising and rethinking everything that their predecessors created. This helps in shaping the identity of the representatives of the African diaspora in the world. African American literature presents experiences from an African American perspective.

The identity of Africans is closely related to the concept of diaspora. The structure of Western societies that receive migrants from Africa becomes more complex, and the very concept of diaspora takes on new meanings for Africans on a regional and global scale. Diaspora acts as a developing factor in the survival strategy, which makes it possible to leave Africa and settle in a new place, but the diaspora can also restrict individuals, limiting their interaction to the same circle and making it difficult to integrate into the host society (Azevedo 19). However, the literary legacy of the civil rights era and the years that followed is conducive to broadening the horizons and understanding the unity of the African community.

Music also influences diasporic identity and a sense of unity. African music has integrated into the global music space and is successfully built into world trends  it does not ignore them, but it also does not assimilate in them. For example, afrobeat represents a new unique phenomenon in music. It emerged at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s, being a synthesis of highlife and fuji (Nigerian music evolved from Muslim morning faith songs) with funk, jazz, and rock (Allen and Veal 11). Afrobeat was not only popular far beyond the borders of Africa but also had a great influence on European and American musicians.

In the light of the study of the identity of immigrants from Africa, exploration of African literature is becoming relevant. In particular, Brenda Coopers work on a new generation of African writers can be noted. The author of the book examines in detail the work of five contemporary publicists of African descent who have lived outside Africa for a long time in the US or Europe. They are Leila Aboulela and Jamal Mahjoub from Sudan, Nigerian writers Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Biyi Bandele, and Moses Isegawa from Uganda (Cooper 40, 62-64). The fact of studying and staying for a long time in a completely different cultural and linguistic environment did not weaken their creative potential but it helped them to better understand their African identity. The English language made it possible for them to join the world literature, even with the assumption that not all of the specifics of the African mentality and culture can be fully conveyed using this language.

The dilemma of the double consciousness of African-Americans, first identified in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, remains relevant to this day. The descendants of slaves, who have been on the periphery of American society for centuries, have experienced an internal conflict due to the presence of African and American components of identity (Falola 27). Many Africans in the diaspora are confident that they should and can take the most active part in the fate of their native country. Diaspora representatives raise the issue of using the knowledge and capabilities of their representatives for the development of the social sphere in African countries. In particular, it concerns medical services and the education system. In addition, attention is drawn to the need for the diaspora to participate in political processes in their homeland to establish a lasting peace there, and to form civil society and a democratic state (Falola 29). Such beliefs are formed largely due to the knowledge of the diaspora with African-American literature of the period of Black peoples victory in the struggle for civil rights and the development of their citizenship in subsequent years.

Works Cited

Allen, Tony, and Michael E. Veal. Tony Allen: An Autobiography of the Master Drummer of Afrobeat. Duke University Press Books, 2013.

Azevedo, Mario. Africana Studies: A Survey of Africa and the African Diaspora. Carolina Academic Press, 2017.

Cooke, Michael. Afro  American Literature in the Twentieth Century. Yale University Press, 2009.

Cooper, Brenda. A New Generation of African Writers: Migration, Material Culture and Language. BOYE6, 2013.

Eversley, Shelly. The Real Negro: The Question of Authenticity in Twentieth-Century African American Literature. Routledge, 2004.

Falola, Toyin. Redefining the African Diaspora: Expressive Cultures and Politics from Slavery to Independence. Cambria Press, 2019.

Friedel, Tania. Racial Discourse and Cosmopolitanism in Twentieth-Century African American Writing. Routledge.

Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Penguin Books, 1988.

Introduction

Researchers have applied different methods to gather data and analyze their results to develop viable interpretations. The research method selected is determined by the purpose and complexity of the research problem. When the sample is considerably large, the method chosen should facilitate fast, convenient, and accurate solutions (Atmowardoyo, 2018). Surveys and case studies are the most commonly used qualitative approaches for descriptive studies. African Americas, especially women, have faced internal racial discrimination at various levels. In this study, the survey method is chosen as the best alternative as it provides an opportunity to evaluate a diverse and significantly large population sample.

Survey Method

The survey method is the best approach in this case to evaluate the extent to which African Americans have been racially discriminated against at multiple levels in society. The data, in this case, is significantly comprehensive as it involves sectors such as education, economic activities, employment, and political involvement. Nardi (2018) comments that a researcher would need to analyze multiple dimensions of data to have a good range of information to obtain valid answers means that a survey would be required. In addition to the large data sample, the information required is entirely personal. For instance, a researcher would need to determine how a respondents family life has been affected by racial discrimination. It would be logical to develop a close connection with the subject to reduce bias and encourage them to open up on more profound issues. Essentially, the survey would be conducted through physical and electronic questionnaires, the latter being limited to inaccessible subjects.

Market researchers utilize an online tool to conduct survey research, which is a robust method for gathering data. Survey solutions are available from advanced survey software suppliers for all types of survey approaches, including online surveys, paper questionnaires, phone surveys, and the more recent advent of mobile surveys. Quantitative surveys are now widely used across all survey types to collect, evaluate, and apply data to create plans for a more excellent business model, establish focused marketing tactics and improve the customer experience (Story & Tait, 2019). Survey research, when done effectively, may provide market researchers with reliable and usable data while also increasing study ROI. The surveys availability of resources, tools, and solutions makes it ideal for studying internal discrimination against African American women.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Survey

Surveys are a comparatively low-cost option since the cost per respondent for web and mobile assessments, in particular, is relatively low. To describe the features of a significant population, surveys are helpful (Nardi, 2018). No other research approach can offer such a broad range of capabilities, ensuring a more precise representation to derive results and inferences. Because surveys are anonymous, respondents are able to provide more direct and accurate responses. Respondents must be as transparent and upfront as possible in their responses in order to obtain the most accurate data. Anonymous surveys allow for more straightforward answers than other forms of research methodology, especially if it is explicitly specified that survey responses would be kept entirely confidential.

If a survey is used to obtain information, there is a chance that specific questions will go unanswered or be overlooked. Respondents may choose not to clarify a few things if they are not needed. When researchers employ a survey rather than other study methodologies, much information could get lost in translation (Siedlecki, 2020). If no one is around to thoroughly explain a study, the findings can be pretty subjective. A survey does not capture an individuals emotional response to the questions; hence it must be countered.

Solutions to Weaknesses and Type of Approach

Using online surveys can ensure that respondents do not skip some questions since they would be required to complete one query before proceeding to the next. Since the respondents would be from different backgrounds, the questions would be made so simple that an interpreter would not be needed (Story & Tait, 2019). Since researching the impact of discrimination has an emotional dimension, it may be beneficial to have online surveys to gauge a subjects emotions. This type of research lies more in the qualitative approaches category than quantitative research. This is because the information generated is descriptive and does not involve numerical values.

Case Study

Case studies are in-depth examinations of a single person, group, time period, or event. They would be an appropriate research method for the racial discrimination among African American women because they focus on a particular group. They include a variety of descriptive and exploratory for investigating principles of an event in a real-world setting. A case study is a research approach that entails a close, in-depth, and extensive examination of a research topic and its surrounding context (Ridder, 2017). A case study would aid the understanding of racial discrimination in this case and broaden experience or strengthen existing knowledge. Their contextual analysis is focused on a small sequence of circumstances or conditions and their relationships. Scholars have applied the case study for many years and in a variety of areas. It has been extensively employed in the sociology field as a descriptive research design to explore current real-life circumstances. It has served as a basis for applying concepts and procedures.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Case Study

The most significant advantage of case studies is that they allow for a comprehensive review. Unlike solitary research approaches that provide a snapshot, such as surveys, case studies will enable a researcher to apply various tools on a single topic. This gives one more time and space to develop a thorough understanding of the subject, laying a solid foundation for investigating the factor affecting the case study in more depth. In contrast to a single vision of an individual obtained from survey results or an interview, case studies gather a variety of viewpoints (Schoch, 2020). This allows for a better grasp of the subject at hand while also reducing the possibility of prejudice by dispersing the objective of a single individual.

The inability to generalize the conclusions of a case study is a typical critique. When used as part of a more extensive study, however, case studies have been found to be more effective at delving deeper into everyday issues. It can take a long time to complete a case study. Ridder (2017) asserts that it can take a long time to schedule several interviews, wait for data, and possibly coordinate focus groups. This may happen mostly if one depends on a subject that is frequently acting in a volunteer capacity and is preoccupied with day-to-day responsibilities.

Solutions, Applicability, and Type of Approach

Although case studies have been criticized for the lack of generalizability, the study sample can be carefully selected to include many aspects, making the results applicable to different sectors. Time is a significant constraint in the case of studies since they require in-depth data collection (Schoch, 2020). However, this drawback can be addressed by structuring the case study to include the most relevant points. This will ensure that quality data is collected in significantly short periods. Since the research must require respondent permission, it would be essential to create a rapport with the respondents to motivate them to participate willingly (Atmowardoyo, 2018). Case studies apply to the research on African American women, which would be conducted by selecting samples of black women from different geographical locations. A case study can be described as both qualitative and quantitative since the data collected can be descriptive and numerical.

Comparison between Survey and Case Study

Conclusion

In conclusion, although a study can be conducted using different methodologies, the researcher needs to consider their population, target sample, time, and data required to gain high-quality data. This research was based on African American women and the effect of racism. Surveys are the most appropriate approach as they allow the researcher to use questionnaires on a large sample and do not necessarily require close contact. A case study is also a viable option, in this case, allowing the researcher to sample black women from various locations and use them to collect data. Conclusively, each method used has limitations that can be handled to ensure that quality results are obtained.

References

Atmowardoyo, H. (2018). Research methods in TEFL studies: Descriptive research, case study, error analysis, and R & D. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 9(1), 197-204. Web.

Nardi, P. M. (2018). Doing survey research: A guide to quantitative methods. Routledge.

Ridder, H. G. (2017). The theory contribution of case study research designs. Business Research, 10(2), 281-305. Web.

Siedlecki, S. L. (2020). Understanding descriptive research designs and methods. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 34(1), 8-12. Web.

Schoch, K. (2020). Case study research. Research Design and Methods: An Applied Guide for the Scholarpractitioner, 245-58. SAGE

Story, D. A., & Tait, A. R. (2019). Survey research. Anesthesiology, 130(2), 192-202. Web.

African Americans are more likely to suffer from certain diseases than white Americans, according to numerous studies. It is often due to the genetic predisposition of communities. Even though the genetic basis of disorders continues to be studied today, as many patterns have not yet been identified, some dependencies have already been scientifically proven. In addition, developments are underway in search of ways to solve this problem.

Examples of aggressive periodontitis and eating disorders are discussed in the scientific literature today. The first disease requires early intervention, and it is the cause of its frequent occurrence in African Americans that has prompted scientists to seek genetic causes (Goncalves, 2018). The second disease leads to anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and requires genetic research to prevent infection in people with a predisposition (Mayhew, 2018). Many variants of mutations and other processes associated with genetics lead to a long duration of research, so scientists should start work now.

The way to solve these problems involves an integrated approach. First of all, this is a change in testing new drugs, which will include more genetic research. In addition to this, it is necessary to solve the problems of medical ignorance of citizens, the spread of a healthy lifestyle, and the elimination of inequalities in the health sector. Naturally, this requires investment in research to work with such diseases, primarily in the African American community.

Thus, measures are needed in the health sector and at the cultural and social levels. It means that it is necessary to disseminate medical institutions capable of working in the key of genetic research, which should fulfill an educational function in addition to their primary mission. People should not be silent about their illnesses and have the right to know what to do to prevent them. The results of such studies will help increase the percentage of healthy people across the country.

References

Goncalves, P. F., et al. (2018). Genetic polymorphisms and periodontal disease in populations of African descent: A review. Journal of periodontal research, 53(2), 164-173.

Mayhew, Alexandra J., et al. (2018). An evolutionary genetic perspective of eating disorders. Neuroendocrinology, 106(3), 292-306.

Overview and recommendations

Persons with health conditions that require close monitoring should adopt strict lifestyles that would promote good health. In the management of high cholesterol, nutritional plans must be carefully designed with a concise understanding of how excess fats lead to weight gain. It is also important for the patient in this case study to know the importance of exercise and the impact of many types of food on an individuals cholesterol levels and blood sugars (Bernstein & Luggen, 2011). In the case study, Ms. Ellie is elderly and has a history of diabetes. Her job allows her a minimal physical activity level of about ten hours a week. Her lifestyle is complicated with age because she is significantly inactive despite her knowledge of the role of physical activity and fitness. A strong diet plan coupled with an apt physical exercise program leads to better health outcomes for individuals with histories of diabetes, or her old age tinged with high cholesterol levels.

Making considerations on many types of food, Ms. Ellie should be concerned with whether or not she is consuming the right diet that is recommended for her age and cholesterol content. When guiding an elderly individual in dietary needs, it is important to focus on the consumption of food low in the glycemic index because they break sugars very slowly (Committee on Nutrition Services for Medicare Beneficiaries Food and Nutrition Board, 2013). Low GI food is an optimal nutritional requirement for this aged woman because other than assisting in maintaining constancy in blood sugar levels, they facilitate the management of cholesterol levels. Thus, body fats and body weight are controlled within normal limits (Bernhardt & Kasko, 2008). Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that low GI food is included in every meal consumed by Ms. Ellie for the restoration of her health and wellbeing (Strallhofer, 2010). With her vacation and the associated physical activities, such as hiking, as well as the joining of a fitness endeavor, it would be recommended that Ms. Ellie adopts the nutrition plan presented below.

A nutritional plan

References

Bernhardt, E., & Kasko, M. (2008). Nutrition for the Middle-Aged and Elderly. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Bernstein, M., & Luggen, A. (2011). Nutrition for the Older Adult. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Committee on Nutrition Services for Medicare Beneficiaries Food and Nutrition Board. (2013). The Role of Nutrition in Maintaining Health in the Nations Elderly: Evaluating Coverage of Nutrition Services for the Medicare Population. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

Strallhofer, G. (2010). Aspects of Community Nutrition for Elderly Patients. Hoboken, NJ: Blackwell.