Please post a response to the google slide above. What types racism from slide 2 have you seen in the world? What examples from slide 3 have you seen in the world?

The types of racism I have seen in the world are systemic racism, which is embedded in many society institutions, such as the criminal justice system, the workplace, healthcare, and education.

Another type of racism I have seen is Interpersonal racism, which is direct, person to person prejudice, which has many forms, such as overt behaviors to subtler microaggressions.

From the reading, what do you think makes the Black family unique? Please provide descriptive examples.

The historical resilience of black families throughout slavery and segregation to the current economic and social difficulties, the Black family has persevered and adjusted in the face of institutional injustice. For example, during slavery, enslaved families formed close-knit communities to help children in the event that their original parents were taken away by force.

What do you think are the strengths and challenges of the Black family? Please state why you think so and provide examples.

Black communities see education as a means of empowerment and social prowess. Because of this, Black educational institutions, such as HBCU's, have long been important for delivering high quality instructions as well as creating leadership for communities.

Black communities have a long history of single parent households, formed by systemic problems, economic inequality, and enslavement. Lower income and greater poverty rates are common issues for single-parent homes, especially those run by mothers. Due to salary inequalities and prejudice at work, Black women that are more likely to be primary caregivers find it harder to support their children. Also, aloung with housework, working long hours, and raising children, single parents often must balance several of other responsibilities. Due to the societal and financial demands, single parents often face stress, which can negatively affect their emotional health.

How do concepts such as racial socialization affect parents and children in Black families? Please explain.

Racial socialization affects black families by its effect on childrens' development of a strong sense of racial identity and a good self image. Making sure kids have the confidence and understanding needed to deal with the racial bias they will encounter. Parents may expose children to Black literature, cultural customs, and history that honor Black greatness.

Based on our reading, what factors do you think have impacted Black families the most since slavery and why?

Black families lives continue to be affected by economic prejudice. As many former slaves participated in sharecropping black families were forced to rely on landowners for housing, food, and supplies, this often left them trapped in cycles of poverty and debt.

“Man-in-the-House” Rule, which denied welfare to families if able bodied men were living in the household. This contributed to an increase in single parent households and weakened economic stability in Black communities​.

Black families have had constant struggles with limited access to good jobs and education. Even after segregation officially ended, Black children were still attending underfunded schools with bigger class sizes and less resources. Today a large number of Black children continue to attend schools with outdated texts, few higher-level courses, and poor preparation for college.

Search and find one academic resource that helps you understand this topic better and post it to your Padlet. State three main points from the resource and how it helps you understand this topic.

https://academic.oup.com/qje/article/139/4/2279/7718111

Laws that enforced racial segregation and limited economic opportunities for Black individuals, which led to enduring disparities in wealth and income.

Economic disadvantages that were brought on by Jim Crow policies have been passed down through generations, affecting current economic outcomes for Black families.

Regions with a history of Jim Crow enforcement often exhibit more significant economic disparities between Black and white populations today.

State one thing that you learned or one thing that stood out to you from the unit required reading, optional reading or audio material in this unit. State its significance.

One thing that stood out to me from the unit readings is the long term impact of the "man-in-the-house" rule on Black families, and how this policy denied welfare benefits to families if an able-bodied man was present in the household and how it contributed to the rise of single parent households in Black communities.

This is significant because it shows how government programs that even when designed to provide aid, they can have unintended devastating negative consequences that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

What is the Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter Syndrome is where individuals doubt their accomplishments and have a constant fear of being exposed as a "fraud," despite having evidence of their success.

How does the Imposter Syndrom affect a student in their educational journey AND into their career experiences?

Some students may feel like they have to prove that they belong, so they overcompensate by working excessively which causes Burnout and mental fatigue. Along with continuous self doubt which worsens academic anxiety by adding unnecessary stress to tests, presentations, and networking meetings.

After students land a job they could blame their success on luck rather than their abilities, which may make them reluctant to request increases or promotions. In an attempt to "prove" their value, they sometimes take on too much work, which can cause stress and fatigue

How does the Imposter Syndrome specifically affect the self-esteem and mental health of African American women in the workplace?

The pressure to maintain the "Strong Black Woman" image and the internalization of impostor syndrome can result in increased stress, anxiety, and depression. These problems might worsen if people are expected to handle these issues on their own and refrain from getting the required mental health help.

How do race and gender play into the African American woman's experience in the workplace?

Because of the connection of race and gender, African American women often encounter both racial and gender prejudices in the workplace. Because of this people may be disadvantaged in their industries and feel pressured to fit in with existing societal norms, this can lead to feelings of loneliness and heightened critisism.

State one strategy that you believe would be successful in addressing this issue and improving the workplace for women of color.

Sponsors or sponsorships that can help to ensure that women of color are considered for leadership roles and important projects.

State one thing that you learned or one thing that stood out to you from the unit required reading, optional reading or audio material in this unit. 

One thing that stood out to me from the readings is how the connection of race and gender impacts African American women in the workplace.

This is important because it showcases the needs for intentional efforts to address both racial and gender biases in professional settings.

What would you say are the psychological consequences of experiencing subconscious racial slights as a person of color?

The psychological consequences of experiencing subconscious racial slights are increased Stress and Anxiety, imposter syndrome and self doubt, and anger.

What stereotypes are perpetuated when racial microaggressions are thrown around towards a person of color?

These prejudices are intelligence stereotypes, which hold that individuals of color are not supposed to be intellectual, articulate, or well educated. People of color, especially those with non-European names or looks, are stereotyped as foreigners and are not genuinely American. The Erasure Stereotype rejects prejudice and discrimination, as your racial identity is irrelevant.

Considering Intersectionality, what other issues does this theme affect in the African American community?

Intersectionality affects African American low-income areas that frequently have underfunded schools, which restricts access to high-quality education. In the workplace, African Americans encounter microaggressions, being passed up for advancements/achievements, or being thought to be incompetent.

African Americans are also more likely to suffer from racial trauma, but because of stigma, distrust, and financial constraints, mental health therapies are frequently less available.

State how these theories of intersectionality, racial microaggressions, bias or white privilege affect one's understanding of "sense of self" or ethnic identity?

A person's ethnic identity and sense of self are greatly influenced by theories of intersectionality, racial microaggressions, racism, and white privilege, especially for persons of color. Because of this, internalized self-doubt can result from ongoing exposure to systemic racism and microaggressions.

Search online for a resource that helps you understand this topic more and post it to your Padlet. State why the resource shines some light on a perspective of this issue. 

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1198375/full?utm_source

This study looks at how people of color can be protected from the psychological consequences of racial microaggressions by their ethnic identification. Highlighting the importance of resilience and a strong ethnic identity in reducing suffering and providing guidance on how people might avoid and reverse the negative effects of systemic prejudices on their mental health and sense of self.

STRENGTHS: What are the strengths of Black neighborhoods and communities and how have they manifested over time?

Black communities and neighborhoods have historically been centers of activism, culture, creativity, and resilience, creating resilience that has helped them weather social and economic hardships and structural injustice. Some of their strengths include entrepreneurship demonstrated by Tulsa's Black Wall Street and Atlanta's strong Black business community today. Black-owned companies continue to promote economic empowerment.

Leaders such as Malcolm X, MLK Jr., and the Black Panther Party organized in Black neighborhoods, which were crucial to the Civil Rights Movement. Today, community activism continues to give rise to movements like Black Lives Matter, which call for structural change and justice.

Some of the most major cultural movements, such as spoken word, dance, hip-hop, jazz, blues, and hip-hop, were developed by Black communities. Global pop culture has been influenced by Black spaces' fashion, language, and style.

WEAKNESSES: What are the weaknesses of Black neighborhoods and communities and state one solution to an issue you have raised?

The Black community is divided by colorism and texturism, which promotes European characteristics.

Crab in a barrel mindset, where individuals in the black community feel compelled to compete rather than support one another.

Also, there is a lack of unity among the black community, which sometimes weakens collective advocacy efforts.

A solution to this problem would be to promote self-love and cultural pride by encouraging mentoring programs, media representation, and Afrocentric education, which would reinforce the value of Blackness. Another solution would be to address deep-rooted traumas through community healing spaces and accessible mental health resources to strengthen trust and solidarity. And by encouraging all aspects of the black identity, the black communities can come together to work towards greater unity and resilience.

OPPORTUNITIES: What are three ways in which Black neighborhoods and communities could play a role in the progressive movement of the Black community?

Promoting Black-owned businesses and the collective economy, communities can become self-sustaining, and wealth can be created for future generations.

Having more people be involved in politics and voting ensures that community voices are heard when it comes to issues that impact Black lives, such as healthcare access, school financing, and criminal justice reform.

Focusing on mentorship and educational programs that support Black kids in leadership, entrepreneurship, and STEM will help to dismantle systematic barriers and produce future activists.

THREATS: What are three ways in which Black neighborhoods and communities could have a detrimental effect on the progressive movement of the Black community?

Internalized racism and division, such as colorism, classism, and conflict, may threaten unity and hinder collective growth. When communities are divided by skin color, economic class, or cultural background, it becomes more difficult to organize around shared interests.

Economic challenges, such as gentrification, job discrimination, and schools that are underfunded, can trap communities in poverty cycles, making long-term change difficult to achieve. As individuals that are without access to resources may be pushed to prioritize survival above progress.

Over policing negatively impacts Black youth, limiting their educational and economic chances because mass incarceration and criminality hurt family structures and future leadership.

Find one resource that helps you understand these themes and post it to your Padlet. State the resources' significance to this unit's material. 

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/systemic-inequality-displacement-exclusion-segregation/?utm_source

This article explains how government-sponsored displacement, exclusion, and segregation have intensified racial inequality in the United States. How public policies have systematically removed people of color from their homes, and how federal, state, and local policies have fortified housing discrimination.

State one thing that you learned or one thing that stood out to you from the unit required reading, optional reading or audio material in this unit. 

One thing I learned from this unit is about the effects of gentrification, urban renewal, and redlining. How it affects Black neighborhoods that were purposefully left out of opportunities to build wealth, and how many still face displacement as a result of rising property values and a lack of ownership.

State the most important thing that you learned from this unit's readings and how it has deepened your understanding of Black male and female interpersonal and close relationships.

The challenges that educated Black women face in the marriage market that these women face are contributed to factors such as limited availability of equally educated Black men and societal pressures. The article shows that educated black women are twice as likely to have never been married by the age of 45 compared to their white counterparts.

How do long-standing stereotypes in the media of African American females being portrayed as property (i.e. in rap videos etc.) affect the psyche of those seeing these images and the African American woman's dating prospects?

Rap videos depicting African American women as hypersexualized or property can have negative effects for the participants as well as the viewers. Such images might make African American women create internalized self-image and influence how they are seen in society, so affecting their dating opportunities by supporting negative preconceptions and so lowering them to just objects instead of people.

What factors are contributing to the rising number of single Black unmarried females?

African American women are completing higher levels of education at an increasing rate, leading to a smaller pool of similarly educated Black men, which can impact marital patterns.

Black men are more likely to marry outside their race compared to Black women, further affecting the dynamics of marriage within the Black community. (The article Noted)

Societal pressure for women to prioritize career advancement can lead to delayed marriage.

Why is there a stigma in the African American community against the LGBTQ community?

Stigma against the LGBTQ community from the African American community stems from historical experiences, religious beliefs, and cultural norms.

Many African American communities have strong ties to Christianity, particularly the Black church, which has historically upheld traditional views on sexuality and gender.

Historically, African Americans (particularly Black men) have faced centuries of racial oppression and as a result, have often been pressured to perform a hypermasculine identity as a response to stereotypes of weakness or inferiority.

Find one resource that helps you understand these themes and post it to your padlet. State the resources' significance to this unit's material. 

https://lailluminator.com/2024/03/24/black-lgbtq/

This resource sheds light on intersectionality, gender identity, and sexual orientation, emphasizing the importance of creating spaces that encourage mental health and well-being within the African American community.

What does it mean to code switch and how does this affect an African American's success in life?

Code-switching is when you adjust your speech, behavior, or appearance to align with the expectations of different cultural or social settings. This affects African American life by impacting mental health, creating stress, and feeling the constant need to modify Black Identity to Fit in with society's standards.

How does expecting code switching threaten diversity?

Code-switching threatens diversity by diminishing language and cultural differences while pressuring individuals to conform to the "dominant" cultural norms and suppress their identity. This then obstructs inclusive environments that can celebrate diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

How do the effects of code switching intersect with a persons' mental health?

The Effects of code-switching on mental health can intertwine in different ways, such as emotional exhaustion because of constantly monitoring your behavior to fit into different cultural norms. As well as individuals feeling disconnected to their true selves, feeling the fear of being judged based on individuals' natural speech patterns.

Search online for a resource that helps you understand this topic more and post it to your Padlet. State why the resource shines some light on a perspective of this issue. 

https://hbr.org/2019/11/the-costs-of-codeswitching

This article highlights how code-switching isn't just a harmless or strategic communication tool and how it can come with emotional, mental, and professional costs, especially for African Americans and other minorities. How people often feel pressure to change the way they speak or behave to fit into dominantly white environments, and how constant adaptation can affect their authenticity, mental health, and sense of belonging.

State a strategy that you feel can be successful to address the misconceptions about code switching that exist inside and outside of the African American community.

The misconceptions about code-switching would require open dialogue and having learning experiences to fully understand that AAVE is a legitimate language with rich dialect, rules, and cultural diversity. Promoting awareness about the history and social context of code-switching would help dismiss myths and encourage environments where individuals can express themselves authentically.

State one thing that you learned or one thing that stood out to you from the unit required reading, optional reading or audio material in this unit. 

The idea of the internal conflicts experienced by African Americans who navigate their identity between their own cultural heritage and the dominant white society. Understanding this concept offers a deeper look into the involvement of code-switching and the bigger social dynamics that affect African American communities.

What is the significance of the Yoruba Orisha faith also known as Santeria?

The pantheon of gods that makes up the Orisha faith each reflect various aspects of nature and human activity. These gods act as middlemen between people and the highest power directing followers toward earthly success and harmony. Santería combined Yoruba religious customs with Roman Catholicism to let Africans held in slavery in the Americas retain their spiritual traditions under the cover of Catholic saint adoration.

How does this faith provide a connection back to Africa for those African Americans choosing to join the faith?

Many African Americans, embracing the Yoruba Orisha faith offers a profound link to African cultural and spiritual roots. The tradition's close ties to African heritage provided a sense of spiritual fulfillment and cultural belonging. This reconnection serves as a means to reclaim and celebrate ancestral identities that were historically suppressed.

How does the Yoruba faith treat health and healing in their religion?

Health and healing are important to the Yoruba faith, with specific orishas associated with these aspects. the orisha of the Earth Babalú-Ayé is closely linked to healing and the promotion of cures for illnesses. the orisha of herbs, plants, magic, etc. Osanyin embodies the knowledge of medicinal plants and their applications.

Please locate a resource that helps you understand this theme. Analyze the resource and state the most important thing you learned from it about this topic.

https://www.vox.com/2020/7/31/21346686/orisha-yoruba-african-spirituality-covid?utm_source

The article explores the resurgence of African spiritual practices among Black Americans, emphasizing the role of orishas as sources of guidance and comfort. It higlights how individuals connect with specific orishas, such as Oshun, the goddess of love and fertility, and Babalú-Ayé, associated with healing.

State one thing that you learned or one thing that stood out to you from the unit required reading, optional reading or audio material in this unit. 

One interesting thing I learned was the adaptability and resilience of the Yoruba faith and how it finds new expressions and groups of people in diverse cultures. Also, the story of Wesley Hurt shows how ancient spiritual traditions can offer an important meaning and identity to individuals navigating modern life.

After reading this Washington Post article, can you explain why there are disparities between the amount of pain medication an African American woman would receive compared to other women in the same hospital complaining of pain?

The article highlights the racial bias that the medical field contributes to this disparity. The article shows that Black patients are more likely to have their pain discounted or ignored compared to white patients. A 2016 University of Virginia study revealed that some white medical students and residents had false beliefs about biological differences, such as the idea that Black people feel less pain than white people. Even a globally known athlete, Serena Williams was dismissed by hospital staff when reporting symptoms of a pulmonary embolism.

What factors are contributing to the disproportionate number of African American infants who die in childbirth and African American mothers who die in childbirth?

Some of the factors that contribute to the disproportionate number of African American infants who are toxic stress and weathering on African American women, Toxic stress refers to the chronic stress experienced due to various forms of racial discrimination and social inequities. This ongoing stress response physically affects the body, leading to elevated risks during pregnancy and often resulting in complications such as hypertension and preeclampsia. Weathering describes how this chronic stress prematurely ages individuals physically, leaving them more liable to health complications by the time they reach pregnancy and childbirth. Finally, Black women receive subpar care compared to their white counterparts. This systemic discrimination displays itself in the form of inadequate treatment responses, misdiagnoses, and underestimations of pain, leading to dangerous complications during labor and delivery.

What are some solutions that can be implemented to improve the experiences of African American mothers giving birth and African American infant survival rates?

To improve outcomes for African American mothers and infants, many solutions require the extensive addressing of systemic inequalities and the deep-rooted biases within the healthcare system.

Enhancing access to healthcare: Many African American women live in regions with limited healthcare services. Expanding services like Medicaid would provide more women with essential prenatal and postnatal care, significantly reducing risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth.

Addressing reproductive health's educational flaws: Creating extensive sex education that covers not just abstinence but also contraception and prenatal care options that can empower women to make well-informed choices about their reproductive health and well-being.

Medical professionals confront unconscious biases along with promoting awareness about “toxic stress” and its effects on health

Find one resource that helps you understand this theme and post it to your Padlet. State the resources' significance to this unit's material. 

https://www.propublica.org/article/nothing-protects-black-women-from-dying-in-pregnancy-and-childbirth

This article expands on what was discussed in the Washington Post piece as it goes into real-life stories and data showing that Black women face systemic neglect in maternal care, regardless of socioeconomic status. It highlights that the problem is structural, and not individual, it adds depth to our understanding of racial disparities in health outcomes.

State one thing that you learned or one thing that stood out to you from the unit required reading, optional reading or audio material in this unit. 

One thing I learned was how education and wealth don’t protect Black women from racism in healthcare. After learning that even Beyoncé and Serena Williams had traumatic birth experiences it shows how deeply rooted these disparities are. That it’s not just about access; it’s about how the system sees and treats Black women.

What are the outcomes of institutionally racist policy choices that exclude the needs of low-income minorities in the health care system?

Racist policies have led to significant disparities in healthcare for low-income minorities, particularly African Americans. Such as higher maternal and infant mortality rates as Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than white women, and Black infants face mortality rates more than twice that of white infants. Underfunded healthcare facilities because hospitals that serve predominantly Black and Latino communities often face financial constraints, leading to inadequate staffing and resources. Finally, policies like the Affordable Care Act show disparities in health outcomes persist due to systemic issues rooted in historical segregation and discrimination.

How does the intersectionality of the unconscious bias, distrust in the healthcare system, lack of health insurance and lack of health education affect the African American community? 

Unconscious biases, distrust in the healthcare system, lack of health insurance, and inadequate health education adversely affect the African American community. As Healthcare providers may harbor unspoken biases, which leads to misdiagnoses or undertreatment of Black patients. Historically the mistreatment and ongoing discrimination contributes to a deep rooted mistrust in the healthcare system among African Americans, resulting in delayed care or avoidance of medical services. Along with African Americans being disproportionately uninsured, limiting access to preventive care and necessary treatments.

State THREE strategies that you feel can address the issues raised in questions one and two.

Training healthcare providers in cultural humility can improve patient and provider relationships and reduce biases.

Policies to increase insurance coverage amongst low income and minority populations can enhance access to care.

Developing targeted health education

leadership can empower African American communities with knowledge to make informed health choices.

Search online for a resource that helps you understand this topic more and post it to your Padlet. State why the resource shines some light on a perspective of this issue. 

https://racismharmshealth.berkeley.edu/health-care/how-institutional-racism-shapes-inequality-within-the-health-care-system-and-affects-health/

This article highlights an analysis of how systemic racism is embedded in the healthcare system, which leads to unequal access and outcomes. It showcases historical evidence and current connections, showing the understanding of the various nature of healthcare disparities.

State one thing that you learned or one thing that stood out to you from the unit required reading, optional reading or audio material in this unit.

What I have learned is the impact of historical policies, such as redlining, on present-day health disparities. And how these policies have led to segregated neighborhoods with limited healthcare resources, contributing to ongoing inequities in health outcomes.

What is the role of the Black Church and the mental health of the African American community?

How is culturally competent care vital to the success of the mental health relationship between the provider of clinical mental health services and the African American community?

State THREE strategies that you feel can address the issues raised in questions one and two.

Search online for a resource that helps you understand this topic more and post it to your Padlet. State why the resource shines some light on a perspective of this issue. 

State one thing that you learned or one thing that stood out to you from the unit required reading, optional reading or audio material in this unit.