Introduction
The selected group for this analysis is the African American community. Members of this population are of the African descent and arrived in the Americas as immigrants or slaves. Having become part of the American culture, they live among other racial groups. A proper assessment of their social and cultural can help professional advocate for their medical and health needs more effectively. This report gives a detailed analysis of individuals associating themselves with this identity.
Ethnic and Cultural Identity
African Americans believe that they form an integral part of the country’s wider country. However, they pursue their unique cultural practices that are different from those of the dominant racial group. They consider the best strategies to promote stronger family ties, remain religious, and help one another (Schulz et al. 39). In terms of interaction, some members of the community have established friendships with people from other cultures, such as Latinos and whites. However, they do so cautiously while remaining keen to identify possible cases of discrimination.
Being integrated in the American society, African Americans have found it easier to access recreational and educational centers used by other members of the population. They participate in similar social and religious activities in different parts of the country. However, some members consider locations and neighborhoods that are dominated by more African Americans to attend church, the gym, and other centers (Schulz et al. 40). The nature of inclusion has developed within the past few decades.
History and Value Orientation
African Americans identify themselves as children from Africa. They believe that their history is defined by numerous challenges and upheavals that could have affected their future survival. The fact that they are alive and present as American citizens is a reason to celebrate. They also rely on this form of understanding to promote unique values, including love, empathy, justice, and unity (Schulz et al. 41). These ideologies are linked directly to their long struggle towards freedom. They maintain strong family units in an effort to remain united and capable of addressing emerging obstacles.
From a historical perspective, the challenges African Americans have encountered in the past compel them to unite against any form of oppression. They support each other and come together whenever they feel threatened. They remain religious since God has helped them to come this far (Johnson and Carter 63). Past cases of segregation and abuse have compelled them to promote such values and consider the best strategies to succeed in the coming years.
Health Beliefs and Practices
Just like any other community, African Americans promote various traditional beliefs that help them record positive health experiences. For instance, they engage in prayers as a traditional practice passed across from generation A to B. They believe that God can provide comfort and healing (Schulz et al. 39). To record better experiences, most of the African Americans rely on the use of complementary medicine. For instance, they consider certain herbs are capable of healing.
Although not all African Americans rely on such practices and beliefs, it is notable that majority of the people embrace them. They combine them with modern drugs to ensure that positive health experiences are eventually recorded. They visit their places of worship to mourn the deceased or repent in order to receive God’s healing powers. Within the past few decades, the people have been associated with the use of folk healing practices. Some of them include massage and therapy (Rose et al. 401). Herbs are taken depending on the existing health problem. The fact that more people embrace most of the promoted folk practices is an indication that they mean a lot to members of this population.
Religious Belief and Spirituality
Most of the African Americans living in the United States are spiritual people. This way of life has become a common trend within the past two centuries. Originally, most of the immigrants or slaves were unable to continue promoting their traditional ways of worship (Rose et al. 402). While in America, they began to embrace modern religious practices associated with Islam and Christianity (Rose et al. 402). Over the years, they have identified religion as a powerful force capable of taking them closer to their spiritual goals. Majority of them embrace either the Islamic or Christian worldview to shape their religious goals. They believe in the power of God and worship him for protection, empowerment, and spiritual guidance.
These individuals are spiritual in such a way that they ought to remain religious. They acknowledge that their lives are connected to the past experiences of their ancestors. They also believe that their actions will dictate their future spiritual foundations. It is also focus on the best form of human nature. Through the power of religion, African Americans are able to connect their inner feelings with those of others (Johnson and Carter 65). They also focus on the afterlife, an idea that makes it easier for them to embrace their religious views.
Lifecycle Events
Lifecycle events mean a lot to African Americans. According to them, birth is an important point in a person’s life since it marks the beginning of a unique and long experience or life. Members will also celebrate achievements in life, such as coming of age, death, and marriage (Rose et al. 402). Some of the common customs include wedding ceremonies in Church for those who decide to marry. Coming of age could also be associated with circumcision. Graduation ceremonies and baptism are also identified as important lifecycle event customs associated with African Americans (Schulz et al. 43). Burial ceremonies associated with are emotional in nature by help people appreciate resurrection and the afterlife.
Seeking Treatment: Diabetes
From a cultural perspective, a healthcare professional would provide the best message to encourage an African American with diabetes to seek medical treatment. The patient would begin by liaising with family members and engage in religious practices. The individual can fast to achieve positive health outcomes. The right message is to inform the patient that diabetes is a problematic health issue capable of causing premature death. The best message for such a patient is to establish a positive relationship with health professional. The care physician will identify the best baseline for diabetes, take the necessary A1C tests, and provide proper guidelines. The involved participants can go further to form a multidisciplinary team of health providers, family members, and several herbalists (Rose et al. 403). The patient will learn more about the risks of diabetes and why African Americans are at risk of developing the condition. The move to seek medical treatment will overturn the medical situation and increase chances of leading a healthier and longer life.
Conclusion
African Americans form a unique population in the wider American community. They exhibit unique cultural and religious attributes or practices that define who they are. They engage in a wide range of ceremonies to mark key lifecycle events in their lives. They maintain strong family ties and pursue key values founded on their long history in the country. A detailed analysis of these aspects is capable of guiding medical professionals to provide the most appropriate care and health promotion programs to members of this racial group.
Works Cited
Johnson, Veronica E., and Robert T. Carter. “Black Cultural Strengths and Psychosocial Well-Being: An Empirical Analysis with Black American Adults.” Journal of Black Psychology, vol. 46, no. 1, 2020, pp. 55-89.
Rose, Theda, et al. “Nonorganizational Religious Involvement and Psychosocial Well-Being Among African American and Caribbean Black Youth.” Journal of Black Psychology, vol. 46, no. 5, 2020, pp. 388-422.
Schulz, Emily, et al. “Predictors of African American Belief in Illness as Punishment for Sin.” Spiritual Psychology and Counseling, vol. 6, no. 3, 2021, pp. 31-47.