Chapter 7 Working with African Americans

1
Chapter 7Working with African Americans
2
What are some typical myths about African
Americans?

• Myth 1 African Americans are more violent then
  others.
• Myth 2 African Americans are less intelligent
  then others.
• Myth 3 African Americans lazy and
  irresponsible
• Myth 4 They blame everyone else for their
  problems.
• The Growing Middle Class
• The Growing Underclass

3
What are some typical myths about African
Americans? (Continued)

• Myth 5 Many African Americans are resentful
  troublemakers.
• Reality of the Need to Be Assertive
• Reality of a History of Oppression
• Reality of a History of Inequity
• Reality of Discrimination

4
How has the African American Culture Evolved?

• Time of Slavery
• After Slavery Free but Segregated
• Current Culture

5
What are the key values/issues in the African
American community?

• Value 1 Sharing and Interrelating
• Value 2 Expressing Personal Style and
  Uniqueness
• Value 3 Being Real and Genuine
• Value 4 Being Assertive
• Value 5 Expressing Feelings
• Value 6 Bouncing Back
• Value 7 Distrusting the Establishment

6
What customs are associated with the African
American community?

• Life Area 1 Customs in Community Life
• Spiritual and Church Customs
• Sense of Time
• Life Area 2 Customs in Family Life
• Extended Families
• Child-Rearing Practices
• Life Area 3 Customs in Personal Relationships
• Relationship Style with Acquaintances
• Follow role prescriptions
• Be Polite
• Watch your words
• Support brothers and sisters

7
What customs are associated with the African
American community? (Continued)

• Life Area 3 Customs in Personal Relationships
• Relationship Style with Friends
• Acknowledge the individual
• Develop intimacy
• Be supportive
• Male-Female Relationships
• Life Area 4 the New Urban Village
  Integrating African Values
• American Dream
• The Urban Village
• Kwanzaa

8
How can the barriers to career success of African
Americans be broken?

• Barrier 1 Breaking Out of Lower Expectation of
  Success
• What You Expect Is What You Get
• Failure Cycle
• Success Cycle
• What You Can Do
• Barrier 2 Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling
• Barriers to Better Paying Occupations
• External and Internal Attitudes

9
How can the barriers to career success of African
Americans be broken? (Continued)

• Barrier 3 Breaking Through Blocks at Each
  Career Phase
• Entry-Level and Adjustment Phase
• Managing Attitudes
• Gaining Confidence
• Coping with Stereotypes
• Career Development Phase
• Dealing with Trust Issues
• Gaining Support
• Managing Conflict
• Managing Prejudice
• The Mastery Phase Mutual Support

10
How can I help African Americans contribute to an
organization?

• Planning, Creating, Problem Solving
• Building Relationships
• Connecting with the African American Marketplace