African & Haitian American, African American Muslims

FAMILIES OF AFRICAN ORIGIN^[a]

             AFRICAN & HAITIAN AMERICAN, AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSLIMS^[b]

This^[c] paper provides background information on people of African origin that will benefit our practice as counselors when dealing with issues from people of this group.  In^[d] our findings, it is has become very clear that this particular group has dealt with oppression, depression, and racism for centuries.  It is best that they would find counsel with someone who can be completely non-judgmental and unbiased when dealing with their very sensitive situations.

People^[e] of African origin include individuals from Africa, South and Central America, and the Caribbean. (McGoldrick, 2005) They did not come to America on their own.  ^[f]At least eighty percent of this group were originally brought to the America and the Caribbean from Africa by force during the slave trade era between the 16th and 19th centuries.  It has been estimated that Africa lost around 50 million people to death and slavery at this time. Between 1791 and 1804,   Francois-Dominque Toussaint-Louverture led a successful slave rebellion and founded the island nation of Haiti.  Freedom in the United States by slaves was found through the Underground Railroad.  Through many enslaved Africans, Islam was introduced in the United States. Between the 19th and 20th centuries, and even now, immigration has increased from Africa and countries housing those of African origin who need to find refuge and freedom in a safe environment for themselves and their children.^[g] (Belgrave, 2006)  The standard of living and political unrest has been the cause of migration for many in the latter years. There are occasions where family members get left behind, and children are separated from parents and sent to America for a better way of life. It is extremely important to understand the emotional turmoil this separation may have caused those involved and to allow them to talk about their experiences openly^[h].

Each^[i] community has had similar historical experiences, yet they have very different views of racism due to their historical, political and economic experiences. They have experienced slavery, racism, and poverty more than any other group of people known.  Because of the social/economic background of the African origin, these families may experience oppression that can deeply affect their emotional wellbeing.  It is important that they are able to express their feelings without the judgments of the American culture.  The traumatic history of many immigrants of African origin is beyond what many of our minds can comprehend.  Political unrest in many African countries has caused armies to come in and torture villages.  Women are raped, fathers are killed, and children are tortured and left alone.  Many of those that survive flee to America but live with the scars of what drove them here.  They have nightmares, loss of trust and safety, and struggle to find purpose^[j].

This group of people migrating from Africa, where they have lived in tribes and colonies; to America, with national governments, has caused a struggle for African Americans to maintain a cultural foundation. African Americans feel helpless and inadequate due to the drastic life change, they lose their original language between themselves and their children because their children become Americanized, and they had skills in their country of origin that are not recognized in America.  ^[k]This causes a sense of displacement. One of the biggest fears is that if Africans are illegal refugees, they may get caught and deported back to their place of origin. People of African origin are also in constant turmoil of how they will get the rest of their family to America safely. When they get their entire family together and safe, they are filled with excitement and hope, yet fear the worst, which causes depression and anxiety. (McGoldrick, 2005) Those of African origin are relieved to see their children growing up in a safer environment, but are saddened by the loss of culture in their children^[l].

Integration from Africa and Haiti into the American Culture has been especially hard for refugees. They are fleeing countries of political unrest to give their children a better life than they had, but struggle to maintain that when their studies and skills are not recognized in America as they were in their homeland.  Well educated Africans coming from professional positions to America find they have to work four jobs to survive and take care of family members that were left in their country of origin.  If they do find a good job and are able to use their skills or trade, they still struggle to be looked upon the same as their white co-worker.  Because of financial struggles and long working hours, many immigrants will send their children back to their country of origin to be with family for extended periods of time.  Those that have come to America for a better way of life fight for it.  They work several jobs while getting an education.  They are always in pursuit of a better life.  But the emotional struggles that come with this can cause deep depression and sense of loss^[m].  

Stemming from the days of slavery when Africans were under much oppressive and discriminatory conditions, sensitivity to nonverbal cues was extremely helpful to slaves who were not able to communicate verbally with their white captor because of the language barrier.  Sensitivity to nonverbal emotions has since then been passed on through generations.  Because Africans place such value on communalism and relationships, social stimuli is preferred over physical stimuli by most. In several studies, Africans are shown to use kinesics or physical movement, more than any other ethnic group. (Sanders, 2002) ^[n]Auditory and tactile channels are also very important to this group when receiving information with extreme sensitivity, such as counseling. This group will receive professional advice more willingly in a setting where there is harmony, receptive nonverbal communication, and sensitivity from the counselor. (Sanders, 2002)  Most African families are very deep into their values, which are passed down from generations and retold through stories and proverbs. This is why in many of the Older African Americans from the rural south orient themselves to a new acquaintance by asking, “Who are your people?” (McGoldrick, 2005)