LOSS OF CENTEREDESS AFRICAN CULTURE

Loss of Centeredness: African Culture

Abstract

Over the period of time different types of labels have been used to define the group of African Americans. Their transition has taken place in quite an interesting manner. Initially they were known to be Negro on the basis of their cultural and ethnic background then they were transformed to Colored to Black, then Afro American and finally to African American. These conversions and transformations have taken place in the context of social, political and economic events that have played an important role in their thinking process of self and sense of collective consciousness. Psychological literature and research has also emphasized upon self and identity approached and models. Culture has been defined in variety of ways in psychology and has been used interchangeable with terms like race and ethnicity. Race has been defined as the characteristics of certain group of people with regards to their biological and phenotypic make up (Jones, 1997). On the other hand ethnicity has been defined as the values and beliefs of a certain group of people. The beliefs and behavioral attitude of the people is highly dependent upon their historical experience and view point with regards to the world (Chang & Dodd, 2001).

Discussion

African Culture before Westernization

The two most important and stable African centered views about the world are the spirituality and extended self concept. It has been suggested by Ani that African give a lot of importance to the spirituality aspect of human existence and it is on their spiritual belief in the human life that they are able to surpass and face different types of tragic situation especially during the era when they were treated as slave in an American institution and society. Nobles supports their belief in spirituality and suggests that spirits is a form of energy or power that provides human with the force and ability to sustain hard times and this energy is the inner essence and external envelope or covering for human beings. In short being for Africans being human means to be a spirit. the second most important thing is the self concept which the second most important theme of being African centered approach which means the experience of individuals with regards to their cultural selves. Azibo further explains that the self concept of Africans is attached to their family, community, forefathers, the future generation and certain spiritual entities that are divine. Ajam is of the view point that this points towards the interdependence and connection and emphasizes upon the importance of an analyzing unit which is not an individual but basic human operations and functions that are important for the survival of humans. There is an important saying by a Western African that “I am because we are and because we are therefore I am” (Cartman, 2011). This shows the importance and value of family and community how they are dependent upon one another and share their failure and success in life.

Westernization and loss of Centeredness

Western culture had a ...