History of African-American Families

The PBS time-line (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/timeline.html) is rich with African-American history dating from slavery.  The whole time-line, in my opinion, is extremely influential in informing viewers on this history.  The impact, if this and more Black history were added into the educational curriculum, could be influential in raising awareness of the uprising of Blacks despite the many disparities they've faced. Additionally, awareness of these events could be used to educate Black families, as well as other races, on how Black Family Life has formed into what it is today.  The following are events that stood out to me in having an impact on the dynamic of Black Family Life.

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1758:  "The African Baptist or "Bluestone" Church is founded on the William Byrd plantation near Bluestone River, in Mecklenburg, Virginia, becoming the first known black church in North America".

Comment:  This event was influential in a space being created for Black families to worship together.  The church is still a popular place for Black families to gather together and worship together today.  The first Black church was also a way to organize the community as well during this time period.  Blacks didn't really have a church of their own, so this had an impact in being able to meet as one body for Black slaves.  This creates unity and cohesiveness in the Black community, which leads to the ability to depend on one another for resources, advice, encouragement, etc. With this, it's easier to stand together.  

1787: "Free blacks in New York City found the African Free School, where future leaders Henry Highland Garnett and Alexander Crummell are educated."

Comment: This was influential in Blacks being able to gain knowledge.  Here for the Black family, upward mobility is created through the ability to attend school and be educated, which was something that was denied before this, and long after especially in the South.


1821:  "The first black black theater company in the United States, the African Company, is founded in New York."

Comment: This is another example of a positive image for Blacks and Black families.  This provides encouragement and examples for Blacks, despite the racial discrimination, slavery, and other harsh circumstances.

Nguzo Saba:  (1) Umoja (Unity) - "To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race".  We see Umoja in this example because Blacks had to have stood together in order to form this first theater company and make is successful.  (2) Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) - "to build and maintain our own stores, shops and other business and profit from them together".  Ujamaa is present here because Blacks were able to make a profit and to have something established that would benefit the race.

1827:  The first African American newspaper in the U.S., Freedom's Journal, is published in New York by John Brown Russwurm and Samuel Cornish. 

Comment: After reading this I was immediately inspired by what could have possibly taken place in the Black Family dynamic.  Having an African-American newspaper in the U.S. was the start of the movement of the Black press, and printing substance just for Black people. 

Nguzo Saba:  (1) Umoja (Unity) - "To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race".  Unity - Blacks dispersing press about themselves.  This brings people together and forms a stronger community.  (2) Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) - "to build and maintain our own stores, shops and other business and profit from them together".  A business is established here, where Blacks can profit.

1829:  "In his pamphlet "Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World," African American activist David Walker of Boston calls for a national slave rebellion."

Comment: This is an example of unity in the Black family, and for Blacks in general.  In order to have a national slave rebellion, participants of the rebellion must stick together.  This could have been pivotal in bringing the Black families closer as well as Blacks organizing events that assist in freedom and equality.  

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1867:  "Five all-black colleges are founded: Howard University, Morgan State College, Talladega College, St. Augustine's College, and Johnson C. Smith College. There will be more than 100 predominantly black colleges by the middle of the next century." 

Comment: This is remarkable in Black family life because it adds on to the first Black school created in New York, also creating a space for Blacks to be educated in different parts of the country.  For the dynamic of Black families, this creates a space for earning degrees which adds on to more positive role models.

Nguzo Saba:  (1) Umoja (Unity) - "To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race".  Unity is seen here because being able to gain an education together at colleges and universities together signifies upward mobility as one body.  (2) Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) - "to build and maintain our own stores, shops and other business and profit from them together".  Ujamaa is present here because Blacks are also to produce an economic profit from this and keep that going through continuing education. 

1921:  '"Shuffle Along," with music by Eubie Blake, lyrics by Noble Sissle, and an all-black cast, opens on Broadway. It will become one of the greatest musical comedies in American history". 

Comment: For the Black Family Life, a play by Blacks put on Broadway is extremely influential in encouraging creativity in the arts.  This adds on to employment opportunities, positive images, as well as leadership is encouraged here for Black families.

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1954:  "In Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, the Supreme Court rules unanimously against school segregation, overturning its 1896 decision in Plessy v. Ferguson".  

Comment: For Black families this adds on to the education piece that began back in the first era.  Ability to achieve the same education as Whites began here, despite the riots and protests against it.

1965:  "King organizes a protest march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, for African American voting rights. A shocked nation watches on television as police club and teargas protesters."

Comment: This is influential for Black family life because not only is Dr. Martin Luther King a positive figure in the African-American community, but here is a heightened sense of unity among Blacks.  So many people coming together to fight for equality creates a strong sense of coming together and working together.

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1984:  "The Cosby Show, starring African American comedian Bill Cosby, premieres on television. It will become one of the most popular sit-coms in history. It also departs from what had been the usual negative stereotyping of African Americans on TV by showing an upper-middle-class, professional, well-educated family." 

Comment: This is a great move for the African Ameircan Family Dynamic.  This shows Black families in a positive light, and as a whole.  With this positive outlook on Blacks it benefits the race externally as well because now with a positive entertainment outlook, other races see Blacks put in a positive light.

1992:  "Carol Mosely-Braun (D-IL) becomes the first female African American U.S. senator."  

Comment: This is another great addition to the list of achievements by Blacks that empowers African-Americans.  For the Black family dynamic, a voice is given in the senate not only for females, but for African-Americans. 

This entire time-line, from beginning to end holds setbacks and different ways Blacks have overcome them.  Many of these accomplishments add to the progress of the Black family, as well as the hardships still being faced by us today. 

________________________Part 2 | Nguzo Saba__________________________

I can see how Nguzo Saba principles were at play in fostering progress among Black Americans.  Throughout history, these seven themes repeat themselves.  Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith) each interplay in the foundation of Black Americans throughout History.  There's no way a slave rebellion, Black business, Black political leader, civil rights movement, and other Black progresses that have been established over the years, could have been made without these principals.  I don't believe that a few of these principals, without the others, could have sufficed in Blacks getting to where they are as a race now.  I am Black, and looking back on this history shows how important each element is in the building blocks of Black History as well as being essential still for Black Americans today.

_______________Part 3 | Nguzo Saba, Harvey and A Dynamic Duo________________ 

In Harvey's article on "Individual and Family Intervention Skills with African Americans", all seven principals from the Nguzo Saba are presented.  Harvey traces the root of these principals, which span back to the Kemetian ("Egyptian") culture.  Somehow, in between that civilization and present-day Blacks in America, those principals have been forgotten or disregarded.  Harvey argues that in order to effectively help Blacks, each of these seven principals must be recapitulated and adopted in African-American culture.  

Watson's article A Dynamic Duo, touches on an upper-middle class Black family that continues to give back to their community, strives to have community involvement as well a awareness and positivity about being Black.  All seven principals are presented in this example as well.  The Grahams promote Umoja in the Black community, Kujichagulia in their family, Ujima amongst themselves, Ujamaa through their success, Nia amongst their children, Kuumba and Imani in their other efforts to unite and give back to Blacks.  This example that Watson provides can be seen as a positive effort for Blacks in the upper-middle class to not just ignore other Blacks that are not within the same social status as them, but to continue to reach out to others and help Blacks of all socioeconomic statuses. 

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