My Next Door Neighbor Doesn’t Know Me
Why is it easier for people who live outside of the United States to care about the culture and well-being of African Americans more so than those who live here? The glaring red alarm of an answer is American sociology. A short definition of sociology is the study of social problems. 2020 has provided an abundance of examples of social problems yet one that’s on the back burner is cultural misappropriation.
Watch this short video of K-pop (Korean Pop) trainees learning about the importance of hair to the Black community. [Before being marked private, the video showed extreme care and research done by a Korean girl group centering on cultural sensitivity and Black hair. They educated and challenged themselves to understand what not to do proactively. In the end, they chose not to wear Black hairstyles as is trendy.]
Learning requires an open mind. Those women had an interest in acquiring knowledge to avoid cultural misappropriation and were curious about the solutions. If a person doesn’t care or has no vested interest in a topic, the likelihood of them learning the topic and producing a behavioral change is extremely low. It’s not until the information becomes relevant to a need that learning becomes effective.
So, what does America need today? Countless solutions with one of them being empathy-led unity. We naturally want to come together as a nation yet so much gets in the way. If that’s a true goal of ours then we must seek out ways in which to make it come to pass. The first step happens in our minds - get curious! Ask questions, read, learn, collaborate, and grow in unity. In the age of misinformation, be certain about the sources used and pay close attention to the overall ‘voice’ of the information.
We can’t expect to care about one another when little interaction between us takes place and we’ve determined that we don’t need one another (whelp, there goes learning!)
Saying Black Americans have experienced social problems is an enormous understatement. Our entire experience in this country has been one giant social problem. Interested in learning more about the Black community’s sociology? We recommend two phenomenal powerhouses on the topic to better understand the societal thorns in the side of the Black mind, body, and spirit.
Dr. Frantz Fanon was a renaissance man who contributed greatly to post-colonial theory speaking on the negative consequences of colonization across the world. Philosopher, psychiatrist, physician, writer, and revolutionary, Dr. Frantz analyzes the deep psychological effects of colonization in his work Black Skin, White Masks (1952).
Dr. Joy DeGruy brings context to subtle behaviors in our modern society by seeking their origins and its relation to multi-generational trauma. A brilliant researcher, educator, social worker, author, and professor, Dr. Joy’s explanatory theory of post-traumatic slave syndrome offers knowledge to help the community heal and grow from our past. Her book Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing (2005) sheds light on several unique issues of Black America.
Knowledge doesn’t lead to hopelessness. Confronting the past empowers us to confront the present with strategy. The Jamaa seeks out real change and growth and doesn’t exist to lament in the hand dealt to our community but band together and use our collective gifts for positive change. Our attitudes and behaviors can transform if we exercise the desire to learn. We’ve got this!
“We’ve come this far with no help. Imagine what we can do once we start to heal.
— Dr. Joy DeGruy
How has American sociology shaped your life and experiences?
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