The psychology of the Black American Pt. I

African-American spirituality is rooted in primitive lifestyle. Being the primary civilization allowed them to explore various structures that would work towards improving the overall quality of their life during their era. Their God-Consciousness was also based on the quality of resources available and how efficient they were in regards to accommodating their need for survival. The three (3) factors that distinguish the psychology of Africans and African descendants from their Caucasian counterparts are origin, culture, and political/economic status.

From a political point of view the transatlantic slave trade degraded and separated Africans. They were forced to abandon their native culture, tongue, and religion. Slave masters used various techniques to force African into assimilation. The parables in the bible that are based in Christianity were used as one of the most violated exercises to break Africans from their ethnical roots. To persevere their culture Africans would fake associate their Yoruba culture to Christianity. Here is where you find FILL THIS OUT.

Culturally, Caucasians are viewed as less inclusive, egotistic, materialistic, xenophobic, and competitive. While African people are xenophilic, cooperative, spiritual, inclusive, and people centered. Disassociating African psychology with slavery begins with acknowledging the facts. Overtime scholars have built the misconception that African psychosocial and psych historical evolution began in 1619 with the initial arrival of African slaves to Jamestown, Virginia. This limiting belief system prevents African psychology from being fully understood due to suppression, ego deflation, and manipulation imposed by Eurocentric domination. African psychology allows the perspective of the black individual to be voiced. It begins with a bloodline of empathic spirits who viewed success as a community. Egocentric domination has affected on African psych cultural and the structure of the black family. It is a deconstruction of a worldview that has intentionally robbed most parts of the human family of their divinely given right to know and define their humanity in the context of their legacy and particular culture experience. While African psychology is a reconstruction of the oppressed, it allows African traditions to strengthen the ethos which is associated with the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations.

Euro-American used systematic physical science to determine the difference amongst Caucasians and Africans to compile public policies. The outcome of this approach failed to identify the behavioral aspect of individuals who reside in various living conditions. The history of Euro-American psychology is deeply rooted around European culture which at the time rarely viewed social Euro-American psychology as the center of the social trend. During the 14th century when science began to emerge scientists viewed European culture and race as the Earth as the center of the social universe. This has affected several public policies that influence race relations, especially in America. Integration versus separation, affirmative action, What is the nature of Black intelligence? When discussing Black intellect, there are two vital aspects that comprise this experience and that is consciousness and sensitivity. Consciousness means “with knowledge “ and when linked to African Psychology consciousness reflects the ability to have self-knowledge. This concept is associated with the Euro-American concept of esoteric tradition, which is when a small population believes in a certain concept. That is important because it aligns with Eastern esoteric tradition, that true knowledge is the complete knowledge of oneself. While eastern society associates money, status, and prestige with intelligence - western society is more likely to relate their intelligence to the quality of happiness, peace of mind, good health, longevity, humor, etc.

Parapsychology discussed the intersection of Euro-American and Eastern-American psychology. The integration of these two philosophies support the conscious 360 degrees in self-awareness as self knowledge becomes the foundation for individuals to strengthen and develop mental abilities. Psychokinesis and precognition is better known as mind over matter or mind reading. Clairvoyance is the byproduct of these two concepts. Therefore, when discussing black intelligence or consciousness, it is imperative that the operational definition here would be linked to psychic abilities.

Much like clairvoyance, voodoo is the psychokinesis and precognition. This paranormal energy is largely found in Sub-Saharan Africa where there is a high rate of melanin. Although everyone does not have these energetic traits, these abilities are more characterized in Africa more than any other place on Earth. Although some may associate these gifts to religion, geometrical location, and culture. It still supports the ideas that intellect is strongly related to melanin and psychic abilities.

Factors related to the miseducation of Blacks in psychology began when the research for Black was conducted largely by non-black researchers. Researchers also exhibited biased opinions regarding the idea that African people are direct descendants of Caucasians. Also, when previous research was conducted there were judgmental assumptions in relation to Euro-American psychology as opposed to African psychology. Lastly, There was lack of representation on Africa as a country and Africanity in the concepts related to self-concept of being a Negro in America. These Euro-American perceptions on the actuality of being Black does not reflect the true nature of Black people, but is a Caucasian perspective. With prior research lacking diversity in researchers and participants, this has caused incomplete research. The findings in these theories and studies lack the true essence of what it means to be black because there were no Black people that were included as researchers or participants.

The Black experience is not solely limited to the self. When viewing Black culture it is important to note the importance of “man” being in harmony with the natural vibrations of Earth and the vitality pneumatics of the collective surviving. Unlike Western philosophy; Africans celebrate the tribe and this contributes to the overall wellbeing of the entire collective. Within African cultures ceremonies were held as rites of passages where responsibilities and duties were shared by the community. This initiation shows how the importance of “we” overrides the self-concept of “I” within the African community, because there is a correlation between the consequences of their actions and their family also reaping the benefits or consequences of those actions.