From the Okonji article, what can we make of the idea
that “only black men prefer black counselors” if only 2% of psychologists are
African American?
“Young black men prefer black
counselors.” Is there even enough
evidence to prove this statement if only 2% of psychologists are African
American? While it is reported that
African Americans underuse mental health services; is it the result of some
sort of opposition to therapy in general, or is it simply that there are just
not enough African American therapists available to serve the community? The
article discusses both sides of this question.
It speaks to the fact that there are cultural beliefs such as keeping
one’s business in the family structure and not sharing it with a stranger. Additionally,
seeking counseling might be viewed as a sign of weakness which is not in line with
the idea of strength within the African American culture. The research conducted in this article also reflects
that when given the option, Black men chose an African American counselor and
reality therapy as opposed to a White counselor and person-centered
therapy. A shared ethnicity and the
emphasis on present behavior in reality therapy are preferred by Black men.
What
are the major areas of concerns for Black men?
Some
of the major areas of concern for Black men are:
-Anger
from racism and oppression
-Feelings
of invisibility
-Issues
associated with masculine role strain
-Adolescents’
issues
-Educational
issues
-Employment
issues
-Group
counseling issues
-Family
therapy issues
From
the DeFrancisco article, what were the two components of self-esteem for Black
women?
Social Support: As social
support is a key component of self-esteem for Black women, it takes place in
the form of “family.” The definition of “family”
goes beyond the immediate family and includes extended family, friends, and
church family. This “family” offered
protection and shelter from the oppression outside their communities.
Self-Reliance: As a result of the social support provided to
Black women, they are gaining a sense of self-reliance. Their families, communities and churches are
teaching them to be independent. The research
participants felt that self-reliance was especially encouraged because of their
dual identities as African Americans and as women.
What
do Black heterosexual and Black same-sex couples have in common?
Black
heterosexual and Black same-sex couples have several things in common. Here are some of the examples:
-Black
female same-sex couples are raising their non-biological children at the same
rate as Black married heterosexual couples (14%).
-Black
women in same-sex households are raising children at approximately the same
rate as Black married heterosexual couples.
-Black
same-sex couples are almost as like as Black married couples to report living
in the same residence as they did five years prior.
Is being gay
a choice?
My
answer to the question, “Is being gay a choice?” is definitely no. I have a very good friend who is gay. He was married for 20 years, he and his
ex-wife raised two beautiful daughters, and when his youngest was in high
school, came out and became open about his sexuality – he is gay. In the eight years since that time, I have
watched him grow so much as a person. It’s
as if he had just been waiting all these years to really be himself. In the 20 years he was married, he was a very
devoted and loving husband and father. I
truly believe that if he had a “choice” he would not have chosen to disrupt his
life in the manner in which he did. Just
as the Pitts shared with the mother he is writing to in his article, this was probably
the “first time he’s ever been honest with himself and those around him about
who and what he is.”
What’s
your opinion about how to address homophobia in Black community? On college campuses?
In
my opinion, in the Black community more education around homophobia is
imperative, including reforms in our educational curricula to promote the
humanity around the LGBT community. From
the standpoint of the community, it would be getting back to where these
negative perceptions of homosexuality originate. The idea that to be homosexual is not “truly”
Black. Additionally, there is idea of a
literal translation of the Bible and how homosexuality is viewed by this
translation in the Black Christian community.
This is a big topic! In my
opinion, a shift in such an embedded ideology is a big hill to climb. It can be done, but must be done with great
respect for the current ideology and the patience to move people along the
spectrum to a more open way of thinking.
They must be able to see how it marries with their faith and be able to
reconcile this idea at a personal level.
From
the Froyum abstract, what does this mean for African American gay and lesbian teens? How
difficult would a coming out process be for Black gay and lesbian teens,
particularly in Quadrant 4 of the African-centered behavior model?
The
work done in this study would make it extremely difficult for an African
American gay or lesbian teen to come out.
In fact, it would seem to make it virtually impossible. Everything is geared around “protecting”
their heterosexual identities. What if they
are not heterosexual? Then what do they
do? What a source of internal struggle
this would be. It seems to me that the
effects of this would be extremely damaging.
Below
is a link to an interesting article and video published on a website serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in
North and South Carolina.
