African American Culture in a Modern American Dominant...

African American Culture in a Modern American Dominant Sociology Intro to Sociology September 3, 2010 Janice Caparro African American culture in the United States refers to the cultural contributions of Americans African descent to the culture of the United States, either as part of or distinct from American culture. The distinct identity of African American culture is rooted in the historical experience of the African American people. The culture is both distinct and enormously influential to American culture as a whole. African-American culture is rooted in Africa. It is a blend of chiefly sub-Saharan African and Sahelean cultures. Although slavery greatly restricted the ability of Americans of African descent to practice their†¦show more content†¦The folktales provided African Americans the opportunity to inspire and educate one another. Examples of African American folktales include trickster tales of Brer Rabbit and heroic tales such as that of John Henry. The Uncle Remus stories by Joel Chandler Harris helped to bring African-American folk tales into mainstream adoption. Harris did not appreciate the complexity of the stories nor their potential for a lasting impact on society. The legacy of the African-American oral tradition manifests in diverse forms. African-American preachers tend to perform rather than simply speak. The emotion of the subject is carried through the speakers tone, volume, and movement, which tend to mirror the rising action, climax, and descending action of the sermon. Often song, dance, verse, and structured pauses are placed throughout the sermon. Call and response is another pervasive element of the African-American oral tradition. It manifests in worship in what is commonly referred to as the amen corner. In direct contrast to recent tradition in other American and Western cultures, it is an acceptable and common audience reaction to interrupt and affirm the speaker. This pattern of interaction is also in evidence in music, particularly in blues and jazz forms. Hyperbolic and provocative, even incendiary, rhetoric is another aspect of African American oral tradition often evident in the pulpit in a traditionShow MoreRelatedCultural Pluralism : As Educators What Pluralistic Perspective Do841 Words   |  4 Pagesenvironment of other ethnic groups? Every teacher has a different teaching style. Identifying the best model of excellence in a pluralistic curriculum will increase good results in student achievement. Building Cultural Connections: †¢ Recognize Customs, Culture, and Religion †¢ Knowing and learning other cultural practices †¢ Knowing and understanding the differences and similarities of beliefs Barbara T. Bowman, Vice President of Academic Programs at the Erikson Institute in Chicago, Illinois, expresses theRead MoreIs Homelessness Not Just A Problem?1714 Words   |  7 Pagesother resources that are vital to survival. 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