If they have always been Christianized and or Westernized, has this anything to do with the history of Western influence in, say, Africa, for example - such as Rome's influence during imperial times and the influence of Saint Augustine Of Hippo etc?
If black Americans did once have their own religion, culture and language, what happened to it all? Have they become assimilated?
I am trying to be as neutral as possible - and peace to those of African decent - so please try and understand my question, which is geared towards culture and religion (and it is not about racism).
2006-11-24 07:28:11 · 4 answers · asked by Yahoo user 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Regarding the word 'pioneering', I was being extremely polite, if you know what I mean.
2006-11-24 07:36:33 · update #1
Your question is a good one. When Blacks were brought to this hemisphere they were severely punished, tortured and killed for living by their native religion, cultures and other attributes that were not to the advantage of those who enslaved them. Many who were baptised and forced to practice Catholicism were able to preserve their beliefs by using saint's names to refer to dietys they recognized in Africa. This practice remains and with Blacks living with and intermarrying with people of Latin descent, you will find many practitioners of Santaria. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santaria Africans had an oral tradition of passing information from generation to generation, but were banned from speaking their native language. Knowing this, you can guess how difficult it would have been to pass along ideas and concepts that did not have a frame of reference in the English language. Historically other people who immigrated were allowed to "assimilate" seamlessly. Blacks had to fight to be included in the mainstream via court decisions such as Brown vs. the Board of Education, and the Civil Rights Act. In the 60's Blacks tried to attend the University of Arkansas, which their tax dollars supported. They were met by the State's Governor who tried to refuse admission. Rosa Parks after putting in a hard day at work was told to get up and move to the back of a public bus. Even as free people, historically elected officials tried to force subordination and separation on Blacks. The civil rights act made it unlawfus to discriminate but does not force or encourage assimilation. Fast forward to today...there is still much polarization, which is unfortunate. We live in a wonderful country and if everyone would live and let live and really learn to listen to each other, we would find we have much more in common than we have that is different.
2006-11-24 09:53:08 · answer #1 · answered by ValleyViolet 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
African Methodist Episcopalian
2006-11-24 07:35:17 · answer #2 · answered by Bonita Applebaum 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they're descended from Africans - for this reason the term African American - and somewhat a number of their customs and attitudes mirror those user-friendly of their ancestor's native land. You look blind to the certainty that African individuals ARE descendants of African human beings captured via white human beings of their own united states of america (Africa) and delivered against their will to united statesa. to work together in compelled exertions. They by no ability asked to come back to united statesa. and, as quickly as right here, have been no longer able to leave because of the fact they have been in captivity. in case you do no longer take place to love African individuals, you could blame your person ancestors - slave deliver captains and grasping plantation proprietors - for forcing their ancestors to come back right here against their will. Had you been a slave your self in those circumstances with a youthful eye-catching spouse, and additionally you probably did something to upset the "grasp", you have gotten got here upon your self tied to a tree outdoors your cabin so which you will desire to computer screen a dozen or extra rednecks line up outdoors your cabin to flow in and rape yoiur spouse. you could hear her cries and screams, yet you're tied to a tree. there is not any longer something you're able to do. Is that a honest punishment for you p*ssing off the guy who offered you at a slave public sale and has papers proving which you belong to him?
2016-10-17 11:56:24 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By pioneering Africans do you mean those were you captured, beaten, starved and forced to come here and work for "Masters"?
2006-11-24 07:32:08 · answer #4 · answered by Cyndi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋