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African American Culture

Institution

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Professor

Course

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History of prejudice and discrimination

African American population being a minority group has faced a lot of challenges from

preconceived opinions and feelings, and natural varying distinctions. Their legality has always

been a challenge as they poses distinct characteristics, in terms of color, that make them isolated

and looked down upon. It is difficult for the African American group to gain political power

from the low population. Segregation permitted a direct recognition of power and provided for a

system that only provided for a system of management for that partially contained its violence

(Plummer, 2013, p. 5)Therefore, most political outcomes are dependent on the large race as they

possess the majority opinion, viable politically. Since majority decisions are made on their

behalf, they end up receiving poor education, being on the opposite side of the legal authority,

and lagging behind in economic aspects.

Immigration experience

Racial perception and preclusions started in the early 1990s after the migration of

minority races. The majority of present immigrants arrived in 1900 (National Academies of

Sciences, Medicine, & Population, 2016, p. 24). Distinctions based on color and race became

rampant and seclusions in both social, political, and economic activities were manifested. Health

inequalities between white and African American races are a manifestation of prejudice and

discrimination (Reskin, 2012). The migration trend reduced with time because of the

discriminations and mistreatment. The African American population kept on growing from the

intermarriages that occurred among them. The assimilation of the current American group has

increased because of the adaptation they have accrued over time compared to earlier years when

they faced hostility.

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Health outcomes

The African American population has lagged behind in general health care as priority is

given to the whites. They majorly suffer from lifestyle diseases; diabetes, hypertension, obesity,

and stroke, which increase their mortality rate from increased morbidity among the population.

Due to increased poverty levels, it becomes hard for them to acquire nutritional balance that

leads to malnutrition disorders. Special nutritional requirements resulting from adaptation to

living in the tropics were rarely satisfied, making life a nutritional nightmare (Barkan, 2013, p.

14). Increase in hypertension, diabetes, and other mental disorders due to increased mental

pressure from the poor living conditions affects their health care. Drugs become the only option

to reduce mental pressure which in turn increases health problems like heart and liver diseases.

The African American group is less insured and because most of them cannot afford the

insurance and the policy is discriminative. From the poor living conditions, death rate increases

and suicide also becomes the only option to overcome the hard living.

Best care practices for health practitioners who engage with the African American group

By understanding that the major causes of health issues amongst the African American

groups are lifestyle issues which increase mental pressure, health practitioners can engage them

directly. Providing guiding and counselling sessions can help the affected members relieve their

mental pressures, majoring on gender. With the commodification of black bodies came the

objection of African American health (Fett, 2002, p. 18). The engagement to be done both

verbally and non-verbally to help in guiding on importance of nutritional balance and exercise to

reduce both communicable and non-communicable diseases. While making health policies, the

practitioners to prioritize the African American group issues with the stakeholders.
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Conclusion

The African American group has undergone through a lot of challenges both

discriminating and prejudicing them. It has affected both children and young people

economically, socially, politically, and psychologically. From the racial discrimination they face,

it leads them to engage in criminal activities which lead them to the opposite ends with the legal

system. The poor lifestyle causes malnutrition, poor recreational facilities, and poor educational

level which increases negative health effects. The health practitioners are the ones who can help

the African American group by giving them extended medical care.

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Refences

Barkan, E. R. (2013). Immigrants in American history: Arrival, adaptation, and integration:

ABC-CLIO.

Fett, S. M. (2002). Working cures: Healing, health, and power on southern slave plantations:

Univ of North Carolina Press.

National Academies of Sciences, E., Medicine, & Population, C. o. (2016). The integration of

immigrants into American society: National Academies Press.

Plummer, B. G. (2013). In search of power: African Americans in the era of decolonization,

1956-1974: Cambridge University Press.

Reskin, B. (2012). The race discrimination system. Annual Review of Sociology, 38, 17-35.