Social scientists define ethnic groups as categories of people who are distinctive on the basis of national origin or heritage, language, or cultural practices (Rosenblum, K. & Travis, T.M. ,2011). “Members of an ethnic group hold a set of common memories that make them feel that their customs, culture, and outlook are distinctive” (Blauner, 1992). A person's heritage is made up of the practices and traditions that are passed on from parents to children. Culture refers to the way of life of a specific group of people. It can be seen in ways of behaving, beliefs, values, customs followed, dress style, personal decoration like makeup and jewelry, relationships with others and special symbols and codes “ African American culture and heritage” (2014). Culture is passed on from one generation (parents) to the next (children).
As an African American (Black) female, growing up and living in America hasn’t been much of a challenge for me as it was for those before me, my ancestors. I am sure that my family heritage goes back to slavery times. Because I am an African American, I know that many of my ancestors suffered during slavery because of the color of their skin. I haven’t had the pleasure to learn about my family history, but I have heard many stories about those before me from my late great grandmother.
My great grandmother was a beautiful and humbled person. She had the resemblance of a Native American or Caucasian woman. She was about 5 feet tall with long wavy jet black hair. She claimed to be black even though her dad was a Caucasian man and her mom was African American. People often confused her with being a Caucasian lady. Before her passing, she would tell us stories about her mom living on a plantation and her dad being her mom’s slave owner. She also shared a lot of medical remedies with my grandmother that is being used today. For example, my eight week old son has been really congested and just stuffy. I called my grandmother and she advised me to get some castor oil, rub a little in the middle of his head and under his feet and he will begin to feel better. Yes, I did just that and a day later he pooped out all the bad toxins and was feeling much better. Another remedy that was passed down from my great grandmother to my grandmother was if a baby has gas them a little catnip tea and it helps to move gas and relieve cramping. No, I haven’t tried this yet but I am sure I will in the near future.
Culturally as an adult I have developed my own way of living. My religion and beliefs has been culturally formed since being a child. I was taught, religiously, to believe that Jesus Christ is my lord and savior. To this day, I still believe that Jesus Christ is my lord and savior. I was also taught to always bless your foods before eating and pray for those that need healing. Those are my religious ways of living. My grandmother is a very head strong woman. She raised us to work hard; never one hundred percent depend on a man unless it’s Jesus Christ, and always have your own.
These things I do live by. Because I live by these customs doesn’t mean it’s a good thing. Common family practices and customs can also be a down fall in some people lives. For example, I am so independent that’s hard to find a man on my level and if he is on my level, it’s hard for me to let him be in charge.
When it comes to foods we eat as a traditional African American family, we