Analysis Of 'African American Relationships, Marriages, And Families'

In chapter 5 of “African American Relationships, Marriages, and Families” (Dixon, 2017) by Dixon, she begins with discussing the tradition view of woman hood in Africa. In the Ifa tradition of the Yoruba of Nigeria West Africa, there were many female dieties surrounding their culture including Oshun and Isis. Oshun is the central role in the creation of humanity being a great queen, mother, giver of children, and holder of mysterious, intrinsic female power. The Isis was known as the goddess, giver of life, queen of earth, God’s wife, mother, and adorer. Women were recognized for their feminine power, energy, and persona and were seen as divine because it was utilized in all aspects of life including creation. In contemporary times, we do
Each of these stereotypes generated during slavery take place in how society and social institutions perceived black men. Masculinity is described as fulfilling the prescribed gender roles of being a man which includes being a provider and protector. During slavery, black men were shunned, mutilated, and killed if they tried to protect their families. In contemporary times, black masculinity has adapted to new Western ideas and is represented by maintaining cool, ambitious, an emphasis on personal appearance and fashion, and the tough guy. However, with the rise of a new hip-hop culture, representations of Black masculinity are adapting and
It’s a critical issue because it occurs and persists today due to the racialized stereotypes of gender performance that black men and women that originated during slavery. Black men and women being perceived as angry, aggressive, animalistic, and dangerous are primary reasons why we are perceived as threats to society and other social institutions. In social institutions, such as the criminal justice system, black men are subject to violence and abuse by brutal physical attacks and/or lethal weapons, which coincide with the black masculinity. While black women are subject to sexual assault, rape, and other forms of sexual abuse due to the representation of black femininity. In families and intimate relationships, black men and women are likely to be a victim of violence and abuse due to racial discrimination faced by society and bring emotional distress home and express violence towards romantic partner and children. As a black woman in society today, I hope I will never have to endure any forms of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse by any male. Life is challenging and society doesn’t make life any less difficult, therefore I would never monetarily exploit nor abuse my partner in any form. In a relationship, I would never tolerate mistreatment of any form because I would never cause harm, physically attack, or abuse my partner. I provide kind,