African American Care

MichaelLooney · Feb 8, 2006

Wow, where on earth do you live? I've heard of some Native American prejudice further north, like around northern Nebraska, but wasn't aware of any problems in the Midwest. I'm in SW Mo and we have a large number of people around here at least part Indian, or claim to be.

I'm smack dab in the middle of the state. I didn't understand it when I first saw it. THough it was a cowincidence until I noticed the people pass BACK across the street right afterwards and turn around looking at the couple. Had to ask my wife about it. Coming from Va I'm use to seeing all kind of different races all walking around and never had I seen anything like that outside of old videos from back during segragation.

NaomieRN · Feb 8, 2006

I think alot of the responses are generalizing statements. I am from the Caribbean, I do not believe in witch craft. I believe in Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. I like to make eye contact when talking to people. I do not eat high fat foods or high sodium. I eat healthy foods and exercise. I do not practice voodoo.

A fundamental principle that underlies all nursing practice is respect for the inherent worth, dignity and human rights of every individual. Nurses are morally obligated to respect the individual needs and values of all persons.

Respect is important in all cultures instead of assuming that a particular group believe in witch craft, eat certain foods etc.

CametoitlateTexan · Feb 8, 2006

Respect is important in all cultures instead of assuming that a particular group believe in witch craft, eat certain foods etc.

That's the bottom line, isn't it.

firstyearstudent · Feb 8, 2006

I recently did a report on African American healthcare beliefs and I emphasized the following:

Many African Americans, with good reason, are distrustful of the healthcare system.

For this and other cultural reasons, many African Americans are reluctant to have surgery and often prefer other treatments over best advice.

hooterhorse · Feb 8, 2006

Actually, I think one of our nursing school bood (Fundamentals of Nursing by Potter/Perry) mentioned something about a particular culture percieving eye contact as disrespectful, but I thought that it was Asian.

Info was geared more to make you "think" and be aware, not to group and assume.

marylyric · Feb 8, 2006

Yeah. One of my best friends is Italian-American, I know this because she proudly tells me and anyone else who will listen although she, her parents and grandparents were born and raised in MILWAUKEE. She proudly tells me of various customs and beliefs she practices because she's Italian, I bet it doesn't stick in anyone's craw when she says that. I have another friend who says that she is of Scotch-Irish descent she thinks and her Daddy puts on a kilt once a year to honor his presumed ancestry but no one cringes at that and says he is being politically correct, in fact I always tease her and offer her a special greeting on St. Paddy's day but when I refer to myself as African-American people get upset. I'm supposed to ignore my ancestry, or better yet pretend it never happened.

I totally agree. Most African-Americans of today could trace their ancestry only so far. This is generally speaking, because records were lost or were not kept on African Americans births and deaths during the early 19th century. The Bible was used a lot of time to document births and deaths in the African American family. The Truth is most African Americans are just that, mixed with Indian and African and various other races. That being said, I know that my great great grandfather was Cherokee Indian, and I believe that it would be quite a chore for me to go back to Africa and trace my Ancestry. I probably could on my Grandmothers side, but even she was not totally African, so where would that leave me, Probably more American than Most.

LPN1974, LPN · Feb 8, 2006

This sure is an interesting thread. I just found it today and have only read a few posts, but I am going to go back when I have time and read some more.

I think I might learn some things here.

They were supposed to give us a class at work on culture but I never got to attend.

I hope that I can be respectful to all peoples, but according to different opinions in some of these posts it might be hard to just look at someone and know whether or not direct eye contact would be considered rude or offensive or honest, truthful, respectful...Just how do you know?

Is there a way to be respectful, and not break the rules, even tho you're looking someone in the eye and they consider it disrespectful?

Just how do you know what to do? There are as many different opinions on this as there are people.

nicholrwalker · Feb 9, 2006

This sure is an interesting thread. I just found it today and have only read a few posts, but I am going to go back when I have time and read some more.
I think I might learn some things here.
They were supposed to give us a class at work on culture but I never got to attend.
I hope that I can be respectful to all peoples, but according to different opinions in some of these posts it might be hard to just look at someone and know whether or not direct eye contact would be considered rude or offensive or honest, truthful, respectful...Just how do you know?
Is there a way to be respectful, and not break the rules, even tho you're looking someone in the eye and they consider it disrespectful?
Just how do you know what to do? There are as many different opinions on this as there are people.

If you would just be geniune and knowledgable when communicating with patients of any race, I think you will be okay. I think we mess up when we assume that we have treat people according to race and not for who they are. :uhoh3: :uhoh3:

P_RN, ADN, RN · Feb 9, 2006

If you would just be geniune and knowledgable when communicating with patients of any race, I think you will be okay. I think we mess up when we assume that we have treat people according to race and not for who they are. :uhoh3:

Absolutely! AMEN!

SFCardiacRN · Feb 9, 2006

If you would just be geniune and knowledgable when communicating with patients of any race, I think you will be okay. I think we mess up when we assume that we have treat people according to race and not for who they are. :uhoh3:

Yup, that. I think sometimes PC stands for "partially clueless"!

chattypattyCRNA2B · Feb 9, 2006

As a black person, here are some things that are culturally relevant to providing health care to African-Americans.
1. Direct eye contact may be interpreted as rude
2. Person may seek home remedies or witch doctor before seeking professional help
3. Due to matriarchal family structures, person may seek advice from a trusted older female relative before seeking professional help
4. High fat, high sodium diet is commonly consumed. There's a preference for fried foods
5. Personal touch is perfectly acceptable among close friends and relatives, but is offensive among strangers and acquaintances
6. There's a tendency to be present-oriented and take the day as it comes. Person might be late to appointments since punctuality isn't stressed

I hated this part of the nursing curriculum....I know a lot of it may be valid, but it makes so many generalizations that just can not be applied to everyone in a particular group. I'm an African-American and about half of those listed above don't apply to me. For example: I would not trust the person if they DIDN'T look me in the eye. Personal touch is okay with me, it shows that the nurse is showing care and compassion. Punctuality IS important to me and when I'm late I'm very embarrassed. I don't know of any witch doctors and if I did I would be scared to go around them. As far as the fried foods go...hey I love fried foods, but since I've gotten older I've made a conscious effort to limit my intake of fried foods and I use only pure canola or olive oil when frying. I do however, have an interest in herbal medicine and would try an herb to help promote good health, but I wouldn't substitute it for conventional medicine. For example I drink senna tea to help with constipation.

I know this does have a place in the nursing curriculum. I just never want to come across as assuming anything about a patient who is in front of me for fear that I might offend. I guess that type of intuition and experience will come with time.

marylyric · Feb 9, 2006

If you would just be geniune and knowledgable when communicating with patients of any race, I think you will be okay. I think we mess up when we assume that we have treat people according to race and not for who they are. :uhoh3:

Exactly. first, we are all part of the human race.