Cultural Awareness Of African Americans

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Abstract Cultural awareness and life experiences can help guide a future school counselor on a path that can allow that person to challenge the norms and expectations of the people of around them. People often us the term “never judge a book by its cover” and this statement is relevant in understanding how a counselor can make an impact on students from all walks of life. My personal experiences as an African American man will give me a completely unique view of the surrounding world but will only enhance my ability to reach others as they look to overcome obstacles and barriers that are in their pathway of success. As an African American male growing up in America I have always been cognizant of my actions and others view me as an individual.…show more content…
Our family makes it a priority to get together for thanksgiving and Christmas and enjoy food, friends, and family. Of course this is not exclusive to just us, but the opportunity to enjoy each other during a time in history that is not as volatile is priceless to many of the older members of my family who have vivid memories of difficult times in the same city and town. Traditionally, the holidays are a time when we are able to cook and enjoy the soul food that we normally do not get to eat during the rest of the year. While there are times when meals are prepared throughout the year that consist of certain dishes, our family really makes a diligent effort to include all of the dishes that have been passed down for generations and have become a holiday staple for our family. Traditional dishes that are prepared by our family include: collard and turnip greens, ham hocks, chitterlings, macaroni and cheese, fried fish, ribs, neckbones, yams, fatback, cornbread, rice, grits, butter beans, black eyed peas, chicken livers, grits, lima beans, mashed potatoes, and hot sauce for seasonings. These foods are delicious and do a great job in bringing us together as a family. Historically, the origins of this social and culinary movement are rooted in slavery. Individuals were forced to make do with little food, scarce kitchen supplies and no freedom. Therefore, slaves combined familiar crops with salvaged foods and scraps to develop an entirely new cuisine. But it is important to understand that long before it was a cultural symbol and source of pride, soul food was simply a means of survival. Slaves also began to supplement the meager rations they received from their owners with discarded animal parts including pig’s stomach and pig’s intestines to name a few. There was nothing left
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