African American Cultural Practice Research Paper

African American Cultural Practice - Research Paper Example Therefore, it was not illegal to practice racism. Racism against African Americans remained institutionalized in America throughout 17th and 18th centuries, notes Nedoma (56). The success of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery were seen by blacks as the turning point in their lives. This is because they believed that the abolition of slavery and the end of the Civil War would mark the beginning of a new chapter in their life (Williams 68). However, the hopes that American Americans that racism would end did not materialize. In fact, reports indicate that the end of Civil War and slavery only ushered in the beginning of a new form of racism. Since then, the social and racial identity of African Americans has been constantly and systematically under attack because of their blackness as will be demonstrated in this document. Sociologists argue that the social identity of an individual has a direct link to racial and cultural identity, which gives the individual a sense of purpose in life (Bobo and Fox 321). It is not uncommon to find people of different races across the globe enjoy being associated with their races. For instance, the Greeks, Swedes, Italians, Spaniards, French and Germans have recognizable cultures that are directly linked to their racial and social identities. In fact, they cherish and embrace the identities wherever they go. Some of the cultural identities they are linked to include food, religion, and all manner of good things. In fact, in most cases, their cultural practices are portrayed on a positive note. However, a very different story is usually told when it comes to people of color, African Americans, in particular. In this regard, societies where racism is highly prevalent such as the United States tend to associate African Americans with negative things. African Americans ar e portrayed as if they are non-Americans merely because of the color of their skin. Bobo and Fox observe that in a