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Information on Specific Cultural Groups
African American & African
Asian American, Asian, & Pacific Islander
Native American
Hispanic & Latino Americans
African Americans
Individuals of African origin comprise approximately 14% of the population in the United States. The term African American refers to individuals in the U.S.A., usually raised here, who are of African ancestry, whereas the term Black is more general and can refer to anyone of African ancestry, including recent immigrants.
History & Background
Historically, the ancestors of many contemporary African Americans were enslaved and brought to the Americas against their will. People such as Nat Turner, a preacher who led the most significant slave uprising in American history, Harriet Tubman, a prominent leader of the underground railroad, and Harriet Beacher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, helped to fight against slavery.
Even after ratifications of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth amendments, which prohibited slavery and granted United States citizenship, segregation laws (Black Codes, Jim Crow laws) and violent repression continued - restricting African Americans from voting or taking active roles in their citizenship. It was not until 1954 that segregation in public schools was deemed unconstitutional (see Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kans.).
Through organizaitons such as the NAACP inspiration of people such as Booker T. Washington, Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr., the rights and freedoms of African Americans have increasingly improved in the United States.
Notable Events
Black History Month - February, the celebration of the historic past of African Americans.
Kwanzaa - Celebrated December 26th through January 1st, Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement.
Culture & Traditions
African cultures involve many aspects of music, dance, art, and storytelling. With more than 1,000 languages spoken and many different religions and tribes, Africa is rich in cultural diversity. African American homes also have remarkable diversity, with notable differences across regions of the U.S. Families often include immediate and extended relatives, with a collectivistic worldview and sense of shard community. For this and other cultures that value a collective lifestyle, tactile learning and cooperative grouping instructional activities may be better as they parallel the context for learning found in their cultures.
Links:
National Association of the Advancement of Color People
African American Resources Arranged by Subject African American Web Connection African American Resources for educators African American Music and Culture Information on African Americans
American Asians & Asians
American Asians make up about 55 of the United states' population and are one of the fastest growing groups in North America. Asian Americans are highly diverse, with dozens of ethnic backgrounds and languages, including individuals from Chinese, Japanses, Korean, Indonesian, Laotion, Philippine, Thai, and Vietnamese ancestry.
History & Background
The first Asians to sellte the United States were Chinese Filipinos who had originally migrated to Mexico then moved to what is now Louisiana. Beginning in the 1840's, increasing numbers of Chinese workers immigrated to the West, as well as Japanese, Koreans, and Filipinos to Hawaii. These early immigrant laborers underwent much persecution and were not originaly granted citizenship even if their children were born in the United States. This caused them to form their own communities where they could be self-sufficient. Conditions for Asians in the United states did not improve dramatically until after the conclusion of World War II, during which thousands of Japanese Americans had been kept in isolated camps. During the 1970s and 1980s, there were several waves that increased immigration from Southeast Asia following the Vietnam conflict.
Notable Events
Chinese New Year - Celebrated on the first day of the first moon of the lunar calendar (variable, from January 29th to February 19th), this colorful holiday is commemorated through festivals, food, family, and traditional rituals helping to bring in a new year. There are many crafts and activites that can be fun in the classrooms to help celebrate Chinese New Year.
Culture & Traditions
Asian Americans commonly face challenges in establishing cultural identity. This is expecially true of second-generation immigrants who struggle with the balance of traditional cultural ideas and the pressure of assimilating into the very different American cultural society. When working with individuals of Asian ancestry it is important to understand three of the main Eastern phiilosophies and their impact upon Asian culture: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Within these philosophies families are highly structure, hierarchical, and paternally oriented. Family systems are also taught not to bring shame to one's family and that the welfare and integrity of the family are very important. The philosophies also teach principles of peace, balance, and harmony. This is one reason why some Asians may tend to avoid confrontation or appear passive, indifferent, or indecisive. Using indirect methods of communication may be appropriate for some Asians with strong ties to their ancestral culture.
Links:
Pacific Islanders
Pacific Islanders encompass a wide range of cultural groups and nationalities from Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia in the Pacific Ocean. Polynesia is made of several groups of islands forming a triangle including Hawaii, the Easter Islands, and New Zealand. Melanesia consists of Fiji, Papau New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. Micronesia is divided into eight territories and includes Guam, Diribate, and the Marshal Islands.
History & Background
European explorers, such as Captain James Cook, encountered the Polynesian Islands in the 17 and 18th centuries. Shortly thereafter missionaries went to the islands preaching and converting the polynesians to Christianity. Soon Europe and America were claiming political power over these islands, overthrowing their own individual monarchies. However, some traditional monarchies (i.e., Tonga) still thrive today.
Notable Events
Lei Day - Celebrated on May 1st, Lei Day is a Hawaiian celebration of wearing flowered wreathes. Festivites include music, hula, and lei making contests.
Kamehameha Day - King Kamehameha I is honored every year on June 11th for uniting all the Hawaiian islands together under one monarchy and reigning in peace and with "mana" - the spiritual power from the gods.
Culture & Traditions
The Pacific Islanders live a very collectivist lifestyle where the family, both immediate and extended, works together in a solidified community. Pacific Islanders often find conflict in balancing traditional "laid-back" attitudes and the high pressure demands of American educatioal pedagogy. Pacific Islander culture follows customs and traditions based on anciet principles that promote living an honorable and noble lifestyle. Imbeddded deeply into the Polynesian culture is that of music, dance, and food. Mush of the Polynesian art and dancing relays the story of the events of missionalries and political control, as music and dance is an ancient way of passing down history from one generation to another. This being the case, teachers may want to use both written and oral instruction, particularly in literary subjects.
Links:
Polynesian Culture Association
Native Americans
Native Americans are the indigenous peoples of this land. They currently compose 1% of the population. The culture and traditions of Native Americans have been a source of support and healing in contemporary society, and educators will benefit from understanding the unique backgrounds and heritages of their Native American students.
History & Background
Each tribe has its own unique history in North America. Increasingly, that history is being related in public schools. For example, stories of the pilgrims settling New England are now intermixed with stories of Squanto and others teaching them how to build warm houses, plant crops, and adapt their European ways to the new environment. Accounts of explorations of the West are now recognizing not only Sacagawea helping Lewis and Clark but the ways in which Native peoples were betrayed during decades of encroachment and violence. Accounts of WWII now recognize unique contributions of Native Americans, such as the Navajo Code Talkers who used their native language to effectively transmit messages without being de-coded.
Native Americans are gaining increased representation and political power. The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, or the Indian New Deal, established new rights to Indian nations allowing them limited sovereignty and presenting them with new roads, health care, and education. Civil liberties have gradually increased since that time, although the legacy of past oppression continues to play an important role that should not be minimized.
Culture & Traditions
There are now more than 500 Indian tribes recognized in the United States. While there are similarities between tribal heritage and traditions, Native American culture varies from nation to nation. Furthermore, the culture of Native Americans living on reservations differs greatly from Native Americans who do not to live on reservations.
What exactly is Native American culture? There is no single answer to this question. As educators develop lesson plans for teaching about Native American culture it is important to know and understand that each tribe holds its own traditions and ways of life. Often the media and books tend to inappropriately generalize all Native Americans. Teaching specific information about different tribes will help to give a more accurate depiction of Native American culture. Educators may want to consider incorporating cooperative learning, focusing on building strong relationships of trust, and using real life examples to illustrate the importance of classroom material. The following links provide more examples of how educations can modify their classrooms.
Links:
Strategies for Teaching Native Americans
Virtual Library of American Indians
Teaching About Native American Lesson Plans
American Indian Science and Engineering Society
Hispanic & Latino Americans
Over 36% of Latinos living in the United States are under the age of 18. Although children often adapt to new environments easier than adults, they may also experience difficulties related to the multiple pressures they encounter. Knowledge of acculturation processes and dilemmas are therefore essential to working with children who have relocated recently. Useful information includes familiarity with concepts of familismo (close family ties), personalismo (people-centered living), and simpatía (easy going, pleasant personal qualities).
History & Background
Long before European immigrants came to North America the Spanish had explored, settled, and claimed lands such as California and Florida. The United States later annexed lands claimed by Mexico that are present-day Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and California.
Individuals of Latin American origin comprise over 14% of the population in the United States, and this ethnic group is the fastest growing in Utah and surrounding states. Much attention has been focused on new waves of immigrants, but professionals need to be aware of the wide variety of needs and experiences across different Latino subpopulations. Although about 80% of Latinos in Utah originated from Mexico, many other nationalities are represented here. Many individuals raised in the U.S. speak only English and have assimilated to European American culture.
Notable Events
Cinco de Mayo – A celebration of Mexico’s defeat over France in Puebla, Mexico on May 5th, 1862. Although this is not an official holiday of the United States many people celebrate on this day. There are also lesson plans for teachers wishing to celebrate this month available.
Hispanic Heritage Month – September 15th: the Independence Day for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.
Culture & Traditions
The term “Hispanic” is used in the United States to describe all people of Latino and Spanish descent. It is a broad ethnic classification of people originating from over 20 countries in Central and South America. Educators need to account for diversity among Hispanic students.
The family is the nucleus of Hispanic life. Involving the family as much as possible in the education process will not only help the student, but increase the likelihood of future educational success among all family members. Many Hispanic students are bilingual. If they are not proficient in their native language, or the language spoke at home, they may have difficulty with English language skills or reading comprehension in school. Teachers should encourage increasing English skills through bilingual educational programs or methods, understanding that true bilingualism means being proficient in both English and native languages.
Educators should also understand and respect cultural differences. For example, Hispanics tend to have closer personal space and value physical contact. Appearance and group memberships are very important. Latinos will work hard for the goals of a group and will work hard for the needs of the community. Educators can better serve their students when they learn and accommodate for their cultural heritage and ways of interacting with others.
Links:
Latin American Network Information Center