From Imagining to Understanding the African American Experience aids and encourages the reader to develop his/her "sociological imaginations" and to broaden their understanding of the "Sociology of the Black Experience," particularly in the United States' multicultural society.
From Imagining to Understanding the African American Experience:
- Provides a unique sociological exploration of the African American experience and how it has been specifically impacted by culprits such as slavery and racism.
- Because "race" still matters in the United States, every section of this book explores the sociological impact of slavery and racism on the experiences of black Americans.
- Provides a solid presentation of the different phases of the "Black Experience" in American society. As the book moves through each phase, beginning with the institution of slavery itself, it explores the impact of slavery and racism on major social institutions and social problems of black life (family, education, crime, etc.), right up to the present, to show how a life of slavery has impacted every aspect.
- Vividly describes being "BLACK" in America by discussing "the good, the bad, the ugly, and the magnificent" in the black culture.
CHAPTER 1: SOCIOLOGY OF THE BLACK EXPERIENCE
Race Matters in America
Barriers to Positive Race Relations
Africa and Africans
CHAPTER 2: SLAVERY
CHAPTER 3: FROM CIVIL WAR TO CIVIL RIGHTS
The Post Civil War Period (Reconstruction): 1865-1877
CHAPTER 4: SOCIAL MOVEMENTS: CIVIL RIGHTS AND BLACK POWER
The Civil Rights Movement
The Black Power Movement
Both Movements
CHAPTER 5: CULTURE AND RELIGION
Religion
The Black Church Culture
CHAPTER 6: POLITICS AND THE MILITARY
Politics
Military
CHAPTER 7: COMMUNITY: GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION, FAMILY, AND HEALTH
The Black Community and Geographical Location
The Black Family
Health in the Black Community
CHAPTER 8: SOCIAL CLASS, EDUCATION, AND EMPLOYMENT
Social Class
Education
The Talented Tenth and the Mis-education of the Negro
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Current Status of Blacks and Education
Employment
Current Status of Blacks and Employment
"Icons" in the African American Educational Community
CHAPTER 9: ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS, LITERARY WORKS, AND ENTERTAINMENT
Artistic Expressions
Literary Works
Entertainment
On the Horizon in the Black Community
CHAPTER 10: "BLACK" IN AMERICA
Demographics of African Americans
The "Good"
The "Bad"
The "Ugly"
The Magnificent
Sociology of the Black Experience Revisited
Phyllis Gray Ray
Dr. Phyllis A. Gray is currently Professor of Sociology/Social Psychology at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. She has published numerous scholarly articles in both national and international journals, and has been principal investigator on many grants and contracts. Her research mainly focuses on race related issues and African Americans. Throughout her academic career, she has taught courses on The Sociology of the Black Experience, Intergroup Relations, Race Relations, and Racial Minorities. In addition to being the recipient of many honors and awards, she is also a member of the American Sociological Association, the Association of Black Sociologists, and is the founding Executive Director of the National Black Graduate Student Association, Inc. A native of Beaufort, South Carolina, she received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from South Carolina State University and a Master's Degree and Doctorate Degree in Sociology/Social Psychology from Iowa State University.
