I Still Remember America: Senior African Americans Talk About Segregation

Abstract

This paper identifies the survival and coping strategies senior African Americans adopted during segregation in the southern USA. Describing how they maintained positive outlooks on life, our respondents discussed family unity, community strength, the contestation of African American inferiority, religious faith, fighting physical aggression, and downplaying the impact of segregation. They consistently mentioned differential treatment, violence, and their inability to access most public spaces. Respondents depicted segregation as a group, rather than an individual, experience. The findings reveal the significance of lived experience and collective memory in processes of identity formation for African Americans, and they have implications for contemporary race relations in the USA.

Representations and Remembrance: Tracing Civil Rights Meanings in the Narratives of Civil Rights Activists and Hollywood Filmmakers

“…Dr. King and the unified black leadership are icons of social change in the documentary. 12 We found unity and resilience to be essential to representations of blackness in memories of segregation by senior black Floridians in interviews carried out in 2000 (Liberato et al 2008).…”

Cultural Mistrust and Counseling: A Review of Factors Impacting African Americans Males

“…These extreme forms of racism highlighted despicable behaviors from the majority culture towards African Americans. The purpose was to create fear, prevent equality, and antagonize African Americans, especially true for African American males (Liberato et al, 2008).…”

“…The African American male identifies his community as family, friends, and the church. This community is built on commonalities, such as coping with racism (Liberato et al, 2008), psychosocial inequalities, racial identity, and faith. The African American community is resilient to daily hardships.…”

“…The African American community is resilient to daily hardships. Liberato et al (2008), described this resiliency of past, and present adversities often told through storytelling that provides community visibility. There is supportive visibility with African American males in the community (Johnson, 2006) that provides a sense of identity.…”

“…Spirituality acknowledges a higher power (Hall, 2001), and faith is based on the belief that God (higher power) is omnipresent and will protect the righteous that trust in Him. Hall (2001), suggested that spiritual attitudes shape the African American community's values, and Liberato et al (2008) reported that community provides a feeling of protection and connection. The spiritual activities (e.g., prayer) are considered the foundation of African Americans' faith (Utsey et al, 2007).…”