For a homework assignment we read a document by Daniel & Smitherman titled “How I Got Over”. In the reading it discussed the Traditional African World View and i found this intriguing because some of the traditional world views such as respect are also common black values represented throughout the world. For example respecting elders is a huge traditional African world view and common black value. Listening and not talking back to elders , doing what they say the first time and never referring to them by just their first name are some examples of common black values that derived from the traditional African world view. Also i found the call and response method interesting because in the reading the main example used was with the interaction between preachers and people in the church. By the preacher speaking a word ( which is a call) and the people in the church clapping or saying amen is their (response). I related the call and response method to more modern times in my life as well just to help myself get a clearer understanding. For example going to a concert and the performer singing or saying a statement is a call. While the audience shouting and cheering back , is a response. Also teachers use this method to help gather students attention in class. For example the teacher can say “1,2,3 all eyes on me” and the students will automatically know to stop doing what they are doing and to repeat “1,2,3 all eyes on you”. This helps regain focus and is a tactic used in elementary schools. The call and response method is a unique way to communicate verbally or non verbally to get a message across from senders to receivers. This form of communication is important because by responding to a message it demonstrates that you have a clear understanding of what was being said and what is going on. Overall It helps individuals learn more and be aware of what’s happening by being attentive and involved with peers in their society. The call and response method derived from traditional Africa has allowed people within then society to unite all at once when in certain places to stay connected.

https://youtu.be/AwK6C5jw_8o This a YouTube link created by The Fun Music Company Channel on YouTube to demonstrate the call and response method in a musical way through percussion ideas(clapping). This video can help readers get an understanding of how the call and response method demonstrates not only paying close attention but also how it helps everyone be on the same page(Unity).

This week in class we discussed the reading what has Africa given America , which i blogged about lash week. In class we discussed the food , entertainment and traditions over. Also is in class we made a poster for each group which demonstrated the Transatlantic slave trade. In class my group had to identify the regions where the slaves were being transported. With our research and interactive activity we were able to identify that the slaves were distributed to mainly South America , North America and the West Indies. We drew a poster of each continent and showed that the trade all originated from Europe. In further detail this week i have picked a part to focus on for my future class assignments with creating a timeline. I will focus on slaves getting traded to the West Indies. In particular i will pick either Barbados or Jamaica to focus on and do more research. I chose this topic because i wanted to explore and see the importance of sugar in the West Indies regions and the impact one ingredient has had on various people and regions. Overall we learned the importance of the African diaspora and how slaves were taken from their homeland and placed in other regions and uprooted for their normal lives. Learning where the trade originally started was vital to knowing the entire timeline and which regions were involved.

https://youtu.be/dnV_MTFEGIY (YouTube link for a video describing the overall summary of the slave Atlantic slave trade created by Crash Course)

” Africans and their descendants, contributed to the richness and fullness of American culture from it’s beginnings.” They have contributed in many various ways including food, health advancements and entertainment. These are just many examples of how Africa has established culture in America.

Many crops have came directly from Africa during the slave trade. For example crops consisting of rice, okra, tania, black-eyed peas, and kidney and Lima beans. Some other crops include peanuts , watermelon, yams and many more..

In more detail Black eye peas originated in the transatlantic slave trade which arrived in Jamaica in the 1600s. It spread throughout many west indies regions and made its way to Florida in the 1700s and the continue to spread through out the south of america. Next the first rice seeds were developed from women in Africa who were taught to cultivate rice and grow it properly. It originated from Madagascar. Africans have also introduced what we know as “Soul Food” to America with their techniques they brought from Africa. which included techniques of deep fat frying and this allowed the fat frying of chicken and beef to be preserved for a longer time. Also Africans contributed more to soul food by using body parts of animals, the whites saw as trash. They spiced and seasoned animal parts such as pig’s feet, ham hocks and pig’s intestines. This is how some of the most popular soul food dishes were developed. Pancakes and cornbread was developed by Africans preparing “fufu.” Which means to turn meal and flour. Throughout the development of the dish it eventually expanded to being a mix for making pancakes and cornbread with the ingredients. Okra arrived during the transatlantic slave trade in the 1600s. Okra is used for cuisines such as gumbo and is popular in the Louisiana area. Not only was okra used as food by the Africans it also was used as a medical advancement as well.

Okra was also used amongst women where it was used for lubrication for the uterine passage to help produce abortion. Other medical contributions included the development of vaccines for smallpox and cures for snake bites. A doctor by the name of Dr. Carter found that using rubbing peanut oil , helps muscles to rejuvenate. Africans have also used roots and herbs such to help with syphilis and yaws. The cure for yaws insisted of flowers of sulphur and burnt niccars. Their knowledge has allowed them to discover smallpox cure was done by taking a little bit of sap from the scalp and inoculating those who werent already exposed.

Lastly Africa has contributed to the American culture with childhood stories which are properly known as stories and folklore’s. Folklores and stories are used today now in time which is considered oral tradtion to pass down stories from generations to generations. Some popular stories such as Chicken Little and Brer Fox have become popular for children to remeber . Other entertainment contributions from Africa to American culture included musical instruments. Many instruments originated from Africa including banjos, drums, diddley bows, quilts and many more. Dance is another entertainment tradition originating from Africa. They expressed their love for their religion through the movement of dance. For example the circle dance is performance performed at important ceremonies such as birth ceremonies, marriage and more. BY doing this they celebrated life. Lastly a fun fact includes the popular dance called the Charleston originated from Africa.

Overall Africa has contributed to America in many important ways which helped develop the culture and quality of life we know today. Throughout the entire article i found it interesting of the develop of food, especially soul food. It was interesting because i never knew exactly how certain dishes came about. Hearing how the African people used the scraps of animal parts and adding spices and different ingredients to make it taste good was a very intriguing fact to learn about. My appreciation for the food is now different because the develop of the food from our ancestors took a lot of creativity to make the dishes that are so popular today.

In the writing Heritage by Countee Cullen it discusses Africa in a very descriptive perspective. For example in stanza 2 , 2 through 6. It states

“Want no sound except the song

Sung by wild barbaric birds

Goading massive jungle herds,

Juggernauts of flesh that pass Trampling tall defiant grass”

The choice of words such as massive , trampling tall and wild , all tells a story of the exotic animals that exist in Africa. This allows readers to have a visual of what the animals look like and sound like. This stanza creates images to help strengthen what is Africa. Africa is full of life with various species other than humans. It offers diversity levels to the enviornment.

The author uses alot of symbols to describe what Africa is to him. For example he states

Is my somber flesh and skin,

With the dark blood dammed within

Like great pulsing tides of wine

That, I fear, must burst the fine

Channels of the chafing net

Where they surge and foam and fret.

This shows a comparison of what Africa was during slavery time compared to the current time of how blacks are now developing in society during the time it was written. The symbol of “net” in this stanza is referred to the old times involving slavery. While “bursting the fine” shows how Africans were able to break free into society and begin to create their own story. Also he describes Africa as being a “book” and this allows readers to interpret Africa in their own way.

Africa? A book one thumbs

Listlessly, till slumber comes.

Countee Cullen uses alot of imagery to help bring positive attention to Africa. As mentioned before he is sharing the beauty of Africa and variety of what it offers. The line “When the bird Eden sang” emphasizes the garden of Eden , which is considered to be a very first garden and unique from others. This shows he see Africa as a piece of art and a beautiful place to experience with your own eyes

What is Africa to me:

Copper sun or scarlet sea,

Jungle star or jungle track,

Strong bronzed men, or regal black

Women from whose loins I sprang When the birds of Eden sang?

Overall with these examples throughout the text Africa to me is a beautiful homeland full of life. It is a place where many people have derived from and has a unique culture like no other. Africa to me is a place of home. The origin of my life and many of my peers as well. With Countee’s multiple descriptions of how beautiful Africa is , i have developed the same view through his various use of adjectives. It opened my eyes up not only about the external beauty Africa offers but the internal beauty as well. Africa to me is strength because many people there have faught many adversities as well. Africans were able to overcome their struggles and begin to build a better quality of life with whatever resources and people they had. Overall this demonstrates nothing but tenacity from our people

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

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