The Purnell’s Cultural Construct of the San Antonio, Texas African American Culture
James Goggans
Trident University
Instructor: Dr. Maria Luque
MHS502
15 May 2022
The Purnell’s Cultural Construct of the San Antoni, Texas African American Culture
The African American population in San Antonio, Texas, is significant to founding the city and its community. The community has been part of the greater history of San Antonio since 1800. They have a distinct heritage, origin, communication style, and manner of doing this, which makes them distinct from the other communities in San Antonio
Heritage Overview
Origin
Most San Antonio African Americans originated from Sub-Saharan Africa. Most of them are descendants of the people brought to America as enslaved people between the 17th and 19th centuries (King, 2020). They initially came into the US as enslaved people and later revolted before getting recognition as one of the American races.
Residence
The community lives in San Antonio, Texas. Most of them reside in the near-Eastside of San Antonio, close to the sunset station, which is recognized as the center of black life.
Topography
The city has a gently rolling terrain dotted with oak trees, mesquite, forested land, and cacti. The altitude of the place is approximately 662 feet above sea level.
Economics
The labor of African Americans has been foundational and significant to the growth of the area’s economy. The blacks here own businesses that play a significant role in the region’s economy. Today, San Antonio African Americans significantly contribute across all industries, including agriculture and service. However, the san Antonio black community continues to face economic challenges, including less access to wealth and economic opportunities.
Politics
San Antonio African Americans have made significant strides in American politics. The community has produced some of the most influential leaders, including the Sutton and Bellinger families. Political leaders have also shaped the community’s well-being by providing better access to resources such as water, light, and street paving.
Education
The educational status among African Americans in San Antonio is a witness of continuous achievement and disparities in the US. The number of African Americans who have studied to advanced levels and got good jobs increased. In 2016, a study revealed that the number of Blacks aged 25 or older who attained a bachelor’s or associate degree has risen significantly since 1996. However, there are disparities in terms of the nature of schools, and they also face discrimination in schools. The black community dominates the student bodies in San Antonio.
Occupation
San Antonio African American workers are employed in various sectors and contribute significantly to the country’s economy. According to research, most of the members of this community occupy office and administrative positions (Pedulla & Pager, 2019). Other occupations with many blacks include sales, transportation, management, food preparation, and related professions.
Communication
Dominant Language
The dominant language among San Antonio African Americans is African American English (Ebonics). The umbrella term refers to the varieties of English that people of African origin speak in the US.
Dialects
There are seven main dialects associated with San Antonio African Americans: African-American vernacular English, Standard English, Appalachian English, Outer Banks English, Nova Scotian English, Older Africa-American English, and Gullah. The dialects vary linguistically, generationally, stylistically, geographically, and other factors.
Contextual Use
The context or setting plays a significant role in deriving the meaning of words used by African Americans. Some words can only make sense if one understands the context, and other words can be used in one context and not the other.
Volume/Tone
The good pattern among African Americans English contains variations in pitch and volume. Their voices can range from very loud and deep to very quiet. The correctness of the volume and tone depends on the speaking situation.
Spatial Distancing
San Antonio Texas’ African Americans are comfortable speaking with less distance. For this reason, African Americans may not keep a distance between themselves and the people they are speaking with because they do not mind getting close. African American children also tend to stand closer to each other when talking than whites.
Eye Contact
San Antonio African Americans are believed to make more frequent eye contact when speaking than listening. Their failure to maintain eye contact when listening has led to being labeled resistant or less interested. The overall amount or length of eye contact is not different from the dominant cultures.
Facial Expressions
San Antonio African Americans exhibit all the basic facial expressions. They tend to smile more, and Whites may have difficulties telling when they are smiling genuinely and faking.
Greetings
San Antonio African Americans have several ways of greeting each other. They may nod, grip, or give a dap, especially for males. The up nod is usually used to let the other person know you have seen them, and a grip is used to show a closer connection. Females may shake their hands or hug, depending on the closeness.
Temporality
San Antonio African Americans are present-oriented and are more likely to take short-term measures. Studies indicate that these African Americans perceive them as less susceptible to future consequences and take short-term measures (Purnell & Fenkl, 2019). In healthcare, it is revealed that African Americans are present-oriented regarding the daily management of hypertension.
Time
African Americans may keep time, but they are associated with smaller phase delays than whites. For this reason, they are more likely to delay a meeting. Researchers attribute this to the relationship-oriented nature of African Americans, which makes them more relaxed on this issue. When others are angry for being late, an African American is likely to be puzzled.
Names
Most San Antonio African Americans use common names with the wider American culture. Most of the names are derived from the Bible. Other names have Arabic, French, European, or Muslim origins. Most individuals have an English name that is usually given at birth and a second name that is more intimate.
Touch
San Antonio African Americans embrace touch and other forms of physical contact. Friends and family members may hug and kiss each other on the cheek. Colleagues may hug, but it depends on the connectedness between parties. In formal settings, handshakes are more preferred than hugs.
Family Roles and Organizational Construct
Head of Household
The woman, the mother, heads most African American families in San Antonio, Texas. However, a significant number of households are also headed by men. Over time, the community has embraced women as providers, unlike in the past, when even the media could not portray a San Antonio black woman as a provider.
Gender Roles
There is controversial information about gender roles in San Antonio’s African American culture. However, most studies indicate that African American women are more masculine and possess masculine traits. They are documented to be stronger, more independent, and reliable (Noel, 2018). On the other hand, African American men are said to be weaker and more emotional. In terms of occupation, there is a thin line between male and female roles, and the same applies to house duties. Black women in San Antonio have fought for policies that reflect their roles as providers and are not just meant for the kitchen.
Goals and Priorities
San Antonio African Americans live for different goals and priorities, including religion, family, and career. Depending on individuals, people may devote most of their time to what they believe is a priority.
Developmental Tasks
San Antonio African Americans have shown to respect stages of life and have the desire to be able to do certain things at a certain age. They believe there are developmental tasks for adolescents, adults, and even the aged. People also experience developmental crises as they try to adapt to new tasks. For example, African American female adolescents struggle with gender and racial identity development at this stage (Leath et al., 2019).
Roles of aged
San Antonio African Americans value aged people and believe their wisdom contributes to the well-being of society. Older people also guide raising children and other important issues. They are a valuable source of knowledge to the younger generation too.
Extended Family
Extended family members are recognized, and aunts, uncles, nephews, and others have an immense responsibility in families. The impact of the extended family is more significant in single-parent families because members of the extended family have to ensure that the children and parents are healthy and okay.
Social Status
Although San Antonio African Americans dominate the area, they still hold low social status. The pretax income is low among San Antonio African Americans compared to other communities in the region.
Alternative Lifestyles
San Antonio African Americans are quite flexible and easily adapt to the alternative lifestyle in health and social matters. A lot has changed over the past decades, and San Antonio African Americans no longer live as enslaved people. Today, they have embraced the freedom to move to places they want, leave the normal sexual orientation, diet, family relations, and so on.
Workforce issues construct
Acculturation
San Antonio African Americans report higher segregation demands compared to other ethnic groups. They are significantly discriminated against and experience overall negative acculturation conditions. They also experience higher levels of work-related stress due to harsh environmental conditions at the workplace. However, most San Antonio African Americans use assimilation as an acculturation strategy, which often fails due to lack of support.
Autonomy
San Antonio African Americans show some level of autonomy which has become less significant over time. For example, they would only consume products that have been produced by themselves. African Americans also organized and implemented a series of rebellious activities to fight back the racial segregation from Americans, considering they underwent suffering, deprivation, and injustice. However, they have embraced the American culture, and their autonomy has been reduced.
Language Barriers
Language is a significant barrier holding African Americans in San Antonio. A culture that values standard English may not be favorable for blacks who speak African English variations. Language is a significant barrier in healthcare that makes access to healthcare a difficult task among San Antonio African Americans.
Biocultural Ecology
Biological Variations
San Antonio Americans exhibit genetic diversity, which results from demographic histories such as changes in the size of the population and environment. The common biological variations among the population include different levels of susceptibility to diseases, response to drugs, and even skin tone.
Skin Color
San Antonio African Americans have dark and light skin tones depending on genes and other factors. Research shows that African Americans with a light skin tone are preferred and treated better because they are closer to whites than those with a dark skin tone. Their color is also used for identity, and African Americans living in San Antonio have learned to be color-conscious to respond to the negative color reactions in social settings.
Heredity
The culture of San Antonio African Americans is rooted in the blend between European culture and the African cultures of central and west Africa. The culture, however, has been influenced by the American south and other environmental changes.
Genetics
Self-reported genetic ancestry shows that 0.85 have native ancestry, 24.0% have European Ancestry, and 73.2% have African ancestry (Abuabara et al., 2020). Studies also indicate that most of the community members have genetic roots in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.
Ecology
San Antonio African Americans value the environment and care about climate change. They are more vulnerable to harsh environmental conditions, so they make efforts to keep the environment as safe as possible. They also belong to environmental groups, but their environmental interests have been omitted.
Pregnancy Construct
Fertility Practices
African Americans in San Antonio are twice as likely to have fertility issues than whites. African Americans consider infertility a taboo issue and do not discuss it openly (Scott et al., 2019). They are also less likely to seek fertility treatment. The obstacles to medical attention, such as structural poverty and cultural beliefs, make the situation worse for San Antonio African Americans.
Views toward Pregnancy
The community considers pregnancy as a significant healthcare and community aspect. Pregnant women seek high-quality prenatal care for the well-being of the mother and the baby. They respond to pregnancy in the best way possible and consider the satisfaction of themselves and the baby.
Pregnancy beliefs
A section of San Antonio African American women believes some foods are harmful to the baby and may not eat them during pregnancy. They may also avoid moving so much and change their daily routine.
Birthing
African American families in San Antonio significantly prepare for birthing and take necessary emotional, physical, and financial preparations. However, research shows that they do not receive high-quality maternal care like their white counterparts (Assari, 2018). African American women are easily dismissed and ignored when they are in labor, which often leads to the death of the mother or the child.
Postpartum
Child-rearing is considered a communal activity among African American families. Children are also considered of central importance in the community and are given maximum attention. African American women in San Antonio are more likely to experience postpartum depression compared to whites. They are also more vulnerable to maternal death.
Nutritional Construct
Meaning of food
Food is not just a nutrition element buts a cultural identity and a catalyst for African Americans in San Antonio to connect to their values. Food brings people together and helps them fellowship beyond bloodline relatives. Food always connects the community to the solidarity of enslaved ancestors.
Common foods
The typical food amongst San Antonio African American families includes sweet potato fries and gravy, red beans and rice, homemade macaroni and cheese, seasoned vegetables, fried chicken, and puffy tacos. These foods may not be considered healthy, but they are exciting and warm the hearts of many African Americans.
Rituals
San Antonio African Americans prepare traditional cuisines that embody cultural legacies, making most of their meals flavorful and rich. Most eat three times a day, but lunch and dinner are the most basic meals. In most families, people pray before they eat. They are also required to serve or arrange plates and food in a specific order. Most foods are associated with drinks, The type of food prepared in an event depends on the nature of the event and the guests.
Deficiencies
Vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent among African Americans in San Antonio compared to other ethnic groups. Most young and healthy San Antonio African Americans fail to attain optimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration throughout the year (Ames et al., 2021).
Limitations
Most members of this ethnic group fall short of recommended dietary allowances for Vitamin B-6, Vitamin E, Zinc, and Magnesium. The community also obtains 355 calories from fat and gets 12% from saturated fat. Most of their foods also expose them to lifestyle diseases such as obesity.
Health Promotion
Health promotion activities appear to be modestly working in the African American population in San Antonio. Research shows that African Americans in San Antonio suffer health disparities that increase their vulnerability to disease and death. Culturally appropriate interventions are necessary for closing these gaps and enhancing the outcomes. Health promotional materials and approaches must be culturally appropriate for effective outcomes.
High-Risk Behaviors
Tobacco-Tobacco use is a significant contributor to death among African Americans in San Antonio. African American youth and young adults are significant smokers in the region, although the prevalence is lower than whites and Hispanics. However, San Antonio African American children are more vulnerable to secondhand smoke than all other ethnic groups and generally have higher cotinine levels than non-smokers of other races.
Alcohol-San Antonio African Americans engage in risky alcohol consumption behaviors compared to other ethnic communities. Research shows that excessive alcohol consumption among younger adults enhances their vulnerabilities to irresponsible sexual behavior (Mertzger et al., 2018), increasing their chances of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and infections.
Recreational Drugs
African Americans are overrepresented in substance abuse and recreational drugs in San Antonio, Texas. For example, 6.9% of African Americans have substance abuse disorder compared to 7.4% of the total population in Texas. In terms of illicit drug disorder, 3.4% of African Americans have the disorder compared to 3% of the total population. It is also reported that the community does not always receive rehabilitation treatment when they need it.
Physical Activity
African Americans in San Antonio are less active in physical activities compared to whites. Although physical activity participation has improved slightly, participation is still low and decreases with age. The range of black youth engaging in physical activities ranges from 33% to 52%, while that of black adults ranges between 27% to 52%. Due to their less engagement in physical activity, San Antonio African Americans are highly vulnerable to lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Their less engagement in physical activities is also attributed to weather concerns, safety concerns, and lack of facilities such as sidewalks.
Safety
San Antonio African American adults are less likely to report that they feel safe. In healthcare, they distrust healthcare quality and consider alternative healthcare options in illness. About half of the population also report feeling safe when walking alone at night. Due to many dears that may result from discrimination, African Americans take all precautionary measures to maintain their safety.
Death Rituals
Death is a significant rite of passage among African Americans in San Antonio that prepares the deceased’s spirit for the next realm of life. The community prepares well the body of the deceased in preparation for burial. San Antonio African Americans dress their loved ones respectfully, as an important part of the death rituals. They also wash the body, dress it, and groom the hair (Roberson et al., 2018). The funeral service is taken seriously and can be postponed to ensure all close members attend. It is common to decorate the coffin and the grave.
Bereavement
Flower girls pay special attention to grieving family members. Nurses may be around to help mourners who may be overwhelmed. San Antonio Africa Americans extend their helping hand to close family members during bereavement. Family members, however, get comfort from the belief that their loved ones are in a safe place and are watching over them.
Spirituality Construct
Religious practices-Christianity is the predominant religion among African Americans in San Antonio, Texas. Christianity is a vibrant spiritual and institutional force that African Americans hold dearly. Some religious practices include attending religious services, taking your official roles, reading religious books like the Bible, watching religious programs on TV and listening to the radio, and praying at individual and group levels.
Use of prayer-Prayer is an essential aspect of spiritual and religious fulfillment. Prayer is a ritualistic behavior among African Americans, and they do it often at an individual, family, or even congregation levels. Prayer is used to thank God, change the outcomes of difficult situations, and seek forgiveness. African Americans in San Antonio reported that they experience positive emotions when they pray.
Meaning of life-San Antonio African Americans believes that God is the source of life and that human beings were created with a purpose. Therefore, they adhere to a system of religious beliefs as they find meaning in their lives. African Americans also link religiosity to well-being and believe they cannot live well without integrating religion and spirituality in their lives. They also perceive religion as a source of help in adversity in their lives.
Individual strength
The community believes in individual strength, which comes from God. They read the Bible and get inspiration from religious stories to get strength. When they face difficulties, they turn to the church for strength.
Spirituality and Health
The community considers the church and spirituality a significant source of hope during illness. When feeling unwell, a lack American uses spirituality to feel the inner strength, resulting in faster recovery. Spirituality is directly linked to patient outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and the quality of life. Patients battling chronic illnesses resort to the church and faith, where they find solace and hope (Holt et al., 2018). Integrating spirituality with medication and therapy is also believed to improve healthcare outcomes.
Healthcare Practices Construct
Focus on healthcare
A significant population of San Antonio African Americans prioritize healthcare and take necessary measures when they fall sick or when they need any health care attention. However, they are less likely to take insurance covers compared to whites. African Americans in San Antonio also reportedly have higher chances of non-adherence and poor health activities, such as less engagement in physical activities.
Traditional practices
The medical belief system among San Antonio African Americans reflects their economic and social marginality in the US healthcare system. African Americans in San Antonio commonly rely on home remedies to manage their health issues. The remedies are usually made from plants, herbs, mineral substances, and animals (Odonkor et al., 2021). Their choice of traditional practices is based on their culture, which is deeply rooted in Africanism, and their confidence in traditional medicine.
Core Religious Beliefs
Religion plays a significant role in different facets of the life of a San Antonio African American, including their health. The community also associates spirituality with positive health outcomes. They believe that as much as access to health care is important, they believe that healing comes from God. When sick, the majority of African Americans in San Antonio turned to God, praying for longer life, healing, coping skills, and peace.
Responsibility for Health
The responsibility of health is attributed to self and to God. Most San Antonio African Americans believe that their actions and choices play a significant role in their health status. Healthy choices enhance the health status and vice versa. They also believe that God is the protector of health and may choose to inflict one with pain or sickness for reasons such as to remind them about spirituality.
Transplantation
African Americans in San Antonio are less likely to consider organ transplants because of mistrust in the healthcare system, attitudes about transplantation, and limited knowledge. According to research, the community has limited knowledge about organ transplants which lowers their chances of considering the process (Badar et al., 2021). They also do not trust the healthcare system and remain pessimistic about the outcomes, making them reluctant.
Rehabilitation/Chronicity
African Americans in San Antonio, compared to their white counterparts, are less likely to use rehabilitation services. There are cultural norms that make the community reluctant to seek therapy, and even when they have been referred from other facilities, they are reluctant to go for rehabilitation. When injured, African Americans in San Antonio are less likely to consider therapy and follow-up care which increases their chances of dying and developing disabilities.
Self-Medication
African Americans in San Antonio are associated with self-medicating, which is reportedly rooted in personal, family, and cultural beliefs. For example, some individuals believe certain alcohol relieves one from stress or pain. Therefore, instead of seeking medical attention, they choose to self-medicate on personal terms.
Pain/Sick role
African Americans in San Antonio report higher levels of clinical pain and are more vulnerable to disability resulting from pain. Research also shows that San Antonio African Americans are less tolerant of pain. However, the community embraces the pain as part of life and that pain and sickness are set to test people’s strength. They believe in individual strength, medication, and reliance on God as the best relievers of pain.
Mental health
African Americans in San Antonio record significant rates of mental health illnesses. As much as the prevalence of mental illnesses among San Antonio African Americans is lower compared to other minorities, there are significant barriers to proper treatment. First, they associate mental health with cultural factors which hinder them from seeking medical attention, and in some cases, they do not get diagnosed (Baker et al., 2020). Poverty levels also affect their mental health status and are also a significant barrier to accessing mental health care such as therapy.
Barriers
Despite efforts to address the healthcare barriers in the US, African Americans in San Antonio still experience barriers to healthcare which mainly stem from a lack of awareness about health issues. The community is also disadvantaged in terms of cost, as a significant population lacks enough income that can facilitate their access to proper healthcare. There is also fear of some processes, such as transplantation, that makes them more vulnerable. Lastly, San Antonio African Americans do not trust the health care system, which is a significant barrier to accessing proper healthcare.
HealthCare Practices Construct
Perception of Practitioners
Research shows that African Americans in San Antonio have experienced healthcare discrimination and disparities, subjecting them to health difficulties and poor outcomes. San Antonio African Americans lack trust in healthcare providers, posing that they do not offer them culturally competent care. They further report that they experience poor communication with white nurses and clinicians who end up misdiagnosing them and giving ineffective treatment plans. They also perceive that the discrimination is based on ethnocentrism, which leads to practitioners treating members of this community as inferior.
Folk Practitioners
A section of Black Americans in San Antonio believes in folk medicine and maintain confidence that nurses should recognize folk medicine even as they administer modern medicine (Cherry et al., 2020). For example, some San Antonio African Americans used aspirin as a painkiller for the development of quinine. Researchers reveal that some folk medicine was effective, and African Americans in San Antonio hold to those options dearly.
Gender and Health
The system has healthcare disparities, but research shows that San Antonio African American women are more affected than men. Black women in San Antonio report worse healthcare outcomes than men, which is attributed to limited social support, poor income levels, differences in occupation, and low education levels attained. Women are also prone to physiological factors such as reproductive changes that result from birthing and chronic health complications.
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