Running head: CULTURAL IMMERSION

Cultural Immersion Project

Crystal Dozier-Fairchild
Wilmington University

CULTURAL iMMERSION

Population Served by My Agency

The agency serves youth between the ages of 12 and 17. Social class, race, and ethnicity are the
agencies focus.
Population Selected for Cultural Immersion
The population I selected for my Cultural Immersion project is young adult African American
males between the ages of 18 and 25.
Populations History and Major Milestones
Origins
Most African Americans are descendants of black slaves that were brought to and held
captive in America. From 1555 to 1865, Caribbeans whose ancestors immigrated or who
immigrated to the United States also have considered African American, because they share West
African or Central African roots, the Middle passage, and slavery. African Americans have been
known by various names throughout history. The terms mulato and colored where used until the
beginning of the 20th century. Then by 1940, the term Negro was used. By the 1980s the term
African American was adopted to give decedents of American slaves and other American blacks
who lived through the slavery era a cultural identity. Currently this group is defined as African
American and black.
Societal Influence in History
Past themes about African-Americans began to well up in the face of the perceived threat.
Beliefs that blacks were "mentally inferior, physically and culturally unevolved, and apelike in

CULTURAL iMMERSION

appearance" The racial stereotypes of early American history had a significant role in shaping
attitudes toward African-American males during that time. Images of the Sambo, Jim Crow, and
the Savage may not be as powerful today, yet they are still alive.

Milestones

1619-

White European
settlers turned
Rise of the cotton
Africans as a
industry
labor source

Tobacco
became
obsolete.
invention of
cotton gin
legitimized
slavery

1831

Nat Turner created

fear with the most
successful slave
revolt in U.S.
history

1857

Verdict declared
Missouri
John Browns raid
Compromise
unconstitutional
justice for the
slave system

Symbolized
injustice of
slavery

1861

Union won
Civil war and
slaves were
free.

1865

Reconstruction
13th, 14th, and
Separate but
15th amendment equal
Sharecropping
Compromise of
1877

Jim Crow laws

established

1900

Influential
advocates
focusing on
education
instead of
segregation and
civil rights

Slavery
comes to
North
America

Dred Scott
case

Post slavery

1793

1859

1896

Nat Turners
revolt

Civil war and

Emancipation

Washington,
Carver, and Du
Bois

CULTURAL iMMERSION

1909

NAACP

1941WWII

National
Association for
Marcus Garvey
the Advancement
Of Colored
People founded
by Du Bois

Black males
fought in
segregated
units

1916

Founded
Universal Negro
Improvement
Association
Back to Africa
movement

1947-

1st African
Verdict reversed
American to play
separate but equal
Brown vs. Board
on a major league of Education
team

Jackie Robinson

1920

Harlem
Renaissance

Celebration of
African American
literature and fine
arts.

1954

1955

14 year old black

male shot and
Central High
killed in
Integration
Mississippi
fueling the Civil
Rights Movement

Little Rock nine.

Ernest Green was
Sit in
the 1st black
Movements
male to graduate
from an all-white
high school

Organized
resistance created
momentum

1961

Through direct
action end
Integration of Ole
discrimination
Miss
and improve race
relations

James Meredith
1st black male to
I Have a
integrate an all- Dream
white university.

The largest
demonstration on
the capital.
Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr.

Emmett Till

Freedom
Rides

1957

1962

1960

1963

CULTURAL iMMERSION

1964

Civil Rights
ActMississippi
Burning

1968

MLK killed

Equal
Employment
Opportunity

Killed by Nation
of Islam. His
Malcolm X killed
death fueled the
Rise of Black
Black Power
Power
Major civil rights
Movement
victory

Black Panther
Party

Killed by a white
man.
Affirmative
Discouraged
Action
black males in
their struggle for
civil rights

Worked closely
with MLK was
influential in
advocating for
black community

1965

1978

2009
Barack
Obama

1St black
president of the
U.S.A

Racial playing
field that
promotes
diversity in the
workplace.

1984

Jesse Jackson

Thurgood
Marshall 1st black
male on Supreme
Court

1995

Hundreds of
thousands of
Colin Powell
black men
gathered to
promote spiritual
renewal

1st black male to

hold joint chief of
staff position

2012

Unarmed 17 year
old shot to death
in his
Ferguson/
neighborhood.

Unrest prompted
by killings of
black males by
police officers

Rodney King
severely beat by
South
Million Man
Central Riots LAPD sparked March
one of the largest
riots in U.S.
history

1992

19661967

Shooting of
Trayvon Martin

2001

20142015

Baltimore Riots

CULTURAL iMMERSION

Immersion Experiences
Biography
Book Selected: The Emmett Till Book
Author: Sarah Klopfer, 2005 Lulu, Raleigh NC
The Emmett Till Book gives a unique prospective at Mississippi's secret government
agencies and its private white Citizens Councils that spied and did harm to those who fought
segregation. Emmett Louis Till was a 14-year-old Chicago boy who visited relatives in Money,
Mississippi, in the summer of 1955. A careless comment made to a white woman in the store cost
Till his life when two white men beat and killed him for his remarks. Till was sent by his mother
Mamie Till to visit his great-uncle Moses Wright. Till's mother explained to her son that life was
different for African-Americans in the South. She told her son to obey his relatives and to do
whatever a white person asked him to do, with no complaints. Till and his cousin, Curtis Jones,
were in the general store in Money, Mississippi. On a dare, Till went into the store and spoke to a
white woman in the store. He went in to buy candy and on his way out he said, "Bye, baby." It
did not seem a serious offense until later that week, when two white men; Roy Bryant, the
husband of the woman that Till spoke to and his half-brother, J. W. Milam kidnapped the young
boy. His body was found a week later in the Tallahatchie River. He had been beaten, mutilated,
shot, and a cotton gin fan had been tied to his neck with barbed wire. Bryant and Milam faced
kidnapping and murder charges. In spite of eyewitness testimony at trial, including Moses Wright
identifying both men as those who took his great-nephew away, the male, all-white jury after
deliberating for one hour found both men not guilty. Bryant and Milam admitted to kidnapping

CULTURAL iMMERSION

Till. They said they did not intend to kill Till at first. They drove him around for three hours,
trying to scare him. Milam, admitted to firing the shot that killed Till.
Film
Menace II Society
Hughes Brothers, 1993
Menace II Society traces the lives of a group of friends in the chaotic environment of
Watts. The story revolves around the anti-hero Caine, a small time drug dealer, who was raised
by his religious grandparents because his mother died of a heroin overdose and his father was
killed in a drug deal when Caine was a young child.
The film starts with Caine and his closest friend O-Dog attempting to purchase some malt
liquor at a convenience store. As soon as they enter the store, the owners have the young black
men under surveillance, fearful of their possible intentions. Resentful of the Korean store owners'
perceptions, O-Dog quickly escalates into violence upon hearing the owner state, "I feel sorry for
your mother." The film then suggests that the current circumstances of the Watts community can
be traced to the riots of 1965. By tying the community's current social problems, such as drugs
and violence, to the systematic oppression derived from white America's vision of law and order
in the 1960's. While oppression and isolation from the dominant society appears to be the theme
for the current misfortunes of African-American violence. Peer influence is depicted as the
driving force in the shaping of the young black man's destiny. Furthermore, by having selfdestructive behaviors impressed upon them at such an early age, these young men are guided
onto paths condemned by society.

CULTURAL iMMERSION

Direct Cultural Event

November 17, 2015
Y ME Speaking Event
I attended an event sponsored by the Yme program held at Mc Kean High School. The
program works with the Red Clay Consolidated School District to provide guest speakers from
the community. Sam Kinard, who is a sales/marketing director at Hilton, was the speaker at the
event. Mr. Kinard is a native of Philadelphia and spoke to the young men about personal
experiences. He explained to them about his life as a youth and how his son who is currently
incarcerated. He shares his story by first asking the question, What does it mean to be a snitch?
The group of young men immediately became aroused. One guy stated, A snitch is a snitch,
someone that goes around telling. Mr. Kinard laughs and says no, a snitch is someone that
agrees to conduct violet acts but then doesnt accept accountability for their role, instead he tells
on you to save himself. But then he further explains that if your friend comes to pick you up and
decides to rob a liquor store and you have no ideal of the incident. Lets say you have a wife, two
kids and a great job what would you do? The crowd of kids grew silent and then a young man
states, I would tell the truth and another young man says, thats snitching. Then he wraps up his
speech by sharing what happened to his son. He tells the crowd that his son was 19 and attended
Delaware State. On a visit home for the holidays his son picked up his friend to drop him off, on
the way to the destination they were pulled over and a gun was found under the passenger seat.
The police ask who did it belong to and his son, said that he didnt know and so did his friend.
The gun came back to have been used in a murder and robbery. Mr. Kinards son is currently
incarcerated for the offense of the possession of the weapon because it was in his vehicle. He is

CULTURAL iMMERSION

currently serving 5 years in Gander Hill. The message was clear far reaching to the youth in
attendance. I think it cleared up a lot of misconceptions about the term snitching.
Personal Interview
November 6, 2015
Taylor Maddrake
During the last 10 years, young African-American males are more likely to be murdered,
drop out of school, or become unemployed. Today, young black males have a difficult time
becoming successful in life. The mortality rates of young black males are the highest compared
to their white peers and other minorities. According to the Bureau Labor of Statistics, black
teenagers are 37 percent more likely to die of deadly violence than Hispanic and white teenagers.
Compared with 47.1 percent for Hispanic and white teenagers, the death rate for black teenagers
is 65.5 deaths per 100,000 people. Additionally, homicide is proven to be the leading cause of
death for black male teenagers.
An exception to these negative statistics is high school senior Taylor Maddrake.
Maddrake, 18, is on track to attend a four-year university. Young black males similar to
Maddrake are among those striving to turn these statistics around. In a recent interview,
Maddrake revealed his thoughts and perceptions of young black males such as himself possibly
being an endangered species. I dont feel as though young black males are an endangered
species. Some of us have had progress while others lack the motivation. I know that in order to
live and lead a successful life I must apply what Ive been taught to do, which is being
responsible and demonstrating character, said Maddrake. He said growing up in a poverty
stricken, high crime neighborhood can take a toll on a black teenagers chance for success in

CULTURAL iMMERSION

10

school and in life. Growing up in better neighborhoods, I didnt have to deal with the issues of
violence and poverty facing kids in Wilmington. I was lucky enough to not have to witness the
murder and violence, nor be a witness to it growing up in the environment my parents provided.
Maddrake, who is still deciding on which college to attend, said that if education is stressed in
your household, as it was in his home, then more young black males will understand the
importance of earning an education. Along with the support of family, the influence of positive
peers makes a difference as well. The environment most students grow up in often affects their
progress.
Summary
Throughout history, African-American young men fall victim to many challenges society.
This is not a good situation for African-American males considering the many problems AfricanAmerican people had to endure here in the United States. Everyone talks about solutions to crime
and other issues plaguing the African-American male population, but the question remains are
we paying any attention to the vast majority of African-American males who are being
challenged in almost every category of survival. The example provided in the personal interview
proves that there are several African-American males finishing college and leading very
productive lives. Leaders should take a serious look at trying to help young African-American
males deal with society and overcome adversity without falling victim to the many constraints.

Application of Cultural Knowledge

Assessing the Agency
Name of Field Placement Agency: Duffys Hope

CULTURAL iMMERSION

11

Address of Agency: Community Service Building, 100 West 10th St Suite 9

Wilmington, DE 19801
Agencys Community:
The agency is located in the Community Service Building in downtown Wilmington. It is
within proximity of the public library and Rodney Square. The agency is located next to two
banks Wells Fargo and TD bank are within walking distance. The YMCA is also nearby. The feel
of the neighborhood surrounding the agency is somewhat professional. Young black men are not
working in the agencies neighborhood. However, I have witnessed the selected population
walking to and from school or to public transportation. Concluding that young black males live
nearby the agencies neighborhood.
Access:
Map of area

The agency is located in the basement of the Community Service Building. There are no walk ins
at the agency. Those that access information are obtained through word of mouth.

CULTURAL iMMERSION

12

Receptivity
Upon walking into the building, security greets visitors at the door. You have to sign in
and state your destination. As a member of the selected population, I wouldnt feel comfortable
or welcomed. The brochures and pictures are relatable to the selected population but the initial
response would definitely make my selected population feel threatened and out of place.
Administration and Staff Training
From my personal experience, I have not met young African American male employees in any
role.

Funding
Agency funding allows for cultural program variations. The Phoenix Curriculum allows for
additional services and outreach that could provide cultural variations for my selected
population.
Staff Sensitivity
I feel that the agency is sensitive to the needs of the selected population. The CEO is a black
male and is able to relate to the populations needs.
Agency Programs and Services
Effort
Through collaborative efforts from members such as AIDS Delaware, the agency makes an effort
to reach out to your populations community. The agency has not made an effort, as it relates to

CULTURAL iMMERSION

13

the implementation in program design, utilization, and administration. Therefore, members of

the agency are not active at this stage of input to develop culturally sensitive services.
Quality
There is currently no measurement established for cultural competency and sensitivity to
the selected population. Services offered are tailored specifically to the youth served and doesnt
expand to young adult African American males. The agency could enhance their population by
expanding their outlook beyond the age of 17 and focus on the differences impacting black males
ages 18 to 25.
Effectiveness
Members of my population are not being served through the agency. I understand that
supports are limited to my selected population. Members of the population feel that resources are
not available from the perspective of intervention or prevention.
Efficiency
The agency collaborates with numerous programs that address population needs. Some referral
sources that I am aware of are AIDS Delaware, Delaware Prevention Coalition, and YMCA.
Personal Cultural Competencies
Engagement, Trust, and Relationship Building
To build a good relationship with my population its important to show respect at all
times. This is important to give eye contact but not to the point of staring. Also, dont address on
first name basis unless asked to do so.
Assessment and Problem Definition

CULTURAL iMMERSION

14

I would focus on accountability and communication as a means to define and address problems
and challenges. I would utilize a dynamic approach in the assessment process. This approach
usually provides a more abstract view of the challenges without directly addressing them.
Contracting and Goal Setting
1. To become a cultural competent organization that met the needs of young adult black
males
2. To develop cultural competency skills that will meet the challenges of my clients
3. Create a cultural competent culture that helps produce applicable tools
Conduct a needs assessment to determine the challenge and scope of the target

population
Attend training centered upon cultural competence
Perform a case study with an organization that currently serves the population in
the Wilmington area

Interventions
Appropriate
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Create a young adult male summit

Empowerment
Kinship mentorship program
A young black male retreat
Promote community support and church involvement

Inappropriate
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Incorporating family dynamics

Creating intervention program
Creating prevention program
A program that concentrates on political views
Programs that doesnt concentrate on individualism

CULTURAL iMMERSION

15

Evaluation: Members of my population are dependent on strong family ad religious bonds. The
population also value work ethic. I would evaluate the outcomes in the community in which they
live and work to measure program success or failure.
Termination: Assist the client in understanding the counseling process. It is important not to
disclose facts right away, but in subsequent layers as they feel more comfortable and trusting.
Important details will be left out of stories and responses until later sessions. Termination
process must happen gradually.
NASW Standards for Cultural Competence
Standards
Empowerment and Advocacy: Social Workers must be aware of the effect of policies and
programs on diverse client populations. Advocate for and with clients when appropriate
Agency
The field placement agency does not practice the standard selected. The organization advocates
for the clients served but are not aware of polices ad programs impacting diverse populations.
Program and Services: The program and services practice the standard selected but only as a
third party collaborative effort
Personal Cultural Competencies: I selected this standard because I value empowerment and
advocacy that promote the success of the young today. I personally felt this competence
standards the most personally.
Final Thoughts

CULTURAL iMMERSION

16

The immersion project was very enlightening and provided me with a sense of
understanding in the challenges facing young black males. The positive images and attributes
with which black males are associated tend to be constrained to sports and music. More
important dimensions of the selected population are largely ignored in society. Strong families,
religious institutions, and neighborhood organizations are recognized as essential for a positive
neighborhood culture and social norms. These characteristics enhance outcomes in the human
service practice.

References
Black History Milestones. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2015, from
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-milestones
Bureau of Labor Statistics. http://www.bls.gov/
Klopfer, M. (2005). The Emmett Till book (2nd ed.).
Menace II Society [Motion picture]. (1993).
National Association of Social Workers. Standards of Cutural Competency.