This paper re-conceptualizes the theory of ambiguous loss to engage historical and contemporary r... more This paper re-conceptualizes the theory of ambiguous loss to engage historical and contemporary realties of African American women’s lived experiences. Ambiguous Loss theory suggests that a family member can be emotionally or psychologically present but physically absent or physically present but psychologically absent. The paper asserts that African American women always have lived with ambiguity and suggests reclaiming tenets of the theory. As a case study, the paper uses the lives of women in Ava DuVerney’s Queen Sugar and lyrics of the series’ theme song to explore the dilemma of expected ways of being (“keep the color in the line”) alongside desire (“dreams never dying”) and hopes (“taking flight”). The paper encourages African American women to pursue healing while living the mystery while unapologetically reclaiming and reframing what it means to live with ambiguity. It proposes a model of care that centralizes spirit and spirit work, rituals and music and dance, radical soci...
This discussion identifies the prevalence, correlates, and adverse consequences of alcohol and ot... more This discussion identifies the prevalence, correlates, and adverse consequences of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) used by African Americans, with a special focus on African American women. Efforts to prevent substance use and abuse and the nature and effec-tiveness of treatment are also addressed. Several complex issues and limitations that relate to African American AOD prevention and treatment are addressed, including the following: inappropriate research methodologies, the paucity of culturally competent research teams, and the misinformed assumption of homogeneity of the African Ameri-can population.
ABSTRACT A tribute to the life and work of Dr Katie Geneva Cannon, this article offers pastoral t... more ABSTRACT A tribute to the life and work of Dr Katie Geneva Cannon, this article offers pastoral theologians an opportunity to reflect on the work of womanist ethicists Dr Cannon as a reminder of the connection between the two theological disciplines. The author focuses on four theoretical constructs gleaned from Cannon’s work – ‘Asking the Question – Who is God? and the Appreciation of the Question’, ‘Womanist Reframing – Challenging Patriarchal Analytical Frameworks’, ‘Conscientization – The Importance of Self and the Significance of Resistance’, and the importance of ‘Telling the Story’. Using the metaphor of a Black Butterfly, the article reminds us of the legacy left by Dr Katie Cannon and the important womanist ethical tenet of ‘responsibility’ in the generative justice theology’s responsible work noted as a Grand Metamorphosis.
As part of a comprehensive interview study on African-American grief, the authors explored how ra... more As part of a comprehensive interview study on African-American grief, the authors explored how racism is incorporated into narratives about a deceased family member. To the extent that experiences of racism are pervasive in African-American life and to the extent that narratives about a person who has died generally account for the life experiences, achievements, character, and challenges faced by the deceased, the authors expected narratives about a deceased African-American to deal with the person's encounters with racism. In fact, most of the 26 African-Americans who were interviewed spoke about racism in the life of the deceased. Many talked about racism blocking the deceased from getting ahead occupationally and in other ways and about how the deceased resisted or stood up to racism. Some people spoke about the ways the deceased taught them to deal with racism. The narratives that indicated that the deceased had rarely or ever talked about racism still made clear that the deceased lived in a racist world but chose not to bring racism into family conversation. The findings suggest that a view of African-American grieving that is insensitive to racism in African-American experience may lead to unhelpful grief support or counseling.
This research is based on in-depth ethnographic interviewas and focus groups with 88 African Amer... more This research is based on in-depth ethnographic interviewas and focus groups with 88 African American family caregivers from various regions of the United States during a stressful time in their family development-caregiving at the end-of-life-and the grieving during the aftermath. The study employed a stratified purposeful sampling strategy. Subjects were African Americans from the Northern, Southern, and Midwestern United States. Forman care is complicated by the distrust that many African Americans hold toward the health care system, which has resulted from years of exclusion, racism and discrimination. The findings highlight the importannce of hearing from African American families to gain an understanding of what services, including family therapy and other psychotherapy, they will need during this process.
This paper re-conceptualizes the theory of ambiguous loss to engage historical and contemporary r... more This paper re-conceptualizes the theory of ambiguous loss to engage historical and contemporary realties of African American women’s lived experiences. Ambiguous Loss theory suggests that a family member can be emotionally or psychologically present but physically absent or physically present but psychologically absent. The paper asserts that African American women always have lived with ambiguity and suggests reclaiming tenets of the theory. As a case study, the paper uses the lives of women in Ava DuVerney’s Queen Sugar and lyrics of the series’ theme song to explore the dilemma of expected ways of being (“keep the color in the line”) alongside desire (“dreams never dying”) and hopes (“taking flight”). The paper encourages African American women to pursue healing while living the mystery while unapologetically reclaiming and reframing what it means to live with ambiguity. It proposes a model of care that centralizes spirit and spirit work, rituals and music and dance, radical soci...
This discussion identifies the prevalence, correlates, and adverse consequences of alcohol and ot... more This discussion identifies the prevalence, correlates, and adverse consequences of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) used by African Americans, with a special focus on African American women. Efforts to prevent substance use and abuse and the nature and effec-tiveness of treatment are also addressed. Several complex issues and limitations that relate to African American AOD prevention and treatment are addressed, including the following: inappropriate research methodologies, the paucity of culturally competent research teams, and the misinformed assumption of homogeneity of the African Ameri-can population.
ABSTRACT A tribute to the life and work of Dr Katie Geneva Cannon, this article offers pastoral t... more ABSTRACT A tribute to the life and work of Dr Katie Geneva Cannon, this article offers pastoral theologians an opportunity to reflect on the work of womanist ethicists Dr Cannon as a reminder of the connection between the two theological disciplines. The author focuses on four theoretical constructs gleaned from Cannon’s work – ‘Asking the Question – Who is God? and the Appreciation of the Question’, ‘Womanist Reframing – Challenging Patriarchal Analytical Frameworks’, ‘Conscientization – The Importance of Self and the Significance of Resistance’, and the importance of ‘Telling the Story’. Using the metaphor of a Black Butterfly, the article reminds us of the legacy left by Dr Katie Cannon and the important womanist ethical tenet of ‘responsibility’ in the generative justice theology’s responsible work noted as a Grand Metamorphosis.
As part of a comprehensive interview study on African-American grief, the authors explored how ra... more As part of a comprehensive interview study on African-American grief, the authors explored how racism is incorporated into narratives about a deceased family member. To the extent that experiences of racism are pervasive in African-American life and to the extent that narratives about a person who has died generally account for the life experiences, achievements, character, and challenges faced by the deceased, the authors expected narratives about a deceased African-American to deal with the person's encounters with racism. In fact, most of the 26 African-Americans who were interviewed spoke about racism in the life of the deceased. Many talked about racism blocking the deceased from getting ahead occupationally and in other ways and about how the deceased resisted or stood up to racism. Some people spoke about the ways the deceased taught them to deal with racism. The narratives that indicated that the deceased had rarely or ever talked about racism still made clear that the deceased lived in a racist world but chose not to bring racism into family conversation. The findings suggest that a view of African-American grieving that is insensitive to racism in African-American experience may lead to unhelpful grief support or counseling.
This research is based on in-depth ethnographic interviewas and focus groups with 88 African Amer... more This research is based on in-depth ethnographic interviewas and focus groups with 88 African American family caregivers from various regions of the United States during a stressful time in their family development-caregiving at the end-of-life-and the grieving during the aftermath. The study employed a stratified purposeful sampling strategy. Subjects were African Americans from the Northern, Southern, and Midwestern United States. Forman care is complicated by the distrust that many African Americans hold toward the health care system, which has resulted from years of exclusion, racism and discrimination. The findings highlight the importannce of hearing from African American families to gain an understanding of what services, including family therapy and other psychotherapy, they will need during this process.
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