Instructor’s Manual

Mary Ann Watson

Ray LeJeune

Instructor’s Manual

to accompany

Africans in America: The Unfolding of Ethnic Identity

Mary Ann Watson Ray LeJeune

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Table of Contents Preface v Acknowledgments vii The Professional Team viii African Map 1 Meet the Families From Ethiopia Map 2 Brief History 3 Photographs 4 Biographical Sketch and Quotations 5 From Ghana Map 6 Brief History 7 Photographs 8 Biographical Sketch and Quotations 9 From Nigeria Map 10 Brief History 11 Photographs 12 Biographical Sketch and Quotations 13 From Sierra Leone Map 14 Brief History 15 Photographs 16 Biographical Sketch and Quotations 17 From Uganda Map 18 Brief History 19 Photographs 20 Biographical Sketch and Quotations 21 The Video 23 Classroom Discussion Questions 25 References 27

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Preface This brief instructor’s manual is designed to assist you in using Africans in America: The Unfolding of Ethnic Identity as a teaching and learning tool. We have included brief background information on each of the persons and the five countries involved in this video as well as maps, discussion questions for classroom use, and a brief bibliography. We have added photos of each of the interviewees so that students may identify more easily the participants with their home countries. The continent and country maps with hometowns or villages accented will aid the student in visualizing the homelands from which these persons have come. The discussion questions and reference material will support classroom dialogue as well as provide additional reading and resource material as desired. I began conceptualizing Africans in America: The Unfolding of Ethnic Identity following the completion of six previous video series that have accompanied college psychology and anthropology textbooks. This video material was initially planned as a simple supplementary resource for a presentation for the African Studies Association meetings for Fall 2002 in Washington, D.C. The subject was to be family pressure concerning choice of spouse for first generation immigrants in the United States. As the filming of the five immigrant families proceeded and as the subject matter became broader, the vision of the film expanded. Each of these families had so many thoughts and ideas to share, so many insights into the U.S. culture that would benefit various disciplines in a university community. The thirteen interviewees become the educators in this series. I appreciate their willingness to invite us into their homes as they teach us about their beliefs, experiences, and concerns on these very important topics in U.S. culture. The ongoing principle guiding this project is to provide U.S. students with dynamic slices of real human experience, particularly with persons coming from different cultural backgrounds. My goal is for students to understand and appreciate the differences in cultures as well as to experience more directly the similarities of the human experience worldwide. I have discovered that one of the most powerful ways of changing existing prejudices is to meet real people through the medium of video. We can best understand the ways of other human being not by making assumptions, but by observing and listening and resisting the temptation to reach conclusions before gathering information. We invite you along with us on this video journey into the lives of five families from Africa – five families contributing to the “tapestry” of the United States of America. Mary Ann Watson

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Acknowledgments

The essential ingredient in this film was the spirited involvement of the five African immigrant families who were filmed for this video process. All were hesitant at first contact to share their thoughts and dreams with a non-immigrant professor. Nevertheless, without exception, as the filming progressed, all of them enjoyed the process and wanted to say more and more and more. Their sincerity was palpable; their thoughts on U.S. culture were intelligent and insightful. The filming experience was heartwarming for all of us involved in the filmmaking process. We wish to thank the institutions that invited us into their midst for additional filming – the Abyssinian Café and St. Mary’s Ethiopian Orthodox Church – and our home institutions – Metropolitan State College of Denver and the University of Colorado, Denver.

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The Professional Team

Mary Ann Watson, Ph.D., Executive Producer, Interviewer – Mary Ann Watson is a senior faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Metropolitan State College of Denver with teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Her post-doctoral work at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine laid the foundation for her work as a teacher and clinician, specializing in sexology and thanatology. She has been involved in the production of six video series with instructor’s guides that have accompanied textbooks in psychology and anthropology: Patients as Educators: Videocases in Abnormal Psychology (Prentice Hall, 1992); Videocases in Human Sexuality (McGraw Hill, 1996); Videocases in Human Development (McGraw Hill, 1998); Rites of Passage: Videocases of Traditional African Peoples (Prentice Hall, 2001); The Changing American Indian in a Changing America: Videocases of American Indian Peoples (Prentice Hall, 2001); Voices for Peace: Videocases of Jews and Arabs in Israel (2001). She has authored Your Sexuality Workbook, Editions I, II, III, and IV (Kendall Hunt, 1984; 1991; 1996; 2002) and edited Modern Kenya: Social Issues and Perspectives (University Press of America, 2000). Ray LeJeune, B.A., Producer, Director – Ray LeJeune is a producer and director of video projects at the Auraria Campus in Denver, Colorado. He is an Emmy-nominated producer-director working in the Denver metropolitan area since 1987, producing video for local and regional programming. He has completed numerous educational video projects for the Discovery Channel, CNN, and Warner Brothers. He received a first place award in 2000 from the Colorado Broadcasters’ Association for his children’s programming. Heather Fralick, Assistant to the Executive Producer, Editor, Writer – Heather Fralick is a student at Metropolitan State College of Denver, completing a B.A. degree in psychology and business management. She plans to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis on human sexuality and relationship issues. Media Team – Vincent Comparetto, Graphic Artist; Carolyne Janssen, Art Director; Janine Evangelista and Todd Novosad, Avid Editors; Bill Janssen, Research and Archive Footage. These five media specialists are staff of the Auraria Higher Education Media Center. They provide maps, photographs, editing, and other media services to the college and university communities

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Africa

Ethiopia

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Ethiopia*

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) is unique in that it is the only African country that maintained its freedom from colonial rule. It is the oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world – at least 2000 years. In 1974 a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile Selassie (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front. A constitution was adopted in 1994 and Ethiopia’s first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A two and a half year border war with Eritrea that ended with a peace treaty on December of 2000 has strengthened the ruling coalition, but has hurt the nation’s economy. Ethiopia’s economy is based on agriculture that suffers from frequent periods of drought. Coffee is critical to the Ethiopian economy and, according to current estimates, contributes 10% of Ethiopia’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Demographic Indicators Location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia Capital: Addis Ababa Area – Comparative: Slightly less than twice the size of Texas Population: 65 million Socio-Economic Indicators Ethnic Groups: Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigre 32%, Sidamo 9%,

Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1% Religions: Muslim 45-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35-40%, animist

12%, other 3-8% Languages: Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromigna, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic,

other local languages, English (major foreign language taught in schools)

Population Growth Rate: 2.7% Life Expectancy at Birth: 44.68 years Total Fertility Rate: 7 children born/woman HIV/AIDS - Adult Prevalence Rate: 10.63% Literacy Rate: 35.5% Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: $600. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate: 2% Inflation Rate: 5% *CIA. The World Factbook:Ethiopia.

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From Ethiopia

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Biographical Sketch

Yenealem Kebede came to the United States for education in 1982 and met her husband Gedion Fanta a few years later. They married and have two daughters, Bethlehem (13) and Sophanite (9). Both Yen and Gedion are from central Ethiopia where the Amharic language is dominant. Yen works for the Internal Revenue Service as a customer service agent for the accounts management department. Gedion owns and is the primary cook for the Abyssinian Café, an Ethiopian restaurant in Denver. They are involved in St. Mary’s Ethiopian Orthodox church.

Quotations

“Kids here are a little less strict – a little less disciplined. Our parents are more strict with

us. That’s OK with us.” (Sophie and Beth Gedion)

“Ethiopians are always together. Even though they mix with everyone else, they try to keep a sense of who they are – through restaurants, churches, and social affairs.”

(Yenealem Kebede)

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Ghana

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Ghana*

The Republic of Ghana formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory. Ghana in 1957 became the first country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. A long series of coups resulted in the suspension of the constitution in 1981 and the banning of political parties. A new constitution, restoring multiparty politics, was approved in 1992. Lt. Jerry Rawlings, head of state since 1981, won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented form running for a third term in 2000. He was succeeded by John Kufuor. Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has twice the per capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa. Gold, timber, and cocoa production are major sources of foreign exchange. Demographic Indicators Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d’Ivoire and Togo Capital: Accra Area – Comparative: Slightly smaller than Oregon Population: 19 million Socio-Economic Indicators Ethnic Groups: Black African 99.8%; Major tribes – Akan 44%, Moshi- Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8% Religions: Indigenous beliefs 38%, Muslim 30%, Christian 24%, other 8% Languages: English (official), African languages including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga Population Growth Rate: 1.79% Life Expectancy at Birth: 57.24 years Total Fertility Rate: 3.82 children born/woman HIV/AIDS – Adult Prevalence Rate: 3.6% Literacy Rate: 64.5% Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: $1900. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate: 3% Inflation Rate: 22.8% *CIA. The World Factbook:Ghana.

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From Ghana

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Biographical Sketch

Muntari Awini came to the United States from Ghana in 1989 to serve as a financial officer in the Ghanian embassy in Washington, D.C. His wife Ramatu followed with their two daughters Rahina and Jemila. A son, Jaleel, was born in the United States several years later. Muntari is presently in pharmaceutical sales; Ramatu is a Licensed Practical Nurse working in an Alzheimer’s unit at a nursing home while completing a B.S. in nursing at Regis University. Both Rahina and Jemila are college students – Rahina at Metropolitan State College of Denver and Jemila at Grambling State University in Louisiana. The parents are practicing Muslims.

Quotations

“The first thing I noticed when I got here was individualism. People are not open. I didn’t even know my next-door neighbor. It’s not like that in my country. We are open. We try to know each other. We try to socialize. We sit down together for a cup of tea or

a bottle of beer.” (Muntari Awini)

“I tell them [my children] every day. This house is Ghana. When you go outside, that is

America. Inside my house this is Ghana and you will do according to the Ghanian culture. They respect that.”

(Ramatu Awini)

“American schools were different….a lot of white kids. They treated us bad. They didn’t treat us equally at all. When we were growing up in Ghana we were used to being

treated equally. They didn’t accept us. It was because of our skin color.” (Rahina and Jemila Awini)

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From Nigeria

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Nigeria*

The Federal Republic of Nigeria gained its independence in 1960 from the United Kingdom. Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999 and a peaceful transition to civilian government completed. The new president, Mr. Obasanjo, faces the daunting task of rebuilding a petroleum-based economy whose revenues diminished during the period of military rule. The oil-rich Nigerian economy is undergoing substantial economic reform under the new civilian administration. The largely subsistence agricultural sector has failed to keep up with rapid population growth, and Nigeria, once a large net exporter of food, now must import food. The major industries of Nigeria are crude oil, coal, tin, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, and other construction materials. Demographic Indicators Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon Capital: Abuja Area – Comparative: Slightly more than twice the size of California Population: 126 million Socio-Economic Indicators Ethnic Groups: Nigeria is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups;

Among the most populous are the Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%

Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, Indigenous beliefs 10% Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani Population Growth Rate: 2.61% Life Expectancy at Birth: 51.07 years Total Fertility Rate: 5.57 children born/woman HIV/AIDS – Adult Prevalence Rate: 5.06% Literacy Rate: 57.1% Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: $950 Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate: 3.5% Inflation Rate: 6.5% *CIA. The World Factbook:Nigeria.

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From Nigeria

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Biographical Sketch

Christy Kanwai came with her husband and children from Nigeria for his schooling in 1992. Christy’s husband has recently died, but Christy has decided to stay in the United States as her children become educated. Christy is a Certified Nurse Assistant and works in an Alzheimer’s unit of a nursing home. Princess is Christy’s 16-year-old daughter, a junior in an Aurora, Colorado high school. They attend a small Nigerian and Ghanian Christian church that has a Nigerian pastor. Christy is from the Kataf tribe in Nigeria where Hausa is the native language.

Quotations

“I miss home a lot. Some day I’ll go back. I’m a Nigerian.” (Christy Kanwai)

“My parents worry that when I have children that they may forget their heritage….where they came from. They feel that if I marry a Nigerian man they [my children] won’t

forget….they’ll know where they come from.” (Princess Kanwai)

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Sierra Leone

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Sierra Leone*

The Republic of Sierra Leone received its independence from the United Kingdom in 1961. Since 1991, civil war between the government and the Revolutionary United Front has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than two million people (over one-third of the population) many of whom are now refugees in neighboring countries. A peace agreement, signed in July 1999, collapsed in May 2000 after the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) took 500 United Nations peacekeepers hostage. As of late 2000 approximately 13,000 U.N. peacekeepers were protecting the capital and key towns in the south. A United Kingdom force of 750 was helping to reinforce security and train the Sierra Leone army. Sierra Leone is a poor African nation with inequality in income distribution. It has substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources. About two-thirds of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. The major source of currency is the mining of diamonds. The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad. Demographic Indicators Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia Capital: Freetown Area – Comparative: Slightly smaller than South Carolina Population: 5.5 million Socio-Economic Indicators Ethnic Groups: Twenty native African tribes, most populous being Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%, Creole 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves settled in Freetown area) Religions: Muslim 60%, Indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10% Languages: English (official), Mende, Temne, Krio Population Growth Rate: 3.61% Life Expectancy at Birth: 45.6 years Total Fertility Rate: 6.01 children born/woman HIV/AIDS – Adult Prevalence Rate: 2.99% Literacy Rate: 31.4% Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: $510. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate: 4.2% Inflation Rate: 15% *CIA. The World Factbook: Sierra Leone.

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From Sierra Leone

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Biographical Sketch

Isatha Tarawally came to the United States initially in 1977 to join her husband who was receiving his advanced degree at the University of Denver. He has returned to Africa; Isatha has remained in the United States with their children. Isatha is a Certified Nurse Assistant doing home health care nursing. Khadijatu is a college student at Metropolitan State College of Denver who works in the college’s financial aid office. Isatha and Khadijatu practice the Muslim religion.

Quotations

“My biggest challenge [coming to the U.S. and raising children here] was too much freedom. The kids have more freedom. My African culture is different than this

American culture. I wasn’t raised like that. I looked aside or down to my mother. American children look directly at their parents….they look them in the eye. That

doesn’t convey the respect we show in Africa.” (Isatha Tarawally)

“Adapting the two cultures I’ve become a better person. There are things about the African culture I love; things about the American culture I love….Africans help others

first; Americans help themselves first.” (Khadijatu Fofanah)

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Uganda

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Uganda*

The Republic of Uganda achieved its independence from the United Kingdom in 1962. The dictatorial regime of Idi Amin (1971-1979) was responsible for the deaths of some 300,000 opponents; guerrilla war and human rights abuses under Milton Obote (1980-1985) claimed another 100,000 lives. During the 1990’s the government conducted non-party presidential and legislative elections. Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee is the major export crop and accounts for the bulk of export revenues. Ongoing involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, corruption within the government, and slippage in the government’s determination to press reforms raise doubts about the continuation of strong growth. Demographic Indicators Location: Eastern Africa, west of Kenya Capital: Kampala Area – Comparative: Slightly smaller than Oregon Population: 24 million Socio-Economic Indicators Ethnic Groups: Baganda 17%, Karamojong 12%, Basogo 8%, Iteso 8%,

Langi 6%, Rwanda 6%, Bagisu 5%, Acholi 4%, Lugbara 4%, Bunyoro 3%, Batoro 3%, non-African 1%, other 23%

Religions: Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%, Indigenous beliefs 18% Languages : English (official), Ganda or Luganda, Swahili, Arabic, other tribal languages Population Growth Rate : 2.93% Life Expectancy at Birth: 43.37 years Total Fertility Rate: 6.88 children born/woman HIV/AIDS – Adult Prevalence Rate: 8.3% Literacy Rate : 61.8% Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: $1100. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate: 6% Inflation Rate: 6.5% *CIA. The World Factbook: Uganda.

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From Uganda

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Biographical Sketch Marcellina Otii and her daughters came from Uganda via Kenya in 1979 to join her husband Albert Otii who was in the United States for education. They came to escape the murderous reign of Idi Amin, the Ugandan President/dictator. Ageno and two other siblings were born later to the Otiis in the United States. Marcellina is a Montessori teacher in the Denver Public Schools; Albert is an instructor of accounting and business education at the Community College of Denver. Ageno’s older sisters have graduated from college. Ageno is a sophomore at the University of Colorado majoring in communication. Marcellina and Albert are a part of the Acholi group in northern Uganda. The family is Christian Catholic.

Quotations “I do want them [my children] to learn the good things of human life in America. I want

them to balance the speed of life in America and the need to make money with the important things in life – the things you remember on your deathbed. I want them to

know Uganda – the land of their ancestors.” (Marcellina Otii)

“Our home is a Ugandan home. I’m taught in that manner yet when I leave the house I’m treated in a different way. I’m treated as an African-American. I have black skin, yet

that’s not my history at all. What are we supposed to be? Are we Ugandan enough? Are we American enough?”

(Ageno Otii)

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The Video

Africans in America: The Unfolding of Ethnic Identity

For many African immigrants the United States is a land of opportunity. Some come to receive a higher education for themselves and their children. Some come to make a better living. Others come to escape intolerable political situations in their home countries – civil wars and political unrest. Who are these people? What do they believe? How are they fitting in to American culture? Meet two generations of five African families living in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area: From Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Yenealem Kebede, her husband Gedion Fanta, and their children Bethlehem and Sophanite; From Accra and Bawku, Ghana: Muntari and Ramatu Awini and their daughters Rahina and Jemila; From Kafanchan, Nigeria: Christy Kanwai and her daughter Princess; From Freetown, Sierra Leone: Isatha Tarawally and her daughter Khadijatu Fofanah; From Gulu, Uganda: Marcellina Otii and her daughter Ageno. Besides being the land of opportunity, the United States is also the land of acculturative stress – the stress resulting from contact between two very different cultural groups with different traditions, beliefs, and values. What are the coping mechanisms that these families have incorporated? What are their sources of strength within this fast-paced society with often seemingly dangerous surroundings? How do these persons - first and second generation immigrants - see themselves? Do they fit in with other African-Americans? Or are they many separate groups? Their sense of self unfolds as they live in the United States and interact with others. How do these persons see their futures? Will they stay in the Untied States or return to their homelands? What are the first generation hopes for their children and future grandchildren? The establishment of an ethnic identity is a dynamic, not a static process. Identity unfolds as persons interact with those in their home, work, school, and play situations. In principle, change occurs in both groups. In practice, however, the minority group is faced with many, many more challenges. As this sense of ethnic identity unfolds recently arrived Africans add to the rich tapestry that is the United States of America.

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Classroom Discussion Questions

1. What is your preconception of “African immigrants?” Create a word-picture to describe this group of persons.

2. What evidence do you gather from the film for the “unfolding of ethnic identity?”

3. Compare the first and second generation interviewees in this film. What are the noticeable differences between the two generations? 4. Compare the first and second generation interviewees in this film. What are the

differences in expressed values and beliefs?

5. What are the main reasons for the emigration of these first generation immigrants?

6. What United States cultural values seem of most concern to the first generation

immigrants? Describe.

7. What African values and beliefs seem to be most missed by the first generation immigrants?

8. What differences do you note, if any, between the African immigrants and African-Americans?

9. What surprises, if any, did you experience by observing this film?

10. Did the interviewees match the word-picture of African immigrants you created in

question #1?

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References

Berry, J.W. (1998). Acculturative Stress. In Organista, P.B., Chun, K.M., & Marin, G. (Eds.). Readings in Ethnic Psychology. Routledge, New York, New York. CIA. (2002). The World Factbook: Ethiopia. [On-line]. Available: www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/et.html. CIA. (2002). The World Factbook: Ghana. [On-line]. Available: www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gh.html. CIA. (2002). The World Factbook: Nigeria. [On-line]. Available: www.coa.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ni.html CIA. (2002). The World Factbook: Sierra Leone. [On-line]. Available: www.odci.gov/cia.publications/factbook/geos/sl.html#Intro CIA. (2002). The World Factbook: Uganda. [On-line]. Available: www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ug.html Finley, B. (June 3, 2002). Africans increasingly find a home in Denver. The Denver Post. Denver, Colorado. Marger, M.N. (2003). Race and Ethnic Relations. Wadsworth, Belmont, California. Olinger, D. (June 5, 2002). Census reflects a state in flux. The Denver Post. Denver, Colorado. Organista, P.B., Chun, K.M., & Marin, G. (Eds.). Readings in Ethnic Psychology. Routledge, New York, New York. Phinney, J.S. (1998). Ethnic Identity in Adolescents and Adults: Review of Research. In Organista, P.B., Chun, K.M., & Marin, G. (Eds). Readings in Ethnic Psychology. Routledge, New York, New York. Riley, M. (June 5, 2002). Immigration wave swept state in ‘90’s: Foreign-born percentage highest since 1930 count. The Denver Post. Denver, Colorado.

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