This simple, introductory guide answers 100 of the basic questions people ask about African Americans and Black people in everyday conversation. It has answers about identity, language, religion, culture, customs, social norms, economics, politics, education, work, families and food. It also covers contemporary issues of race, employment, criminal justice, heath, wealth and housing. This guide is for people in business, education, faith communities, government, medicine, law enforcement and human resources who need a starting point in learning or teaching more about African Americans.
Questions include:
- Which is preferred, Black or African American?
- Why do some people prefer to identify as Black?
- Why do some people prefer African American?
- How do multiracial people identify or fit in?
- What is the African diaspora?What is the Great Migration?
- What are Pan-Africanism and the Pan-African flag?
- What is the Negro National Anthem?
- What is the Emancipation Proclamation and what did it do?
- Why does slavery have such a lasting effect?
- What are reparations?What did Jim Crow laws do?
- What is Brown v. the Board of Education?
- What is "reverse discrimination" or "reverse racism?"
- What is Kwanzaa?
- What is Ebonics?
- Why is it OK for Black people, but not White people, to use the n-word?
- Are Black people loud?
- How can it be offensive to compliment a Black person for being articulate?
- How many Black households are headed by one parent?
- How prevalent are multiracial marriages among African Americans?
- How important is religion to African Americans?
- What religions do African Americans follow?
- What is the Black Church?
- What is institutional racism?
- What is systemic racism?
- What is White privilege?
- What does "colorblind" mean?
- Can Black people be prejudiced?
- What does it mean to "play the race card?"
- How is the African-American population distributed?
- How do African Americans' educational levels compare with others'?
- What are Historically Black Colleges and Universities?
- How does African American unemployment compare with other groups?
- Is the Black community the major recipient of other government aid?
- How does African-American life expectancy compare with others?
- What is the infant mortality rate for Black babies?
- Are some medical conditions more prevalent among African Americans?
- Can racism cause health problems?
- Is sickle cell disease a Black condition?
- Where do sexual stereotypes about African Americans come from?
- How do issues of race and gender affect Black women?
- How does the Black community regard sexual orientation?
- What is colorism?
- What is "passing?"
- Can African Americans get sunburned or tanned?
- What is "ashy" skin?
- Why are there many Black athletes in some sports and not others?
- What was the "Chitlin' Circuit?"
- What is hip-hop?
- Why do some people assume African Americans are good dancers?
- How often and accurately are African Americans represented in movies?
- Are African Americans well represented in the news media?
- What is the origin of African-American soul food?
- What are African American military contributions?
- What is cultural appropriation?
- What is "mass incarceration?"
- Is it true there are more Black men in prison than in college?
- What are the statistics for Black-on-White homicides?
- What is racial profiling?
- Where do African Americans stand politically?
- What does #BlackLivesMatter say about other lives?
The authors are Michigan State students Rachel Linnemann, Kelsey Block, Veronica Muñoz, Stephanie Hernandez McGavin, Paige Boyd, Caitlin Taylor, Lilliana Forti, Stacy Cornwell, Danielle Schwartz, Cayden Royce, Victoria Bowles, Rashad Timmons, Brian Batayeh, Kiana Elkins, Michelle Armstead and Brittany S. Holmes.
Their work was vetted by a team of experts including:
- Nikki G. Bannister, principal editorial consultant of Nik Scott, Navy.
- Dr. Charles Corley, Michigan State University Dept. of Criminal Justice.
- Dr. Pero Gaglo Dagbovie, professor of African American history and Associate Dean in the Michigan State University Graduate School.
- Joyce Zoe Farley, pursuing master's and doctorate degrees in African-American studies with concentrations in public policy and film at Michigan State University.
- Wanda J. Herndon, former senior vice president of Global Communications for Starbucks Coffee Company and founder of W Communications
- Stratton Lee, adviser in the MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences Department of Academic and Student Affairs.
- Walter T. Middlebrook, assistant manager editor/Metro, The Detroit News.
- Rashad Muhammad, instructional technologist at MSUglobal Knowledge & Learning Innovations.
- Keith Owens, senior editor of The Michigan Chronicle.
- Freda Sampson, director of inclusion and diversity at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
- Dr. Geneva Smitherman, author and Michigan State University distinguished professor emerita in the departments of English and African American and African Studies.
- Reginald A. Stuart, past president of the Society of Professional Journalists and corporate recruiter.
- Julie Green Topping, formerly senior director of content strategy at the Detroit Free Press
- John Golaszewski, Michigan Department of Civil Rights
