French Caribbean, British Caribean, and


African American perspectives. (Adapted from the presentation of Evelyne Longchamp)


History and culture. The legacy of slavery has had a significant impact on the current culture of African American families and, consequently, their response to loss. Despite a history of forced separation from family members, African American families maintain strong ties with ancestral traditions. Many families have preserved customs and values that were brought here from Africa centuries ago. These include spiritual, family life, and child-rearing practices. For example, the expression “It takes a village to raise your child” is a proverb, from the Uba people of Nigeria that has become a popular slogan in the United States.


The diversity within the African American community stems from its history. African Americans originally came from many regions in Africa, most commonly those on the west coast. Most African Americans are descendents of these Africans who were shipped to the United States and the Caribbean as slaves. These Africans lived in countries colo- nized by the French, British, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and others. They developed a unique culture with roots in the traditions of Africa as well as in southern U.S. tradi- tions, and those of Caribbean countries.


Historically, African American family members have moved primarily for economic reasons. Since the 1960s there has been a large influx of African Americans from the Caribbean islands, Central and South America, and various African countries. So, U.S. African Americans bring very diverse cultural heritages with them. The cultural tradi- tions of these immigrants vary further depending upon whether they are from urban or rural settings in their countries of origin. Additionally, from the 1940s to 1970s there was a significant migration of African Americans from the southern United States to the north. These individuals were seeking to improve their economic situation by relocat- ing in states with better job opportunities. Unfortunately, in many cases the migration resulted in the migrants’ further separation from their families and their isolation.


Despite their common past, African American families have diverse careers and eco- nomic levels. While most African American families started out living in the south in an agricultural environment, those who moved north got jobs in various industries and service organizations. This development led to a change in the structure of the African American family. As families split up and moved to new locations, they did so as small- er, nuclear families who no longer had access to the large network of kin. Although the nuclear family has become more prevalent, historically, a “flexible” patriarchal family predominated with ties to distant relatives. The head of the household varied according to family circumstances. For example, if the father died or wasn’t available, an uncle or grandfather might become head of the family. Grandmothers have also assumed this role. The extended family included aunts, cousins, godparents, adoptive parents, and others. There is no one family structure that characterizes African American families.


Practitioners who work with families from diverse backgrounds have learned there are many ways people grieve the death of a child. The next section will describe the griev- ing traditions of French Caribbean, British Caribbean, and African American families. Although there are some similarities and differences across these groups, there are


4 VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY: CROSS CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS OF GRIEF AT THE LOSS OF AN INFANT


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