Abstract
This paper addresses the Afro-centric Social Work paradigm, giving the definition and meaning of "Afro-centricity" and further describing the values and concepts of Afro-centricity as a social science paradigm on which social work practice can be built. The article describes the origins and principles of the Afro-centric or African-centered paradigm, the relationship of Afro-centricity to social problems, and explains the reasons for the emergence of an Afro-centric social science perspective.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Afro-centricity - Definition and Meaning
Afro-centricity as an Emerging Paradigm in Social Work Practice
Effects on Male and Female Groups
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Peoples of African origin have a unique place within a multicultural society. The history of African Americans in the United States differs from those who came to US as immigrants. Despite African Americans' social and economic progress, they continue to lag behind White America in the areas of income, education, and health (McKinnon, 2003). While several models of social work practice that can assist colored people have emerged, the concept "Afro-centricity" better describes the cultural values of people of African descent and deployed for the social work practice. Social workers are encouraged to follow the Afro-centric paradigm because of its emphasis on eliminating oppression of the colored people."

Tags:value, system, sensitive, approach, social, science, traditional, culture, behavior

Abstract
This paper discusses Afro-Brazilian dance forms. It looks briefly at the history and origins of the dance form and discusses its importance in understanding the culture in Brazil. The paper then focuses on specific forms of Afro-Brazilian dance. It describes each dance form, the occasion in which the dance is used and how it is performed by the dancers.

Table of Contents:
Candomble
Samba
Capoeira

From the Paper
"The Candomble dancing is a ceremonial, religious dance, done during one of the numerous terreiros de candomble scattered throughout the city of Bahaia. Women wear long skirts, usually colored ones. They dance to be respectful to the orixas, or gods. "Each deity represents a given force or element in nature, and has a favourite colour and type of food. Yemanja, for example, is the goddess of the sea, who usually dresses in blue and white. The favourite colour of Oxun, the goddess of beauty, is yellow. In the religious ceremonies, practitioners dress in the colours of the orixas and place food at the altar before singing special songs and dancing precisely choreographed steps to the sacred drums. The anthropomorphic nature of the orixa allows an intimate contact between believer and deity, and the highlight of the Candomble ceremony is the epiphany, or possession, when the orixa takes over the believer's body" (Davis)"

Tags:candomble, samba, capoeira

Abstract
The paper looks at the economic and social situation in the Oakwood/Eglinton areas, examining the integrationist efforts which have been undertaken to alleviate some of the struggles men, women and children face. The paper discusses the inclusionary tactics practiced by the larger communities housing Afro-Caribbean families and investigates the barriers which frustrate any sort of integrationist initiative. The paper concludes that the past and present have been difficult for recently-arrived Jamaicans in a city that prides itself on its racial tolerance, but there is hope that concerted community action can brighten the future.

From the Paper
"The first thing which must be done in a paper of this sort is to look at the economic and social situation which exists within Oakwood and within Eglinton. In truth (simply by glancing at the ward profiles provided on the official web site of the City of Toronto), it appears as though Oakwood and Eglinton are not conjoined as many might think at first glance. Furthermore, a look at the city's neighborhood profiles is only a little more helpful - and it, too, marks the two areas as distinct. Be that as it may, some things can certainly be deduced which offer insight into how the Jamaican community is treated in Canada. For one thing, when looking at household income distribution in the neighborhood of Oakwood-Vaughan (for 2001), it is striking that the income bracket with the largest percentage of the population is that bracket housing those making $10,000 - $19,999 per annum. Ironically, the next-largest income bracket is comprised of those making $100,000 per annum or more (City of Toronto, "Oakwood-Vaughan: Social Profile #3," 3)."

Tags:immigrants, inclusion, integration, racism, ethnicity, income, prejudice

From the Paper
"This paper will be concerned with African influences on Afro-American jazz and dance. The roots of Afro-American jazz can be traced back to the early 17th century, when African slaves were first brought to America from their homeland. These slaves came from various parts of Africa, and they brought a great variety of indigenous music and dance with them. In Africa, music and dance had played a vital role in both religious worship and everyday life. The tribal peoples of Africa had developed many types of songs for special occasions as well as specific dances which were intended to accompany the songs. The closely woven interrelationship between music and dance was thus strongly fixed in the minds of the early African slaves. As noted by one music historian, "in Africa . . . dance and song are intimately associated aspects of a single art" "

Abstract
This paper is an overview of Afro-American history, beginning with slavery in the 1700s. The author looks at how slavery affected the nuclear family, both economically and psychologically, and how this pattern continues to be prevalent in today's Afro-American families. Some of the issues discussed include, the owner-slave relationship, marriages between slaves and how slavery affected children and their identity. The paper also looks at the post-Emancipation period and the hardships that the freed slaves continued to encounter including poverty, unemployment and racial discrimination. According to the author, migration from the South to the North was one of the most significant changes that occurred as a result of Emancipation. The Afro-American families' strong bond, which may not be categorized as a
'traditional' but 'extended' family can be traced back to the period of slavery and in this author's opinion, shows the strengths of the community as a whole.

From the Paper
"Roberson reported that some of the migrating families were quite large, with six or seven children. It could be very difficult to find housing to old a family of that size, even with extensive family and community support. So often, these parents would have to make hard decisions to break the family apart, at least temporarily. Some of the children would be taken in by aunts and uncles, but given that the extended family was so strong, connected and well bonded together, this wasn't as wrenching as it might have been. The extended family continued to watch out for and support the new arrivals until they had work and a place to stay. (Roberson, accessed 2002)"

Tags:slavery, emancipation, bonds, owners, marriage, matriarchial, community, harsh, life, nuclear, farmers, discrimination, racial, migration, rural, urban, stable

Abstract
This paper focuses on the issue of African-American women and feminism, from the 1960s to the present, while focusing on the views and opinions of various authors such as Patricia Hill Collins. Collins, a powerful voice in matters of black feminist epistemology, contends that because black women have access to both the Afro-centric and feminist standpoints, then, for a full analysis, both traditions should be represented through an "alternative epistemology." Collins also states that the key dimension of an Afro-centric feminist epistemology is the black woman's centrality in families and community organizations.
The writer of this paper discusses the issues that pertained to many African-American women in the 1960s and 1970s, who felt that the objectives and practices of feminism pertained mainly to white women. In the early 1970s, black feminists challenged this situation, questioning the assumption that white feminists spoke for all women and demanded -and eventually were given- women's studies programs on the experiences, culture and literature of black women. At that time, the activist black women who made the demands were denounced for espousing black nationalism, nonetheless, appropriate courses on "women of color" were eventually added to the women's studies' curriculum, which are detailed in this paper. This paper examines the progress and empowerment of African-American women over the years who are now able to lead in ways they had never thought possible, prior to 1960.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Main Body of the Paper: Literature Review
Epistemology
Conclusion
References
References Not Included in the Body of the Paper

From the Paper
"In her book, Collins suggests that the Black feminist thought processes speaks to "the importance that knowledge plays in empowering oppressed people." Moreover, Black feminist thought offers a "fundamental paradigmatic shift in how we think about oppression," though the process of reconceptualizing "the social relations of domination and resistance." Black feminist thought also empowers "subordinate groups" by infusing them with "new knowledge" that helps them define the reality of their own existence. What is impressive about Collins - besides the fact that clearly she's brilliant, alert to what real Black women are doing and feeling - is that she is fair-minded when it comes to her scholarship, and generally eschews long and emotional harangues about the white culture, and about white feminist epistemology that has in the past stood in the way of African-American feminists reaching out to the world with their vision."

Tags:women, racism, rights, feminism, education, spirituality, literature, patricia, hill, collins

Abstract
This six-page paper looks at the aspects of the African American and how the use of the Church within his community acts as a ritualized and cultural event within the African American family unit. Also discussing the ideals and values of attendance at church with a discussion and look at the effects of slavery had on the present religion. The methods adopted to control salves and their resistance is also considered.

Abstract
This paper will discuss the idea of film playing a part of in the media in the creation of stereotypes of harshness in "Black identity". By examining some of the film, which led to this, we can learn much about blacks are portrayed as 'hoods' or associated with crime in some or another. By making this distinction in film, we can learn how this image is clearly projected in black culture by white dominated media.

Abstract
This paper is written about C. H. Gissendanner. He, primarily, opines that the gender separatism and the distinction between competitive sport and the ideal of femininity as espoused by the Women's Division of the National Amateur Athletic Federation in 1923 did not hold ground with the African-American communities.

Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts the African American entertainment styles of minstrelsy and gangsta rap. The essay contains a lengthy discussion of the differences and similarities in these styles of music. Finally, it presents a discussion that supports the author's thesis that gangsta rap is the new minstrelsy.

From the Paper
"The development of African American music closely parallels the history of African Americans. African American history is rich and begins with the first slave capture in the 16th century. Decades of slavery followed, until the signing of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. Following the proclamation, African Americans were slowly integrated into American society as free people."
In the 21st century, exemplary African Americans like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, and Jesse Jackson slowly moved the African American population to greater equality with white Americans. The 21st century saw the end of segregation in schools and public places, the rise of black power, and the continued development of a rich and unique African American culture. "

Tags:music, rap, gangster, African, American, culture, segregation, racist