ABSTRACT
As the only group of Americans forced to immigrate for purposes of economic exploitation, the lives of African Americans historically and currently are filled with negative experiences (Karenga, 1993; Takaki, 1993). These experiences stem from a complex, hostile, social environment that has required unique personal and group survival skills encompassing not only specific political actions, but also empowerment practices (Hill, 1998). Whether actions are peaceful and organized or violent and disorganized, such behaviors can be viewed as a contextual response of citizens to their environment. In fact, African-American liberation, self-help, nationalism, advocacy for civil rights, protest, or other efforts that embody an empowerment spirit are well documented (Schiele, 2001). It is no accident then that other marginalized groups (i.e., women, gays and lesbians, the disabled, Native Americans, and some new immigrant populations) seeking full participation in American civic debate and discourse have modeled their political actions on the efforts of African Americans (Epstein, 1991). All too often, political action frameworks in the social work curriculum are introduced to students in macro practice courses. Generally these courses focus upon on of two types of problems: (1) historical comparisons of the processes of decision making in voting procedures; and (2) statistical comparisons of trends regarding lower-class citizens and women, after their entry into the electorate (Rokkan, 1970). However, serious consideration of such content should start with understanding the human behavior and social environment context.
