arkrud wrote:People were moved from tribal culture into modern (at a time) society and were isolated and used as slaves.
It was no way any kind of culture can be established for this people.
First off African Slaves were not coming from only Tribal Culture. There were established Kingdoms and Empires on the Continent of Africa. The Portuguese, Dutch and British bought slaves from the Kings of complex kingdoms like the Mali Empire, Dahomey and Ashanti. There were long established ancient cities like Timbuktu with its commerce, libraries and universities. Africans came to America with skills in Farming, Metal work, mining, animal husbandry. The politics of dealing with various African Cultures led to Marriage between African Royal Families and Europeans to make for better relations. The descendants of these intermarriages still live in Africa.
arkrud wrote:Then some generations later they were freed but segregated from mainstream local culture.
This forced some unique cultural traits to develop as a mix of old tribal culture and some elements picked up from slave-owners society.
Obviously it was no time to establish anything structured so the mix of original African Voodoo and Christianity took over as religious concepts are designed to occupy easily any empty cultural space.
Africans that were enslaved included Muslims as well as Yoruba and other African religions, but they weren't all ignorant of Judeo Christian beliefs. AA's were actually very much blended into Colonial Society with the exception of the Sea Island Slaves that lived mostly isolated and kept their African Traditions to this day.
The Christian religions were very well established among slaves from very early on. Being a captive audience, most all were converted and the same Moral teachings everyone else in society received were instilled in AA's. Even more so since they were fully aware of the fact that they were not being treated properly according to the teachings of Christ. You have to remember that there were always some Free Africans in America as well.
arkrud wrote:Then when segregation was over the pressure of mainstream American culture falls like a hummer as American culture itself is a mix of multiple cultures brought from all over the world.
The only way to be a part of American culture is to melt into it, especially if some group has no string original culture to hold on too.AA is what America is when original cultural values of the people are lost or weak. They are the mirror America is looking into. So do not blame the mirror if it shows sometimes you find ugly.
Rather be grateful when it shows beautiful things.
As for AA's and their culture, just understand that MUCH of what America is famous for comes from African Culture. It's so melted in that you don't even realize it anymore. Language, Food, Art, Music etc. This country would not be the same if you didn't have the mixing of African and other cultures to create what is considered American Culture.
AA's are not some Monolith where all are the same. No different from everyone else there is great diversity among AA's. No the entire 40 Million of us are not all struggling, "lost or weak". We have a very long and proud tradition in this country despite the intentional Oppression and Degradation we've suffered. Things done to keep us at a lower class and out of power. Things done to ruin the Family structure and living conditions of our communities. As I've said before, this wasn't some benign circumstance that can't be explained. This was done on purpose from the very beginning in 1619 until this very day.