Challenges that Native and African Americans Clients Face

Both native Americans and African Americans face many challenges in society. The challenges spread across social, economic, and cultural reams of their lives. For instance, both racial groups face racial discrimination and assault, among other adverse issues. Nevertheless, non-profit organizations are on the frontline in combating these challenges to create a humane American society for everyone.  

Violence is a critical issue among women and children of the native American racial groups. Research shows that about 46% of Native American women have experienced physical abuse, such as rape and domestic violence (Powwows, 2019). About 80% of these violent cases are propagated by non-native racial groups, especially the whites (Powwows, 2019). Therefore, violence is a critical challenge for native Americans.

Besides, most Native Americans live in poor-quality houses. This is due to the high level of poverty among them. Most of them live in poorly conditioned houses that have poor sanitation systems and are overcrowded. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, about 22% of the 5.2 million Native Americans in the United States live on tribal lands (Native American Aid, 2015). Thus, Native Americans suffer from poor housing.

There are critical challenges in the family setup regarding African Americans, which escalate to domestic violence. High numbers of children born out of wedlock, absent fathers, divorce, and separation have been a major challenge for Africans, leading to a lack of an African American family unit (TeacherVision Staff, 2006). Thus, there are significant challenges associated with the weak family system in African American racial groups.

The second challenge is unequal earning capacity compared to whites. A study analyzed by Ohio University from a 1998 survey revealed that an African-American household income was $15,500 while that of a typical American was $71,700 (Teacher Vision Staff, 2016). The difference is huge, affecting how the families meet their basic needs, such as food. It means the minority racial groups are discriminated against by society regarding economic gains.

The Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA) was formed in 1922 to fight against American-Native women’s violence. Its mission is to lead the grassroots fight to protect Native American cultural sovereignty through educating the youth and building capacity (Association on American Indians affairs, n.d). Some of the programs it is involved in include protecting children’s rights through the Indian child welfare Act and Juvenile justice, protecting indigenous people from violence and offering scholarships to native races.  The association is currently working on protecting the Native American culture and increasing the survival of indigenous people’s lives through Red Hoop Talk live streaming.

Also, the African American Planning Commission (AAPCI), Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 to fight for African American rights. Its mission is to be a multi-service housing social-service, community, and economic development organization (AAPCI, n.d). It aims at reducing homelessness, caring for HIV/AIDS American based Africans, reducing poverty, unemployment, and violence among African Americans, among others. Some of its current works are pushing for better housing and domestic violence among African families living in America.

To sum up, even though these racial groups discrimination, assault, and poverty, non-profit organizations such as AAPCI and AAIA are the frontline in creating a human environment for them. Every person’s lives matter, and for this reason, AAPCI and AAIA ensure that human rights are respected. Thus, all people can live in peace regardless of their race.  

References

AAPCI. (n.d.). AAPCI – Building our community and yours… one block, one family at a time. Retrieved from https://aapci.org/site/#

Association on American Indian affairs. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.indian-affairs.org/

Native American Aid. (, 2015). Native American living conditions on reservations – Native American aid. Retrieved from https://www.nativepartnership.org/site/PageServer?pagename=naa_livingconditions

Powwows, P. (2019, September 7). Native American issues today | Current problems & struggles 2020. Retrieved from https://www.powwows.com/issues-and-problems-facing-native-americans-today/

Teacher Vision Staff. (2006, August 30). Current challenges in the African-American community. Retrieved from https://www.teachervision.com/african-american-history/current-challenges-african-american-community