William Oliver

Domestic Violence in the African American Community An Analysis of Social and Structural Factors

This article discusses intimate partner violence (IPV) as a major public health issue for women, in particular, African American women. The intersection of IPV and institutional racism doubly victimizes African American women as they try to break out of the cycle of violence. The research shows that IPV in the African American community is more common and violent than in the Caucasian community due to structural, cultural community, and situational contexts, overshadowed by institutional racism, that effect the romantic relationships of African American men and women. Research shows that the anger, hatred, and frustrations of African American men, caused by institutional racism, are being displaced onto their wives and lovers. Suggestions for intervention are presented.

“The Streets” An Alternative Black Male Socialization Institution

The primary purpose of this article is to describe the social significance of “the streets” as an alternative to the family, church, and other communitybased institutions that facilitate Black male socialization. A major assumption of this discussion is that for many marginal Black males, “the streets” is a socialization institution that has a major influence on their psychosocial development and life-course trajectories and transitions. In addition, the article addresses some of the problematic consequences associated with the pursuit of manhood and social recognition in “the streets.”

Preventing Domestic Violence in the African American Community The Rationale for Popular Culture Interventions

This article explores how aspects of Black popular culture can be effectively used to enhance awareness of domestic violence among African Americans and access to domestic violence treatment interventions for this population. Black popular culture can be used to enhance the cultural sensitivity and competence of intervention efforts designed to prevent and reduce domestic violence among African Americans.

Domestic Violence in the African American Community

ABSTRACT The introduction to this special issue provides a brief overview of major trends in domestic violence and domestic homicide among African Americans. The authors acknowledge progress in the field of domestic violence relative to addressing these disturbing trends and encourage efforts that seek to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and situational context in which domestic violence occurs among African Americans. The purpose of this special issue is discussed and brief summaries of each of the articles published in this issue are provided.

Cultural racism and structural violence : Implications for african americans

Abstract This article discusses why it is important to consider how cultural racism contributes to the construction of motives and justifications among individuals who have committed acts of structural violence, including, lynching, hate crime and police violence against African Americans. Cultural racism is also discussed as a factor that contributes to interpersonal structural violence in situations involving black offenders and victims.

Violence in the Black Family: What We Know, Where Do We Go?

Twenty years ago research on the relationships between domestic violence and culture was not acknowledged as being worthy of scholarly investigation. The prevailing beliefs supported race neutral approaches both for research and for practice and presented obstacles for those who wanted to examine the relationship between race, ethnicity, culture, and violence. It was not only difficult to obtain funding for research studies, but many peer reviewers for leading journals were not supportive of such research as well. Despite the growing literature on domestic violence, significant deficits remained in the research, theory, and practice for families and communities of color (Hampton & Yung, 1996).