ABSTRACT
The first half of this chapter attempts to describe the psychological situation of Afro-Americans. It presents an analysis of the concept of Black culture. The second part of the chapter deals with the socialization and education of Black children. The triple quandary has a far-reaching impact on the socialization of Afro-American children. The triple quandary presents Afro-Americans with three realms that must be socially negotiated: mainstream American, Black cultural, and oppressed minority. The situation is very different for Afro-American children because the school requires them to acquire values and beliefs that are incongruent with the cultural styles they have learned at home. When Afro-American children are presented with this value system, they are being taught to see the world through the eyes of those who enjoy majority status. It often has been suggested that the academic problems of Afro-American children might be alleviated if Black culture were brought into the classroom in a meaningful way.
