ABSTRACT
The long-standing argument around African American families being broken down by slavery and contemporary racism is yet further complicated by the impact of the Great Recession of 2007–2009; slavery, contemporary racism, and many other factors, such as restrictive capitalism, have destabilized the black family. The organization of the family by blood relationships is characteristic of the African family structure and embodies a network of family units and relationship from which children and other family members derive social and emotional support. The theory of intersectionality assumes that discrete forms and expressions of oppression are shaped by each another. Research shows that structural factors are directly associated with family organization and other types of outcomes, including socioeconomic status and occupation. The birdcage analogy helps one grasp the insidious nature of racism, making it difficult to identify and to comprehend. The concept of “new racism” helps in understanding discrimination against African Americans in the housing and the lending markets.
