🧠

Understanding African-American Psychology and Empowerment

May 23, 2025

The Aware Show with Dr. Naeem Akbar

Introduction

  • Host: Dee Dee Sharp
  • Guest: Dr. Naeem Akbar
    • Recognized as a leading psychologist with an African-centered approach
    • Extensive career in academia, author, and influential speaker
    • Honors from numerous cities and awards, including the MLK Distinguished Scholar Award

Key Topics Discussed

Inner Power and Self-Rediscovery

  • Black Americans possess greater inner power than realized
  • Importance of rediscovering self to harness this power

Psychological Impact of Historical Oppression

  • Psychological scars from slavery and oppression
  • Distinct differences in the psychology of Black Americans due to historical context
  • Inherited struggles from years of oppression

Challenges in Self-Perception

  • Lack of knowledge about historical achievements before slavery
  • Struggles with self-esteem and self-worth
  • Negative impact of not recognizing African ancestry and achievements (e.g., Nile Valley civilization)

Self-Destructive Behaviors

  • Focus on superficial success rather than community building
  • Preference for assimilation rather than valuing African achievements
  • Issues with self-respect within the community

Education and Self-Knowledge

  • Importance of understanding African history and achievements
  • Critique of educational systems that omit African contributions
  • Advocacy for early education focused on African history

Influence of Historical Figures

  • Dr. Akbar's transformation influenced by figures like Malcolm X and the Civil Rights Movement
  • Advocated self-knowledge and transformation through understanding one's cultural history

Books and Publications

  • Wrote accessible books on African psychology for broader audiences
  • Key works: "Know Thyself", "Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery"
    • Focus on self-knowledge as foundational for empowerment

Visions for Black Men

  • Distinction between male/female and manhood/womanhood
  • Encouragement for positive role models and rites of passage

Cultural and Media Representation

  • Need for more positive African-American representation in media and literature
  • Criticism of current media portrayals and emphasis on entertainment

Personal Journey

  • Born Luther Weems Jr., later became Naeem Akbar
  • Influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and Black Power Movement
  • Transition driven by understanding self-worth beyond societal norms

Conclusion

  • Emphasis on self-love and community upliftment
  • Encouragement for individuals to engage in personal and community development
  • Dr. Akbar's work as an example of self-actualization through self-knowledge

This summary provides an overview of the main themes and discussions from "The Aware Show" with Dr. Naeem Akbar, focusing on African-American psychology, cultural history, and personal empowerment.

Full transcript