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Growing up in an African-American household, it is inevitable that there will be three important factors to a child's development. Their southern family roots including traditional values such as eating dinner together and respecting elders, their religious atmosphere, as well as the importance of acquiring an education. Those are the building blocks of many African-American's value and belief systems, as well as the foundation of their cultural and ethical structure. Typically these values and beliefs are cultivated through the strong guidance of Grandmothers, Aunts and Mothers, as Fathers spend minimal time in a child's life or are absent from the home all together.

One of the most important aspects of value building is attending church every Sunday morning followed by a dinner, in addition to Bible study during the week. These types of weekly religious services and bonding moments after Church at the dinner table facilitate in shaping self-identity, understanding of right and wrong, as well as understanding each individual's social responsibilities to the community and extended family. The healing process for African American families arises from church and the power of praying. When issues concerning mental health occur, such as stress or anxiety, church and god becomes the healing path. Church members collectively pray for those who need the guidance or assistance from the lord.

While Church helps to mold the African American child, it also aids in limiting their knowledge about the world's extremely diverse cultural makeup. Many African American's who attend a house of worship within or outside of their community are mirrors of the non-nuclear African-American family structure. Most of them have family reunions once a year, dinner together every Sunday and believe in having a family structure built on honesty, integrity and respect.

This type of upbringing, somewhat creates self-imposed limitations about various cultures, in addition to their belief and cultural values. The opinions and judgmental attitude created by this kind of environment might restrict an individual from successfully communicating and understanding others from a different culture. Other factors further, these restrictions of seeing a higher level of diverse cultures in an African-American community due to numerous dynamics, such as financial issues, impoverished locations and lack of development. Religious differences and communication barriers only facilitate further separating the African American family from the few cultures within their community.

Our nation is made up of many types of cultures, religions, languages, beliefs and values. The world itself is a melting pot of diversity, many nations with diverse cultures, religions, beliefs, values and languages, integrated together for a common goal of prosperity and tranquility. Yet, this gets lost in the translation of words and religions. Looking at the last decade in our nations history we can see how the lack of multicultural education and training has cost many nations the loss of life.

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