No one has the option to choose where he or she is born; however, they do have some control of the direction their life takes afterward. Not total control, but some control. The reason people do not have total control over the direction of their life is based on a psychological theory that relates environment to personality, in addition to the social structure they live within.

This work addresses the social structure of Black America as it relates to personality and environment, and attempts to explicate the social status of Black Americans and the problems we face in the American structure. According to psychologists, "personality is simply the sum of learned responses to the external environment and best understood by looking at features of that person's environment" (Feldman 2000).

With this theory (conceived by Euro-American philosophy), we will put into perspective why Blacks have a harder time surviving in America than the average white American. This is done by using the white man's concepts that he has documented as fact and applying them to the plight of Black America.

The purpose is to show that since Black Americans are predominantly congregated in tightly enclosed urban areas and catered to by second-hand economic places of business and institutions, and second-hand opportunities, this environment brings forth a mentality that clings to mostly every individual in that surrounding area. The mentality, be it negative or positive, is one that spreads and is implanted within the psyche of the residences.

Because of the lack of opportunity in low-income neighborhoods, the residences are vulnerable to pessimistic mood swings more often that not. In addition, alternative opportunities arise, such as illegal trafficking of various goods, which poisons the mind and drowns all hope for anything better.

When this person - who has soaked up this type mind-set - ventures into the world of professionalism, they have to adapt quickly to the standards set before them, and if they cannot, they are ostracized just as quickly. If, and when they are ostracized, this creates an inferiority complex - a situation in which adults have not been able to overcome the feelings of inferiority that they developed as children from living in negative environments.

Once a deep sense of inferiority sets into the psyche, it takes more effort to overcome and or convince that person that they can compete in a more demanding and more professional environment as the American workforce.

Employers have begun to use this sense of inferiority in low-income residences to deny them opportunities in the workforce. For example, if the speech pattern of low-income people is not as polished as the urban professional, they are slighted more often. And if they have not established a spotless credit record, driving record, or educational record, they are again under suspension by employers. Thus, the consequences of the environment on the personality can have negative affects, and the affects are being used by employers and other institutions to screen out potentials.

This fact is not difficult to comprehend seeing American society is partitioned by class, income, and educational level. Of course, people will express themselves from the environment in which they came because it is all they know from their birth. The speech pattern, the economic habits, and other characteristics of an environment neglected by mainstream trends have more devastating effects on some compared to others who are born into a more socially accepted environment.

Black America must create a value system within lower-income areas that would either solidify the base of an all Black sub-culture and society, or be more acceptable into the white mainstream society. Not to say that we should mold ourselves to fit into their world (for we have done that for the pass 100 years whereas before Blacks were molded by white society itself), but we should develop a social standard for the Black Americans who are born into the cycles of oppressed environments.

To do this, the Black community needs the expertise of successful Blacks from every area of occupational, educational, religious affiliation, and income levels. This would help expand the knowledgebase of the Black community and thus present more opportunities for future generations.

© 2004 By CR Hamilton