African Americans History

In precolonial West Africa , alcohol was used for ceremonial, medicinal, and social purposes with few problems (Christmon, 1995; Gossett, 1988; Herd, 1985a).

In America , alcohol was provided to slaves to promote compliance and prevent escapes (Harper, 1980; Genovese, 1974).

African Americans were part of the Temperance movement but moved away from the movement as southern prohibitionists became increasingly racist (Herd, 1985a&b).

As more African Americans migrated to northern cities, alcohol-related problems, including cirrhosis, increased (Herd, 1985a&b, 1989).

Today, many African Americans abstain for religious or other reasons. Others drink excessively, perhaps as an escape from discrimination, unemployment, limited options, or a reward after hard work (Harper, 1976; Moore, 1995).