CULTURAL BACKGROUND 1
Ariel N. Jones
Cultural Background and Biblically Informed Social Justice
COUC504: Multicultural Counseling
Professor Amanda Foster
Liberty University
October 12, 2025
Abstract
Cultural identity is an important part of shaping a person’s worldview, in how they
express their faith, and how one approaches advocacy. This paper explores how the African
American, Gullah Geechee, and Native American heritage often times reflects community,
resilience, and spirituality. It examines how historical migration from the Carolinas to Maryland
contributed to the preservation and loss of cultural traditions. Which later prompted
rediscovery and reflection. Using Cross’s Nigrescence Model of Black Identity Development as a
theoretical framework, this paper examines how racial and ethnic identity formation or the lack
thereof can influence empathy, counseling competence, and spiritual growth.
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Introduction
The more I learn about my roots, the more I understand the strength that runs through
my veins. Growing up, I always identified as African American, but I did not fully grasp the
richness of what that meant. My family’s stories were brief, and we mostly only talked about my
father’s heritage. My mother's heritage was full of scattered information mostly carried through
the memories of my great-grandmother. A woman of African American and Native American
descent from Mt. Gilead, a small town in North Carolina. My great-grandmother's life
represented endurance, strength, wisdom, and quiet dignity. Yet, there is still so much of her
story that remains untold. As time went on, the curiosity about my family’s past grew and the
desire to understand my identity not only through race but through our heritage. Through the
faith, history, and spirituality of our people.
Years ago, I began the journey of researching my ancestry. That research led me to
explore the Gullah Geechee people and the cultural traditions of the Carolinas. I felt a strong
connection to the Gullah Geechee people who were descendants of enslaved Africans that lived
along the coastal regions of the southeastern United States. Their culture, language, and
spirituality survived centuries of oppression. The Gullah Geechee people managed to preserve
their African heritage on American soil. Learning about the Gullah Geechee reminded me of
something I had always sensed spiritually but never fully understood. My roots are older and
even more sacred than I ever realized. This realization has reshaped how I see myself, my faith,
and my purpose.
This paper explores my cultural background through the combined heritage of the
African American, Gullah Geechee, and Native American lineages. It reflects how these cultures
have shaped our families' values, spirituality, and identity. This paper will also explore how
CULTURAL BACKGROUND 3
understanding the heritage of these three lineages influences our viewpoint on the formation of
racial identity, social justice, and what biblically based advocacy looks like for others.
I. Personal Background and Cultural Identity
A. Family and Ethnic Roots
My family's story begins in Mt. Gilead, North Carolina. It's a small town that can be
found at the base of the Uwharrie Mountains. This is known as the oldest mountain range in
North America. This region is rich in history and layered in resilience, and faith. My
greatgrandmother was of mixed African American and Native American descent. A racial
combination that was very common yet rarely spoken about in the South. My great-
grandmother embodied quiet strength, raising her children with limited education and means
but an abundance of love, faith, and perseverance. Although I do not have detailed genealogical
records, I know that her small-town upbringing and strong spiritual foundation influenced the
generations that followed her.
The Carolinas are also home to the Gullah Geechee people. The Gullah Geechee has
deep ties to the land there, as we all as to agriculture, and the community. Many of their ways
and traditions mirror the ways of my family. Their traditions such as storytelling, foodways, and
oral history mirror those passed down in my family. Although several relatives mention the
Gullah
Geechee people, I cannot confirm direct ancestry without genealogical testing.
However, it has long been a familial belief, and one that I hold as well. To this day I still
feel spiritually connected to the Gullah Geechee heritage, and their emphasis on faith, and
community. The continued preservation of the Gullah Geechee faith, and communal practices
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show how spirituality and identity remain deeply rooted within this culture (National Park
Service, 2023).
Bohecker et al. (2025), states that cultural self-awareness and reflecting on one's own
family history is important when it comes to understanding and empathizing with people from
different cultures in the counseling profession. Understanding these roots has deepened my
selfawareness as well as my capacity to connect with others in an authentic manner.
B. Awareness of Cultural Background
Growing up, I identified simply as “Black.” My cultural understanding came from what I
read, saw, or heard in my environment. There are things you don’t realize about yourself or the
way that you grew up until you experience another culture or another socio-economic class.
Everyone that I grew up around looked like me, or dressed like me and lived like me, but a few
blocks over, and you’ll see that some people lived better or even worse. I did not have a full
picture of where my people came from or what specific cultures shaped us. That awareness
began to shift as I got older and started asking questions about my family’s past, specifically my
mother’s.
As I grew into adulthood, I found myself drawn to cultural documentaries, books, and
oral histories about the Carolinas, about Native American tribes, and the Gullah Geechee
corridor. Even to this day I am still fascinated by the Gullah Geechee corridor, and my interest
has been re-ignited since learning of my partner's familial ties to South Carolina and that rich
history. Each piece of information I uncovered in my journey felt like God was guiding me to
understand more about who He created me to be. It also brought healing. There is a unique
kind of peace that comes when you realize your story is just not wrapped in pain or sadness as
CULTURAL BACKGROUND 5
much as the African American history is taught, but that it's also wrapped in purpose and deep
spiritual reverence.
C. Family Customs, Practices, and Values
Faith has always been the heartbeat of my family. Before I even knew what it was, I knew
there was something holding us together. In our hardest seasons, it is what always remains.
Faith is the anchor. I grew up surrounded by prayer, gospel music, and the unwavering belief
that God is the source of our strength. Sundays, at grandma's house, were sacred. They were
filled with family dinners, and lots of laughter that made my grandmother’s house feel alive.
Even though our family did not talk much about “heritage,” our customs reflected deep African
and Native roots. Communal meals, storytelling, natural remedies, and reverence for our elders
were a natural part of our lives.
Education and hard work have always been seen as the path to stability and
independence in my family. It was something that I once viewed as a thorn, but as I look back
now, I regard it with so much respect. Especially after learning that my great-grandfather never
had the chance to attend school, and my great-grandmother’s education ended after the first
grade. A history that many African American families are all too familiar with. Despite those
educational setbacks, my family modeled resilience in the face of adversity; they valued
perseverance and hard work, and they continuously showed grace even while under the
pressures of their reality. The women of my lineage were magnificent. They were strong
caretakers, prayer warriors, and peacemakers who often carried the weight of what it meant to
both provide and nurture. These values have shaped my character and the way I show up for
others, especially in counseling and ministry.
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D. Influence on Spirituality and Religion
My spirituality is inseparable from my cultural identity. From a young age, I learned and
saw faith not just as belief but as survival. It's a way of life that has kept generations before me
and will keep the generations that are coming after me. The African American church has always
been and will continue to be more than just a place of worship. The church is a place of refuge,
hope, and renewal.
As I have grown in my faith, I have realized how my Native and Gullah Geechee
influences also shape my spirituality. The Native reverence for creation and the Gullah emphasis
on community remind me that faith is both personal and communal. Over the past few years, I
believe there has been a huge emphasis on individualism, which could very well be a byproduct
of having to be isolated due to Covid, but I also believe that the time of individualism is coming
to an end. The importance of community is something that has continued to echo throughout
this past year for me, reminding me that connection is one of God’s greatest tools for healing
and for growth. Native American spirituality often emphasizes the importance of
interconnectedness, respect for creation, and balance between the physical and spiritual worlds
(Portman & Garrett, 2006). I am a firm believer that God speaks through nature, through
people, through history and I carry this understanding into my relationship with Him; seeing
faith as communion rather than performance, and in doing so allows me to think and encounter
Him in limitless ways.
E. Newly Discovered Information
One of the most interesting discoveries through this process was coming to the
realization that silence was often used as survival. At one point I viewed it as a weakness, but
CULTURAL BACKGROUND 7
I've come to understand that sometimes the older generations often avoided talking about their
race or
ancestry to protect their children from pain and even discrimination. A part of history that felt
like a willful absence I now view through the lens of protection.
Discovering even the smallest pieces of my lineage has brought a sense of wholeness
that I didn't really know I was missing. Being able to learn about the Gullah Geechee, about
their language, their crafts, and even their worship practices has given me a deeper
appreciation for the faith and creativity of my ancestors and their ability to carry legacy despite
oppression.
F. Comparison with Other Cultures
Growing up in Maryland, I was surrounded by many different cultures; Asian, Haitian,
Hispanic, and White. My neighborhood alone seemed like a melting pot. The neighborhood
daycare lady was Hispanic, the ice cream driver was Caucasian, and the bodega on the corner
was owned by the Korean guy who knew everyone’s name. Community back then was so
unique. As a kid, you didn’t fully understand the racial and cultural differences; we were all just
people. And I was just a kid that fell in love with stewed chicken and plantains, and an adult who
cries whenever she gets authentic Spanish rice that reminds me of my daycare provider. For the
most part, the interactions I had were positive, filled with kindness and curiosity. The other
interactions, the negative and the racist ones weren’t the best but experiencing both sides
taught me empathy and the importance of cultural humility.
The positive encounters I had broadened my worldview in a way that reminded me that
although our cultural expressions may be different, the human desire for belonging is the same
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for all of us. The negative experiences, such as being stereotyped or dismissed because I didn’t
look the part or talk a certain way, showed how easily people will judge what they do not
understand or are even intimidated by. Rather than letting those situations harden my heart, I
allowed those moments to deepen my compassion and my resolve to treat others with the
respect I desired and know I deserved.
II. Influence on Racial/Ethnic Identity Development
An understanding of heritage reshapes not only one's self-perception but also how they
see others and how they see those people form their own identity. For many African Americans,
racial identity starts out vastly broad and undefined but over time and through life experiences
a person's identity takes shape and continues to become even more defined through
introspection.
William Cross’s (1991) Nigrescence Model breaks this growth down into five stages:
PreEncounter, Encounter, Immersion-Emersion, Internalization, and Internalization-
Commitment.
These stages mirror both cultural awakening and spiritual renewal.
The early stages of a person's identity often involves limited awareness. The person's
identity is accepted without fully exploring what it means. The more a person is exposed to the
history, faith, and familial resilience of their heritage, feelings of grief and pride may arise as a
result of recognizing both the loss and divine redemption within the heritage. Immersion brings
intentional learning and reconnection with African American and Gullah Geechee traditions,
restoring cultural pride and spiritual purpose. (Sue & Sue, 2022) (Cross, 1991)
CULTURAL BACKGROUND 9
Years ago, I attended a Haitian Flag Day festival and was awe-struck on the massive turn
out, the warmth of the community and the festivities. I remember speaking with an older
Haitian gentleman who shared with me that he believed African Americans often struggle with
pride in their culture. He did not say it with judgment, but with empathy. He explained that he
believed our lack of pride was not a result of our own neglect, but of the many generations that
came before us, because they did not know who they were. Because we didn't know who we
truly were as a people, we lacked our foundation, our true origin stories, and thus, we
inadvertently lacked our identity. The Haitian community knew who they were, they were proud
of who they were even here in America. They still held onto their origin stories. Sue and Sue
(2022) emphasized that developing a healthy racial identity allows an individual to move beyond
internalized bias and toward cultural pride and self-acceptance. Thus, leading to greater
empathy and multicultural competence. Internalization unites culture and faith, revealing that
heritage and Christianity are not in conflict but beautifully integrated reflections of God’s design.
In the final stage of Cross’s model, awareness transforms into empathy and advocacy and
identity becomes purpose. This growth gives room for cultural humility, and an understanding
that embracing one’s roots is not about superiority but restoration. By understanding this
developmental journey, counselors are able to create safe spaces for clients to explore their
identity, and their faith without fear or shame. (Sue & Sue, 2022) (Cross, 1991)
III. Cultural Background and Biblically Informed Social Justice
The historical and cultural traditions of African American, and Gullah Geechee heritage
provides a broader understanding of how faith and justice can go hand in hand. The Gullah
Geechee people exemplified self-sufficiency and solidarity rooted in biblical principles.
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Principles such as stewardship and hospitality. (Joyner, 1984; National Park Service, 2023).
Similarly, the church was seen as a place of safety, an edifice of moral learning and a platform
for justice in the African American tradition. This history shows that social justice in these
communities was never just a political movement, it was a spiritual response to the command
to love one’s neighbor and honor the image of God in every single person (Lincoln & Mamiya,
1990).
The ability to understand other cultures affects how we see justice and advocacy in
totality. Understanding the sacrifices and faith of the previous generations provides a
foundation for approaching justice as sacred work rather than social performance. It serves as a
reminder to both counselors and advocates that equality is not determined by society as many
would like to believe but by God. The Bible says that justice is an attribute of God and a duty of
His people.
Micah 6:8 calls for believers to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, while Isaiah
1:17 urges people of faith to seek justice, encourage the oppressed, and defend the cause of the
fatherless. These biblical precepts parallel the cultural legacy of moral responsibility and
communal endurance that has been passed down through generations. (Micah 6:8; Isaiah 1:17,
New International Version)
In counseling, this awareness shapes our approach to social justice in a way that seeks to
restore and reconcile rather than divide. Recognizing the resilience within the African American
and Gullah Geechee traditions should encourage counselors to see their clients not as victims in
need of rescue but as people with inherent strength, wisdom, and dignity (Sue & Sue, 2022).
This viewpoint also aligns with the Christian belief that all people are made in the image of God
and thus are worthy of respect and redemption. When this is put into practice, culturally
CULTURAL BACKGROUND 11
informed advocacy becomes a way to partner with clients in their own healing rather than
imposing external beliefs or solutions.
Biblically informed social justice does not sacrifice truth for the sake of comfort, nor does
it sacrifice truth out of fear. It recognizes systemic injustice and stands firm in the face of
political ideology. God’s truth provides the standard by which justice should be discerned and
pursued. With this lens in mind, advocacy is not driven by personal bias or popular trends or
what benefits one group over another. Advocacy is driven by compassion. Jesus’ ministry is the
ultimate example. He consistently uplifted the oppressed while remaining faithful to scripture.
(Yancey, 2003).
Learning about how previous generations of my family expressed faith through service
reinforces the understanding that advocacy should be rooted in biblical truths and cultural
awareness. The faith of my ancestors demonstrates that justice rooted in Scripture and cultural
awareness, produces healing that honors both God and humanity. For counselors and believers
alike, this integration ensures that advocacy is carried out not through worldly conformity but
through the compassionate truth of Christ, who came to set captives free and reconcile all
people to Himself (Vera & Speight, 2003)
Conclusion
Exploring the layers of my African American, Gullah Geechee, and Native American
heritage has deepened my understanding of both identity and purpose. This journey began
years ago as a young adult curious about her family's history and where they came from. I never
would have thought that I'd find the richness of culture and spirituality. Each tradition is rooted
in endurance, faith, and community and reveals how God has worked through generations to
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preserve strength and hope. An awareness that is needed even more with the times that we are
living in. This awareness also shapes how I view myself and how I walk alongside others in my
profession as a counselor and also as a believer. This journey has taught me that embracing
cultural identity does not compete with faith. It in fact completes the image, the design, that
God created for His people. Understanding who I am in my heritage and in my relationship with
Christ allows me to better relate to people as well as advocate for others with a heart of
empathy, humility, and conviction.
References
Bohecker, L., et al. (2025). Introduction to multicultural counseling. Liberty University Press.
Cross, W. E., Jr. (1991). Shades of Black: Diversity in African American identity. Temple University
Press.
Joyner, C. (1984). Down by the Riverside: A South Carolina slave community. University of Illinois
Press.
Lincoln, C. E., & Mamiya, L. H. (1990). The Black church in the African American experience. Duke
University Press.
National Park Service. (2023). The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. U.S. Department
of the Interior. https://www.nps.gov/guge/index.htm
Portman, T. A. A., & Garrett, M. T. (2006). Native American healing traditions and counseling.
Journal of Counseling & Development, 84(3), 384–389.
Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2022). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice (9th ed.).
Wiley.
The Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Zondervan. (Original work published 1978)
Vera, E. M., & Speight, S. L. (2003). Multicultural competence, social justice, and counseling
psychology: Expanding our roles. The Counseling Psychologist, 31(3), 253–272.
Yancey, G. (2003). One body, one spirit: Principles of successful multicultural churches.
InterVarsity Press.
