Why We Are Crazy by Dr. Naim Akbar | Episode 3

A distinguished scholar, author, and speaker, Dr. Na’im Akbar has accumulated numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career. He was awarded the Distinguished Psychologist Award from the National Association of Black Psychologists, and Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania and Lincoln University. Akbar has also been given commemorative days on his behalf in six major cities across the United States, and was named a Development Chief in Ghana, West Africa. Dr. Akbar has also served on the Boards of Directors of numerous organizations, including the National Association of Black Psychologists, for which he served as the president from 1987 to 1988. Akbar has been featured in newspapers and magazines both nationally and internationally, including The Washington Post and Essence Magazine.

Dr. Akbar also addresses some of the relevant issues regarding Cross' model of Nigrescence and its translation to counseling. Akbar relates that the major unresolved issue for counseling purposes is a problem of definitional clarity. Different counseling solutions are dependent on the perceived cause of African American identity formation; identity formation as a result of a negative encounter or negative social experiences should result in different counseling from identity formation due to a positive encounter, or the affirmation of one's racial/cultural core identity.

Enjoy this classic "Digital Video Magazine" from the 21st Century Underground Railroad Series Narrated by the Chief Conductor - John Raye.