May 7th 2024.
As Mother's Day approaches, millions of people around the world will take the time to celebrate the incredible mothers in their lives. Whether they gave birth, raised, or simply nurtured in any capacity, these special women will be showered with dinners, gifts, and acts of kindness.
But let's not forget about the power of books as gifts. In fact, there are many books out there that specifically celebrate Black mothers and motherhood. One of the most notable examples is Maya Angelou's renowned work, Mom & Me, Me & Mom. This book delves into the trials and triumphs of Angelou's relationship with her own mother, as well as her grandmother who raised her and her brother.
Another powerful read is Toni Morrison's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Beloved. The story follows Sethe, a former slave who manages to escape but is haunted by the memory of her baby girl, whom she was forced to kill to save from the horrors of slavery.
While there are many other books that honor Black mothers, BLACK ENTERPRISE has compiled a list of reads that celebrate different aspects of Black motherhood. Let's take a look at some of the titles on this list:
1.) Anna Malaika Tubbs: The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation
While most people are familiar with the names of James Baldwin, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X, not many know about the incredible women who raised them. Berdis Baldwin, Alberta King, and Louise Little were not only mothers, but also highly-educated and self-taught individuals. They passed down their love of learning and self-determination to their sons, who would go on to become iconic leaders. This book offers an inside look into the remarkable minds and influence of these three women.
2.) Jacqueline Woodson, Red at the Bone
Red at the Bone tells a powerful story of womanhood through multiple generations. The main character, Melody, is a teenage girl growing up in Brooklyn, raised by her grandparents. While she feels their love, she also becomes curious about her own mother, Iris, who gave birth to her as a teenager. As she uncovers the truth about her mother's struggles with an unplanned pregnancy and finding her own independence, Melody grapples with her own identity, sexuality, and class.
3.) Brit Bennett, The Mothers
In this debut novel, Brit Bennett explores the complexities of young love and motherhood. After her mother's suicide, Nadia Turner falls for a pastor's son and football star, Luke Shepard. As their relationship intensifies and they face unexpected challenges, the book raises important questions about the role of parents in our lives and the impact of decisions made in our youth.
4.) Dani McClain, We Live for the We: The Political Power of Black Motherhood
As a mother of a Black daughter, author Dani McClain set out on a journey to understand how to raise a child in a racist society. Through interviews with other Black mothers involved in social movements and her own personal experiences, McClain offers a unique perspective on the challenges and joys of Black motherhood. This book is a valuable resource for any Black parent looking for guidance and support.
5.) Alice Walker, In Search of Our Mothers Gardens: Womanist Prose
In this collection of essays, Alice Walker explores the collective motherhood of Black women. Drawing from her own experiences and stories from her mother, aunts, and other Black women writers, Walker reflects on the strength and resilience of Black mothers and their impact on the world. This book is a powerful tribute to the often overlooked role of Black women in society.
6.) Jamaica Kincaid, The Autobiography of My Mother
Lastly, we have The Autobiography of My Mother by Jamaica Kincaid. In this poignant novel, the author delves into the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship and how it can shape a person's life. Through the main character's journey of self-discovery and understanding her own mother's past, Kincaid offers a thought-provoking exploration of motherhood and its impact on our lives.
As Mother's Day approaches, millions of people around the world are getting ready to celebrate the mothers in their lives. These incredible women, who have birthed, raised, or nurtured in any way, will be showered with love, appreciation, and kindness through dinners, gifts, cash, and other gestures of gratitude. While all of these are wonderful ways to show our love and appreciation, let us not forget about the power of a good book. There are countless books that celebrate Black mothers and motherhood, each with its own unique perspective and story to tell.
One of the most well-known books in this genre is Maya Angelou's "Mom & Me, Me & Mom". This masterpiece delves into the trials and triumphs of Angelou's relationship with her own mother, as well as her grandmother who raised her and her brother. Another powerful read is Toni Morrison's "Beloved", a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that follows the story of Sethe, a woman who escaped slavery only to be haunted by the memory of her baby girl whom she had to kill to save from the horrors of slavery.
While there are many other books that celebrate Black mothers, BLACK ENTERPRISE has put together a list of reads that highlight different aspects of Black motherhood. One such book is "The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation" by Anna Malaika Tubbs. Despite the widespread recognition of these iconic activists and civil rights leaders, not much is known about their mothers - Berdis Baldwin, Alberta King, and Louise Little. This book sheds light on their incredible stories and the impact they had on their sons' lives.
Another must-read is Jacqueline Woodson's "Red at the Bone", a multi-generational novel that explores the complexities of womanhood through the eyes of its main character, Melody. Raised by her grandparents in Brooklyn, Melody uncovers shocking details about her mother's past and the struggles she faced as a teenage mother. The book delves into themes of identity, sexuality, education, and class, making it a thought-provoking and powerful read.
Brit Bennett's debut novel, "The Mothers", follows the story of Nadia Turner, a rebellious and beautiful young woman who falls for a pastor's son and football star, Luke Shepard. As their relationship deepens and they face unexpected challenges, the book raises important questions about the impact of our parents' decisions on our own lives. Similarly, "We Live for the We: The Political Power of Black Motherhood" by Dani McClain explores the complexities of raising a Black daughter in a racist society, with insights from interviews with Black mothers who are involved in social movements.
Alice Walker's "In Search of Our Mothers Gardens: Womanist Prose" is a collection of essays that examines the collective motherhood of Black women. Drawing on her own experiences and the stories of the women in her life, Walker explores the power and strength of Black motherhood and the impact it has on the world. Last but not least, "The Autobiography of My Mother" by Jamaica Kincaid is a powerful and poignant novel that follows the life of Xuela, a woman who grows up without a mother and must navigate the complexities of motherhood on her own.
As we celebrate Mother's Day and honor the incredible women in our lives, let us also take the time to appreciate the diverse and powerful stories of Black mothers and the impact they have on our world. These books offer unique perspectives and insights into the strength, resilience, and love of Black mothers, making them essential reads for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of motherhood and its complexities. So, why not consider giving the gift of a good book this Mother's Day?
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