Perspective: Where are all the books for black moms?
By Adiba Nelson May 12 at 9:00 AM On the day my period was supposed to show up, I got nothing. Not even a fake cramp. Because I’d had a dream the previous night that my tooth had fallen out, and I come from a fairly suspicious Afro-Latin family, I immediately bought a pregnancy test. Then I got everything — a positive result, followed by nausea, tears, maniacal laughter and hyperventilation. They hit me all at once because, well – I had taken Plan B! I wasn’t supposed to be pregnant.
I wanted to know practical things as well, like how to get cradle cap out of my baby’s hair, if it was normal for my areolas to turn into giant Oreo-cookie-looking things, what the hell was happening to my skin – I looked like a cheetah, and what exactly do you do when your very brown self and your very brown partner produce a very white baby! Nothing. There weren’t even pictures of black moms in the humor book I got as a gift, “Porn for New Moms.
The reality of the situation was that if books for black moms did exist, the pickings were thinner than a Thin Mint. Today, a Google search will net you a few books you can purchase on Amazon, like the uber-popular The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Black Pregnancy; Black, Pregnant, and Loving It; and My Brown Baby: On the Joys and Challenges of Raising African American Children, which are also available in brick and mortar bookstores.
Now, some of you may say motherhood is motherhood, and as mothers we are all in this fight together, and that is true – to an extent. But black mothers raising sons are facing challenges and fears that a white mother will never have to experience. Like having to carefully pick out their sons’ clothing for school because we live in a world where wearing a hoodie and being a black boy might get them labeled “thug,” and their next outfit might be a funeral suit.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Perspective | The subtle but important message Duchess Meghan is sending new moms about giving birthIn a fitted white dress, Meghan showed the world something that many of her royal predecessors have covered up: what a woman’s body really looks like a mere 48 hours after birth.
Read more »
Perspective | I found this letter from my mom after she diedIt was one of the most shockingly bittersweet moments of my life.
Read more »
'I am completely changed:' 15 amazing, relatable quotes from celebrity momsThey inspire us -- Chrissy Teigen, Kristen Bell, Pink, Carrie Underwood and more -- for being open and honest about the joys and laughs of motherhood.
Read more »
27 Emotional Moments That Made Moms Think, 'I'm A Good Mom!'You Will Choke Up At These Moms Sharing The Moment They Knew They Were A Good Mom
Read more »
Mom who nearly died after childbirth has a message for moms this Mother's DayMother’s Day is always a special celebration for Alia McCants, not only because she is the mom of twin 4-year-olds but also because becoming a mom nearly cost McCants’ her life. McCants, 35, was close to becoming a statistic in what has become an alarming trend in the U.S., woman dying during and after
Read more »
27 Moms Share The Moment They Knew They Were A Good MomThese are the moments that make it all worth while.
Read more »
Perspective | On Mother’s Day, my daughter was 10 weeks old, and my mom had 3 weeks to livePerspective: On Mother’s Day, my daughter was 10 weeks old, and my mom had 3 weeks to live. How do you mark an occasion that celebrates the very relationship you are about to lose?
Read more »
Black patients, black physicians and the need to improve health outcomes for African AmericansResearch shows that physicians of color provide better care to patients of color. Kimberly Wilson started HUED Co. to help make the connections. - NBCBLK
Read more »
Meghan's mom 'overjoyed' at royal baby's birthMeghan's mum, Doria Ragland, is with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the royalbaby at their home and is 'overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild'
Read more »