The Joys of Black Motherhood
Written by Janita Wiley, LSW
Scholars such as Leah Wright Riguer, Dorothy Roberts, Dani McCain, and Jennifer C. Nash, have studied black motherhood extensively, examining the crises, traumas, dysfunctions, broken homes, lack of access to resources, and overall struggles of the Black mother. While these challenges are of critical importance to learning about and improving the experience of the Black community, it is a great disservice to fail to acknowledge the joys of Black motherhood during Black History Month.
Black mothers are in unprecedented times as we recognize the opportunity to take pleasure in enjoying our children and families. Whether it's taking them to the park, watching them smile, undoing generational curses, or healing childhood trauma, Black mothers constantly strive to provide their Black babies with new experiences and better outcomes. We take joy in the ability to just be with our babies… to be present with them…to guide them…to simply be… mother and child.
To occupy time and space during this era in American history as a Black mom, I find my love of parenting unequivocally radical and celebratory for the little humans I birthed. I wake up in awe that I get to mother them. I’m in constant astonishment that, unlike many before me, I get to exclusively focus on being their mother. I’ve been privileged to nourish their bodies from my breast without first having to be the wet nurse to another's child— praying milk would be left over for my own. In addition to breastfeeding, Black mothers have more options for nourishing their children than ever before. I get to see my babies reach out to me knowing that I am their mother. I snuggle them close to me, holding onto the moment we share in time and space. What JOY it is to love your babies uninterrupted…without disturbance…without fear, doubt, or worry.
Photo by Jalisa Harris (2022)
As a Black mother, I now live in a world where I can choose joy for myself, and most importantly, for my children. I thank my ancestors who were robbed of this blessing. I thank them for their sacrifices. I thank them for my own motherhood. I thank them for the community of women and babies who look like I do... for the privilege to simply be…mother and child.
