Full Description
Our Black Sons Matter is a powerful collection of original essays, letters, and poems that addresses both the deep joys and the very real challenges of raising black boys today. From Trayvon Martin to Tamir Rice, the list of young black men who have suffered racial violence continues to grow. Young black people also deal with profound stereotypes and structural barriers. And yet, young black men are often paradoxically revered as icons of cultural cool. Our Black Sons Matter features contributions from women across the racial spectrum who are raising or have raised black sons—whether biologically their sons or not. The book courageously addresses painful trauma, challenges assumptions, and offers insights and hope through the deep bonds between mothers and their children. Both a collective testimony and a collective love letter, Our Black Sons Matter sends the message that black lives matter and speaks with the universal love of all mothers who fear for the lives of their children.
Contributions by Jacki Lynn Baynks, Shelly Bell, Deborah Binkley-Jackson, Meta G. Carstarphen, LaMar Delandro, Gretchen Givens Generett, Jane Anna Gordon, Farah Jasmine Griffin, Maria del Guadalupe Davidson, Susan Hadley, Carol E. Henderson, Dawn Herd-Clark, Elisheba Johnson, Heather Johnson, Newtona (Tina) Johnson, Jane Lazarre, Sara Lomax-Reese, Tracey McCants Lewis, Nicole McJamerson, Michele Moody-Adams, Elisha Oliver, Blanche Radford-Curry, Autumn Redcross, Tracey Reed Armant, Noliwe Rooks, T. Denean, Sharpley-Whiting, Treasure Shields Redmond, Sharyn Skeeter, Becky Thompson, Linda D. Tomlinson, Dyan Watson, Veronica T. Watson, Regina Sims Wright, Karsonya Wise Whitehead, and George Yancy.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction: For the Love of Our Sons, by George Yancy
I: REFLECTIONS
1. Black Mother/Sons, by Sara Lomax-Reese
2. Once White in America, by Jane Lazarre
3. A Bottle of Mike Brown and Robin Williams, by Shelly Bell
4. Dark Radiance, by Becky Thompson and LaMar Delandro
5. Why Being the Lone Black Friend of Whites Will Not Protect You, by Noliwe Rooks
6. The Box,by Tracey Reed Armant
7. White Mama, Black Sons, by Heather Johnson
8. Watching and Waiting, by Nicole McJamerson
9. The Trouble I've Seen . . . and Why It Matters, by Meta G. Carstarphen
10. Inside/Outside, by Susan Hadley
11. Black and Blue: Stressing through to Dialogue, by Deborah Binkley-Jackson
12. A Black Jewish Boy Facing Manhood, by Jane Anna Gordon
II: ESSAYS
13. Sacrificial Lambs : How Many Dead Bodies Is Enough?, by Carol E. Henderson
14. Reflections of Black Motherhood: Birthing Black Sons, by Linda D. Tomlinson
15. The War Within: Respect and the Predicament ofMothering Black Sons, by Newtona (Tina) Johnson
16. A Long Ways from Home?, by Michele Moody-Adams
17. T.H.U.G. (Talented, Humanistic, Unique, Gifted): Anthropology, Sentiments, and Narratives of Black Mothers and Sons, by Elisha Oliver
18. A Fierce Love: The Unique Process of Nurturing, Educating, and Protecting Our Black Sons, by Tracey McCants Lewis
19. Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, by Veronica T. Watson
20. Mothers and Their Black Sons: Struggling against Fears, Sorrows, and Hope, by Blanche Radford-Curry
21. Regarding Henry, by T. Denean Sharpley-Whiting
III: POEMS
22. A Love Poem for Michael Brown, by Elisheba Johnson
23. Lamentations from a Black Mom, by Dyan Watson
24. for Trayvon, by Treasure Shields Redmond
25. News of You, My Son, by Sharyn Skeeter
26. Death Passes Twice, by Autumn Redcross
IV: LETTERS
27. Dear William, by Gretchen Givens Generett
28. A Letter to CJ, by Regina Sims Wright
29. Killing/Saving/Loving Black Boys, by Karsonya Wise Whitehead
30. Anger, by Jacki Lynn Baynks
31. A Letter to Dr. King: Please Keep Breathing, by Maria del Guadalupe Davidson
32. A Letter to My Sons, by Dawn Herd-Clark
Afterword by Farah Jasmine Griffin
Notes
Resources
Index
About the Contributors
