Birthing Black Mothers

Black feminist theorist Jennifer C. Nash explores the political category of "Black mother" and challenges the one-dimensional portrayal of Black mothers as tragic heroes. She highlights the self-representations and public performances of Black motherhood that go beyond loss, acknowledging the complexities of Black motherhood outside its political usage. Nash proposes a Black feminist project that encourages readers to theorize, organize, and dream of new modes of Black motherhood.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 20 August 2021
Publisher: Duke University Press

In her groundbreaking work, Birthing Black Mothers, Black feminist theorist Jennifer C. Nash delves into the profound significance of the "Black mother" as a powerful political category. The concept of "mothering while Black" has evolved into a multifaceted phenomenon, simultaneously representing a crisis and a source of cultural fascination, empathy, and support. Black mothers are often portrayed as victims of trauma and suffering, particularly due to their proximity to Black death, particularly through medical racism and state-sanctioned police violence. However, Nash challenges these one-dimensional representations by examining Black mothers' self-representations and public performances of motherhood. She highlights the contributions of Black doulas, breastfeeding advocates, and celebrities like Beyoncé, Serena Williams, and Michelle Obama, who embody diverse modes of Black motherhood that transcend loss. Through cultural critique and in-depth interviews, Nash acknowledges the complexities of Black motherhood beyond its political currency. She imagines a Black feminist project that refuses to perpetuate the notion of locating the precarity of Black life in women and instead encourages readers to engage in theoretical exploration, organization, and dreaming to create new modes of Black motherhood. This thought-provoking work sheds light on the experiences and struggles of Black mothers, challenging societal narratives and advocating for a more inclusive and equitable understanding of Black motherhood.

Weight: 499g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478013501