The only time I saw Black parents represented were to mention mortality rates during childbirth. It left me infuriated and frustrated. By Sadiyah Bashir Like any other pregnant Millenial/Gen Z-er excited about bringing new life into the world, I took to the internet to find cute baby clothes, nursery ideas, and maybe a quick tip...
Category: Parenting
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Why We Need To Free Black Mamas for Mother’s Day and Beyond
America’s criminal justice system is one that continually targets and disrupts the lives of Black mamas and caregivers everywhere. By Gloria Oladipo Black mothers in the United States are constantly under attack. Among crises such as medical racism in maternal care and continual demonization, Black mothers disproportionately face the threat of incarceration. For the 219,000...
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Say No to Forced Affection and Respect Children’s Bodies
It is important that even children understand this because rape culture doesn’t just bloom when you become college age. Picture this: Generic holiday movie. Old family member, bending a wrinkled cheek down to an elementary school age child. Well-meaning parents pushing them forward with, “Give great so-and-so a hug!” Usually played for laughs because this...
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Meet the People Who Won’t Be Having Children Because of Gun Violence
The gun crisis in America is so severe that people would actually have a child elsewhere with solid gun regulations, just not here. TW: this article contains descriptions of murder and gun violence. On October 28, 2000, I was with a dear friend when we were held at gunpoint during a robbery. The assailant shot my...
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An Honest Conversation With My Pre-Baby Self
It’s a little like living on Earth versus on Mars. I can tell you what it’s like on Mars, but you’re not experiencing the different weight of the air, the different gravity, the landscape and atmosphere. By Lisa Hsia A conversation between childless me (BC) and me now (ME), mother to a toddler. BC: Hey!...
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I Am Teaching My Son To Respect Me As A Black Woman & A Sex Worker
In every action I take I am teaching my son not only about his own freedom, but mine as a Black woman and mother-artist and sex worker, because these are my intersections. Many people have asked – both out of curiosity and vindictiveness – what I will tell my son when he is older about...
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Teaching My Son About Nudity and Consent is Essential
My nudity does not offend my son, because he has not been exposed to trivial conversations about modesty. My nudity means nothing to him. The other day I mentioned to one of my male friends that my son and I had been nude for days because of the heat and lack of air conditioning, and...
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We Need To Stop Hitting Our Kids, It’s Abuse
Videos of Black parents beating up on their children should not be entertaining. But I guess it’s easier to laugh at our own pain than to examine it. TW: Child abuse There was a viral video that went around last weekend, which I still haven’t watched completely, where a Black mother was hitting and screaming...
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Redditors Slam Single Dad Who Talked Mom Out of Abortion But Is Tired of Single Parenting
The site dubbed “The Front Page of the Internet,” Reddit, recently came through for abortion rights and the rights of a certain “deadbeat mom.” Reddit has a reputation for being anti-woman, a characterization which is not wholly accurate. While it does serve as home for plenty of fedora (correction: triby)-tipping mens’ rights advocates, the site...
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How I Relearned Self-Love After Giving Birth
You have done something incredible and your life has changed forever. You deserve some time alone. by Kathy Hardess You have read every book on what you should do or eat during pregnancy. The chances are that you’ve endured endless and often unasked advice from people claiming to know it all and know it better...