As I entered motherhood as a black woman, there were a number of stereotypes that fill the space of who I’m supposed to be, and how I’m supposed to act, in order to continue this legacy of black motherhood.

Black moms are strong, they don’t play, they don’t have time, they are too stressed, you will not try them, they will give you something to cry for, and will only tell you one more time. A black mom who has a child who steps out of line or doesn’t jump back in line, at the tilt of her neck, or the cut of her eyes, is not parenting in the “black tradition.” She’s trying some “other shit” but will learn eventually that all her child needs, is a good butt whooping to get her child to “act right”. I’m of course speaking in quite general terms about the perception of black mothers. But it a perception grounded in reality. It feels like parenting in any other way is actually counter-cultural.