Our Black Sons Matter

George Yancy is professor of philosophy at Emory University, where he specializes in the study of African American philosophy and critical philosophy of race. He is a regular contributor to the New York Times blog “The Stone” and is author or editor of a number of books, including the award-winning Philosophy in Multiple Voices and Black Bodies, White Gazes.Maria del Guadalupe Davidson directs the women’s and gender studies program and co-directs the center for social justice at the University of Oklahoma. Susan Hadley is professor of music and director of music therapy at Slippery Rock University. She is author or editor of several books, including Therapeutic Uses of Rap and Hip Hop.

• Acknowledgments Introduction: For the Love of Our Sons, by George YancyI: REFLECTIONS 1. Black Mother/Sons, by Sara Lomax-Reese2. Once White in America, by Jane Lazarre3. A Bottle of Mike Brown and Robin Williams, by Shelly Bell4. Dark Radiance, by Becky Thompson and LaMar Delandro5. Why Being the Lone Black Friend of Whites Will Not Protect You, by Noliwe Rooks6. The Box,by Tracey Reed Armant7. White Mama, Black Sons, by Heather Johnson8. Watching and Waiting, by Nicole McJamerson9. The Trouble I’ve Seen . . . and Why It Matters, by Meta G. Carstarphen10. Inside/Outside, by Susan Hadley11. Black and Blue: Stressing through to Dialogue, by Deborah Binkley-Jackson12. A Black Jewish Boy Facing Manhood, by Jane Anna GordonII: ESSAYS 13. Sacrificial Lambs : How Many Dead Bodies Is Enough?, by Carol E. Henderson14. Reflections of Black Motherhood: Birthing Black Sons, by Linda D. Tomlinson15. The War Within: Respect and the Predicament ofMothering Black Sons, by Newtona (Tina) Johnson16. A Long Ways from Home?, by Michele Moody-Adams17. T.H.U.G. (Talented, Humanistic, Unique, Gifted): Anthropology, Sentiments, and Narratives of Black Mothers and Sons, by Elisha Oliver18. A Fierce Love: The Unique Process of Nurturing, Educating, and Protecting Our Black Sons, by Tracey McCants Lewis19. Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, by Veronica T. Watson20. Mothers and Their Black Sons: Struggling against Fears, Sorrows, and Hope, by Blanche Radford-Curry21. Regarding Henry, by T. Denean Sharpley-WhitingIII: POEMS 22. A Love Poem for Michael Brown, by Elisheba Johnson23. Lamentations from a Black Mom, by Dyan Watson24. for Trayvon, by Treasure Shields Redmond25. News of You, My Son, by Sharyn Skeeter26. Death Passes Twice, by Autumn RedcrossIV: LETTERS 27. Dear William, by Gretchen Givens Generett28. A Letter to CJ, by Regina Sims Wright29. Killing/Saving/Loving Black Boys, by Karsonya Wise Whitehead30. Anger, by Jacki Lynn Baynks31. A Letter to Dr. King: Please Keep Breathing, by Maria del Guadalupe Davidson32. A Letter to My Sons, by Dawn Herd-ClarkAfterword by Farah Jasmine GriffinNotes ResourcesIndex About the Contributors

For mothers of black sons, the basic concerns of motherhood are compounded by worry about whether their sons will even survive to manhood. This collection gives voice to that concern as women (mostly, though not all black) from a range of ages, religions, and nationalities write of their hopes and fears for their black sons. The editors begin by discussing how the fear of young black men heightens the threat to their lives as they become objects of suspicion and violence, bloodshed that is often justified as protection of the broader, read white, society. In poems, letters, and essays, the contributors recount now-infamous cases from Emmett Till to Trayvon Martin and their own day-to-day encounters with the racism that threaten the lives of their sons. Many describe the transformation from their sons’ childhood cuteness to the 'threat' adolescents represent, others learn the hard lessons of racism as their adopted sons grow into young black men. One mother navigates the painful experience of her son suffering from depression and her concerns about a counselor who couldn’t see beyond his skin color. This collection offers powerful and thoughtful reflections on the impact of racism on black males and the women who witness and offer as much love and protection as they can.