Work for black women has been an important and valued dimension of Afrocentric definitions of black motherhood.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the significance of black women's work in defining black motherhood from an Afrocentric perspective.
Patricia Hill Collins highlights that the contributions and labor of black women are integral to understanding black motherhood within the context of Afrocentric values and definitions. By acknowledging this, she asserts the importance of elevating these experiences and perspectives in discussions about motherhood and cultural identity.
In practice
In a discussion on the roles of women in cultural identity, one could reference this quote to highlight the unique contributions of black mothers.
Oppressed groups are frequently placed in the situation of being listened to only if we frame our ideas in the language that is familiar to and comfortable for a dominant group. This requirement often changes the meaning of our ideas and works to elevate the ideas of dominant groups.
To maintain their power, dominant groups create and maintain a popular system of 'commonsense' ideas that support their right to rule. In the United States, hegemonic ideologies concerning race, class, gender, sexuality, and nation are often so pervasive that it is difficult to conceptualize alternatives to them, let alone ways of resisting the social practices that they justify.
The role model approach to social change is no substitute for challenging unjust employment practices, educational policies and housing.
Challenging power structures from the inside, working the cracks within the system, however, requires learning to speak multiple languages of power convincingly.
Under the color-blind ideology of the new racism, Blackness must be SEEN as evidence for the alleged color blindness that seemingly characterizes contemporary economic opportunity.
Christine and I haven't raised our children. A whole community of selfless Christians has contributed to helping them become faithful, competent adults.
Motherhood is neither a duty nor a privilege, but simply the way that humanity can satisfy the desire for physical immortality and triumph over the fear of death.
A very rich person should leave his kids enough to do anything, but not enough to do nothing.
My parents taught me service - not by saying, but by doing. That was my culture, the culture of my family.
I made it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But all I want in this world is for my kids to say, 'He was a Hall of Fame dad.'
In 1971, Bossier City, Louisiana, there was a teenage girl who was pregnant with her second child. She was a high school dropout and a single mom, but somehow she managed to make a better life for herself and her children. She encouraged her kids to be creative, to work hard and to do something special. That girl is my mother and she's here tonight. And I just want to say, I love you, Mom. Thank you for teaching me to dream.
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