A portrait of Serena Williams by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair, 2017.
This has certainly been a new era for African American woman. Last year, Black celebrity image makers have taken their message to a new level. While the women of "Hidden Figures" and "Girl Trip" did their thing at the box office, and Sloan Stephens and Venus dominated the tennis court. This year the women of Wakanda have provided us with diverse "Black Girl Power" images. While Beyonce and Serena are taking Black motherhood to another level. Their message is clear, we are strong, in charge and celebrating the joys of motherhood.
A message not taken lightly considering the problematic history of African American women. For almost three hundred years, they endured rape and abuse, and were forced to abandon their children while they nursed and raised other people's children. The pain and stress of their condition is still fresh in their DNA. In spite of this legacy, they have also been the pillar of their community choosing to be over comers.
Declaring that Black Motherhood is something to celebrate can only be the first step toward addressing the needs of raising African American children and nurturing their mothers. Now we need to focus on healthcare issues in the African American community like the high rate of maternal and infant mortality, low breastfeeding participation; the discrepancy in educational opportunities, financial problems, poverty, and mental depression.
Even with all their success both Serena and Beyonce have acknowledged the challenges of motherhood to both their bodies and their spirit.
