I am filled with outrage and sorrow. As I estimate I have about 15 minutes left to prepare dinner, my thoughts are consumed by the heartbreaking image of a Black man struggling for breath while a knee pressed against his neck. I take a moment to put cheese on the broccoli, knowing it’s the only way to ensure my kids will eat it instead of just pushing it around their plates.
Soon, it will be movie night—a tradition that has shifted from once a week to every evening since the pandemic reshaped our lives. We no longer frequent arcades, trampoline parks, or playgrounds. School is also out. While part of me feels relieved that my children are safe at home—far from a society that frequently views them as threats—another part of me is haunted by the thought of Breonna Taylor, who was shot in her own home, believing she was safe.
It’s been months since the tragic incident that claimed the life of the aspiring nurse and certified EMT. This occurred just days after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Racism, however, continues to be a persistent public health crisis, even if no national or global health organization officially recognizes it. The impacts are clear: anti-Black racism leads to untimely deaths and deep-seated trauma within Black communities. It causes physical and mental health issues that are often overlooked.
Researchers now understand that the chronic stress caused by racism has lasting effects, starting from a young age. Black women experience a heightened risk of complications during and after childbirth, while Black infants are 50% more likely to be born prematurely compared to their white counterparts. When our children enter schools, they face environments steeped in white supremacy, often encountering implicit biases that shape their educational experiences. We tend to the wounds inflicted when our children first hear racial slurs or are subjected to disproportionate disciplinary actions compared to their non-Black peers. These individualized and systemic experiences of racism are ongoing, with no end in sight. As the country begins to reopen, I hear other parents express their anxieties about sending their kids back to school—a sentiment that Black mothers know all too well.
After dinner, my kids are restless, so I channel my energy into keeping them engaged and entertained. The pandemic has thrust us into uncharted territory, but the struggle against racism is a constant battle for Black parents. There is no coordinated national effort to address the historical and ongoing impacts of racism in our lives. The excessive use of force and militarization of police against Black individuals remains unchecked, compelling us to continue advocating for the affirmation that Black lives matter. Black mothers will persist in nurturing resilient children who are aware of systemic inequalities while still experiencing joy and freedom.
Motherhood doesn’t pause because the world is in turmoil; in fact, many mothers are juggling work and childcare more than ever. The trauma we endure is compounded by the daily reminders of death, whether from COVID-19—where Black individuals are disproportionately affected—or from the heartbreaking stories of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. These collective experiences of grief and trauma are responses to two critical public health crises. Black mothers are left to navigate parenting through both.
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In summary, Black mothers face the dual challenge of parenting amid the ongoing health crises of racism and the pandemic, striving to nurture their children while confronting societal issues that threaten their well-being.
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