Chapter 1: Shoulders on which I Stand

The media, whether print, social, or televised has depicted Black unwed or single mothers as broken, battered, bruised, needy, and angry dependents. Some of these depictions include exaggerated physical features and mannerisms or questionable morals as the constant that connects all Black single mothers together. Instead, this chapter focuses on the counterstory, the Black love, Black wealth and resilient spirit that lives within parenting as a Black single woman.

My family is what one might consider small. I was raised by a Black single mother who was also raised by a Black single mother. My parents were never married. My mother, grandmother and I were all roughly 30 years apart. I am the only child between both of my parents, although I was raised with an older sister who is 11 years older and who I was also not allowed to call a “half-sister” even though we only share the same mother. My other siblings, two sisters and one brother with whom I share a father were only called half siblings. I always wondered, but was never given an explanation.