The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation [L0105]

2021 HCDJ in Gift-Worthy condition. In her groundbreaking and essential debut The Three Mothers, scholar Anna Malaika Tubbs celebrates Black motherhood by telling the story of the three women who raised and shaped some of America's most pivotal heroes: Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. Much has been written about Berdis Baldwin's son James, about Alberta King's son Martin Luther, and Louise Little's son Malcolm. But virtually nothing has been said about the extraordinary women who raised them, who were all born at the beginning of the 20th century and forced to contend with the prejudices of Jim Crow as Black women. These women used their strength and motherhood to push their children toward greatness, all with a conviction that every human being deserves dignity and respect despite the rampant discrimination they faced. These three mothers taught resistance and a fundamental belief in the worth of Black people to their sons, even when these beliefs flew in the face of America's racist practices and led to ramifications for all three families' safety. The fight for equal justice and dignity came above all else for the three mothers. These women, their similarities and differences, as individuals and as mothers, represent a piece of history left untold and a celebration of Black motherhood long overdue.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "The author did a fantastic job of researching these women. This book was inspired by the author becoming a mother herself and what it means to be a mother today. This book is absolutely phenomenal from beginning to end. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars."; "I am so grateful to Malaika Tubbs for writing this book. Aside from the important lessons shared, The Three Mothers were incredible women who 100% deserve to be known for their contributions to their families, communities and this world. I'm heartbroken pieces of their stories are long-gone and like Malaika Tubbs, can't help but think of all the other incredible women whose contributions, courage and strength have been lost in history. I whole-heartedly recommend this book."; "The text is gripping and illuminating. The content is heartbreaking, horrifying and infuriating. This is a reminder that great men come from somewhere, and their fathers are not the only influence upon their lives. In fact, in the cases of each of these greats: Malcolm X, Martin Luther King and James Baldwin, their mothers were critical to their senses of self worth and self-respect, and their education and strength. This was a terrific book, a necessary book, and a reminder of the great importance and impact of Black women and mothers on society."