Motherhood So White: Truth, Love, and the Many Paths to Motherhood in America Today

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In this unflinching account of her parenting journey, the author examines the history of adoption in the African-American community, faces off against stereotypes of single, Black motherhood, and confronts the reality of raising children of colour in racially charged America.

The story every mother in America needs to read Everyone comes to motherhood differently, and while all moms have to deal with choosing baby names, potty training, finding your village, and answering your kid's tough questions, some moms have to deal with a lot more than that. Writer and professor Nefertiti Austin chose to start her family by adopting. She knew she wanted to adopt a Black boy out of the Los Angeles foster care system. She also chose to do it as a single mother. All those factors would make it tough enough, but Nefertiti hadn't bargained with the lack of resources available to her, or the pushback she would get from her own family. You see, Nefertiti is Black and the path she chose to follow was nearly unheard of in her community.

Like all great trailblazers, Nefertiti forged ahead. She wrote her own resources, chose a name, potty trained, and created a community. She is still answering tough questions, both the ones her son asks, and the ones that she is forced to confront because of the colour of her child's skin. In this unflinching account of her parenting journey, Nefertiti examines the history of adoption in the African American community, faces off against stereotypes of single Black moms, and confronts the reality of what it looks like to raise children of colour in racially charged, modern-day America. Honest, vulnerable, and uplifting, Motherhood So White is a fantastic book club read that will explore social and cultural bias, give a new perspective on a familiar experience, and spark meaningful conversations about what it means to be a mom in America today.

Reviews

"Both informational and inspiring, and is a much-needed addition to the literature of motherhood." - BookRiot
"Motherhood So White is a testament to the power of love as a radical act and an urgent call to reclaim motherhood from institutionalized whiteness." - BookPage
"Austin challenges readers to question the ideal of motherhood as being synonymous with whiteness. Along the way, she tackles the inherent sexism, classism, and racism within the adoption system and the broader community...an essential addition to the literature about adoption, reflecting a viewpoint that is sorely lacking.

" - Kirkus, STARRED review

"A moving and necessary corrective to the primarily white narrative on adoption." - Booklist
"Eye-opening, trenchant book, which helps to bolster the scant literature for African American adoptive parents that Austin has pioneered by blogging for publications such as MUTHA magazine and the Huffington Post...Austin's experiences, both positive and negative, are recounted in this fast-paced, heartwarming memoir of motherhood and adoption told through an African American lens." - Library Journal-STARRED review
"In this timely, insightful memoir, novelist Austin examines adoption and child-rearing as a single black woman confronting gender and racial bias...juxtaposing tender mother-child moments with the dangers facing African-American boys, Austin captures both the love and fear of her parenting experience in this powerful, spirited narrative." - Publishers Weekly
"Motherhood So White blew me away. Nefertiti's honest account of her unique journey to parenthood serves as a sharp reminder that in our society, parenting is not a colorblind experience. This is an important book for anyone committed to creating a more equal playing field for all our children." - KJ Dell, Antonia, author of How to Be a Happier Parent
"Austin's frank voice and determined spirit speak truth to the media powers that present #MotherhoodSoWhite, while relaying her history and thoughtful parenting decisions... a needed and important contribution." - Meg Lemke, Editor-in-Chief of MUTHA