‘‘Reclaiming our time’’: Black mothers cultivating the homeplace during times of crisis

Abstract

This collaborative auto-ethnography provides an account of the sociohistorical context of Black mothering in the United States and highlights how our complex, intersectional identities as Black-(other)mother-scholars shape our cultivation of the homeplace—a place where Black children are nurtured as “subjects, not objects,” in a society that aims to dominate black bodies. Drawing on Black feminism and Black Woman's Geographies, we document how time at home with our children during COVID-19 allowed for critical dialogue regarding racial injustice and exposure to culturally sustaining educational content endeavored toward resilience building. This work highlights the strength of Black mothers’ collective experiences in fostering resilience amidst crises. Societal implications of COVID-19 amidst ongoing racial traumas reify the need to reclaim not only our time as Black mothers, but also our voice, agency, and the spaces we cultivate for Black children's liberation. We also discuss recommendations for amplifying Black mothers’ voices in education policy efforts such that schools are better prepared to serve Black children.