“You Hope and Pray”: A Composite Counterstory of New Mothers’ Racism Experiences, Fears, and Plans to Address It for Their Children

Abstract

Utilizing the critical race theory framework, this article shares the emergent data from a larger study of new mothers that provided a composite counterstory of racism and plans to address racism with their children. Interviews of 12 African American women who were receiving Medicaid for pregnant women and delivered in a Southeastern hospital revealed that race and racism were underlying the variety of other topics discussed. Critical race theory provides a way of understanding their experiences and management of racism. Shared in the findings are applications to social work practice and education to address the racism that is experienced by African American women and their children.