What is the meaning of "Modern Day Black Momma®?"

(U.S. English Phonetic Pronunciation)Noun. mɑdə˞n/ˈdeɪ /ˈblæk/ˈmɑmə DEFINITION 1. Any indigenous African female chattel slave who was kidnapped, sold or given as a gift and forced into chattel slavery before or during the European colonization era.2. A free displaced African/Black female descendant (in the African Diaspora) of an indigenous African chattel slave, who was kidnapped, sold or given as a gift and forced into chattel slavery before or during the European colonization era. (e.g., Black women within the African Diaspora who have been displaced outside of the continent of Africa. Or, African American women displaced from their indigenous homeland of Africa and forced to live in different geographical locations throughout the world and are no longer subjected or controlled through chattel slavery).3. A Black woman or a group of Black women in any part of the geographical world. 4. African Diaspora. African people who were involuntarily dispersed or spread throughout the world in the British Colonies of North America, New England and the Western United States of America from their original homeland of Africa. "BLACK MOTHER" REDEFINED In today's society, the role of the Black mother has always been a powerful and influential force. However, it was not until author Felice Bois introduced the term "Modern Day Black Momma®" in her 2006 poem, that the true significance and impact of Black women as mothers was formally recognized and redefined. Felice Bois, a trailblazing author, spoken word artist, creative writer and advocate for women of color, first coined the term "Modern Day Black Momma®", shedding light on the unique experiences and challenges faced by Black mothers in their daily lives. Her powerful poem quickly gained recognition, leading Felice Bois to self-publish her work in May 2009. Since then, the phrase "Modern Day Black Momma®" has become a widely recognized and celebrated term, representing the strength, resilience, and unwavering love of Black mothers everywhere. Felice Bois' visionary writing not only redefined the role of Black women, but also opened the doors for important conversations and discussions surrounding race, motherhood, and self-acceptance. Today, the Modern Day Black Momma® is more than just a phrase, it is a movement. It serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role that Black mothers play in shaping the world, and a testament to the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child. Felice Bois' contribution to the lexicon of motherhood is one that will continue to inspire and empower generations to come. Q&A Q: Can women of other national races identify as a "Modern Day Black Momma®?" A: No and yes, in some instances. Here's a three part answer: 1) No, based on origin of Black oppression. If the woman (who is not African/Black) has not lived and identified publicly the entirety of her life as a Black woman and has not suffered as a Black woman, then no, because the origin of a "Modern Day Black Momma®" has a life history of racial Black oppression due to other national races who identify themselves as superior beings to the Black race. Furthermore, if the (non-Black) woman, of a different national race doesn't suffer from the burden of and tyranny of oppression in her day-to-day life as a Black woman, then she has no right to identify as a Black woman. She is not a "Modern Day Black Momma®". 2) Yes, culturally many women from other racial backgrounds, who are not African/Black can identify as a "Modern Day Black Momma®" because they live in similar geographic locations throughout the world as Africans/Blacks and share the same religious beliefs, cook and eat the same foods; they emulate Black hairstyles, Black fashion and the Black speech dialect, or they "talk Black", like Black people and unapologetically embrace the authentic experiences of Black culture and in some instances, allude to the desire to be a Black woman. Moreover, they also date and/or marry Black men, birth mixed race children giving the child a direct birth right to Black lineage. Subsequently, these women also have mixed race Black grandchildren, nieces and nephews. This type of intertwining of mixed races gives direct insight to the mother, grandmother or aunt (who is non-Black) must now learn to suffer with, care for, love and protect her Black child who will always be a national target of racial discrimination geographically and under political control in colonized areas of the world. Despite the fact many women from different racial backgrounds (usually Caucasian, Mexican, and Asian women) blend in with the Black culture, the pure reality is - they do not suffer geographically, physically, phychologically or emotionally as African/Black women. But, distinctly, they can potentially identify as a "Modern Day Black Momma®" culturally as long as the women intergrate within the Black culture with benevolence and are not exploiting the humanity of Black culture with infirmities. 3) By lineage, no. All women are from African lineage but do not identify racially as a Black woman because centuries ago, the world was divided into categories of national races, ethnicities and nationalities, subsequently, many women geographically, have not lived or suffered as Black women, therefore would not be a "Modern Day Black Momma®" based on the lineage of their African ancestors. In my final words, a woman can claim whatever ethnicity or race she chooses, unashamed, but realistically, every woman is who she has lived to become without regard to the color of her skin. ~ Felice Bois © MDBM Records, 2024