Saturday, May 7, 2011

African American Mothers Day

Ruby Cameron-Coleman on her 83rd birthday 2010

Mothers are iconic in African-American culture because it ain’t easy being a black women trying to get an education (if you can), hold down a job and raise up children in this culture. The deck is stacked against black moms, statistically speaking, and yet most black people can tell you at least one story with tears in their eyes about their momma makin’ a way outta no way. Sacrificing, scrimping, saving — performing miracles on a regular basis, all too often on their own. Being the child of a black mother in America gives you a front row seat to some of the worst discrimination America has to offer a segment of her citizens. Black moms are stereotyped as lazy welfare queens yet work harder for longer for less money than most. Today is the day African-Americans come together to appreciate those whom society mostly under-appreciates.

I would like to take a moment to show apprecation to my wonderful mom. My mom is now 83 years old and I think the Lord God she is still here with us. Below is poem I wrote for her many years ago.

A MOM LIKE YOU

A MOM LIKE YOU
IS  A DREAM COME TRUE
WHAT WOULD WE HAVE DONE WITHOUT YOU?

A MOM LIKE YOU WHO WAS AND IS ALWAYS THERE
AND ALWAYS WILLING TO SHARE
HOW DID YOU MANAGE YEAR AFTER YEAR
TO GIVE US SUCH TENDER, GENTLE
AND LOVING CARE?

A MOM LIKE YOU WHO AROSED EACH MORNING BEFORE DAWN
MOVING AROUND IN THE KITCHEN WITH THE SPIRIT
OF A GENTLE FAWN
HOW DID YOU COOK ALL THOSE MEALS
AND MADE SURE ALL OUR WOUNDS WERE HEALED?

A MOM LIKE YOU WHO MADE SURE WE ATTENDED
CHURCH ALWAYS IN OUR SUNDAY BEST
ON THIS DAY YOU DID NOT REST
HOW DID YOU ENJOY THE SERVICE
WHEN WE ACTED UP, YOU DID NOT
SEEM AT ALL NERVOUS?

A MOM LIKE YOU I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH
FOR YOU GAVE ME A PURPOSE FOR LIVING
YOU WERE THERE
WHY DID YOU NEVER TIRE OF
GIVING?


Dedicated to my mom the love of my life.
By LELA COLEMAN
Copyright 1998
BY LELA R. COLEMAN