When a Black Mother takes the Helm: Trisha Fraser is Going to Sue Pro-Life Groups

Standing stalwart face bearing the knowledge of the coming storm with melded limbs of moving muscles sensing the pending fight . . . they dig their feet, their pumps, their gym shoes into the dirt provoking . . . if not downright bear baiting the coming foe . . . yes, things begin to change when black mothers take the Helm.

As we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, I want to honor one Black mother, Ms. Trisha Fraser, who “not without a fight” energy illumines the power of standing against injustice for our children.

Trisha Fraser’s Story

On Tuesday, New Jersey mother Trisha Fraser announced she’s suing anti-choice groups that used images of her 6-year-old daughter for a race-baiting ad campaign. “The most dangerous place for an African American is in the womb” proclaimed billboards in New York and Florida that featured a then-4-year-old Anissa Fraser. Controversy over the ad erupted late last year when a billboard first went up near Manhattan’s high-traffic Holland Tunnel. The ad was by the Holland Tunnel for four months before it was taken down following complaints by city officials, Al Sharpton, and Trisha Fraser. But in February 2011, the billboard went up again, this time near a busy intersection in Jacksonville, Florida.

I tell you, I hope Ms. Fraser takes it all. I bet the Pro Life people did not think this would happen especially with a black mother at the helm. Given Ms. Fraser’s courageous story, I want to honor all black mothers who “not without a fight” energy has made the lives of black children full of promise.

Therefore:

To the countless black mothers who have been jailed for sending their children to better schools outside of their neighborhood zones, we pay tribute to you.

To the countless young black mothers who endure the gendered and racialized stigma of being “just another teen mom,” we pay tribute to you.

To the countless black mothers who are single by choice or by circumstance, we pay tribute to you.

To the countless black mothers who are transgendered or lesbian, we pay tribute to you.

To the countless black women who cannot bear children, but through their other mothering work have blessed countless numbers of children, we pay tribute to you.

To the countless colored school teachers who in spite of government blame continue to provide an education to our black children, we pay tribute to you.

As we prepare ourselves to celebrate Mother’s Day, let us all remember all the black mothers who stand at the helm.