Mother’s Day
Doesn’t quite feel normal today
So much going on in the world
This week has been busy
Things are getting shaken up
I’m feeling so lost & angry
How to parent a black son through this crazy world
Alone
Solo parenting is a theme I often work through
Most of the time I feel blessed that I get to be my son’s parent, to spend every day with him, to enjoy the wonder that he is
But sometimes it feels hard
It feels hard while he’s trying to navigate the world
While he’s feeling the hate
While he’s working out how to grow into a kind man
Yet feeling attacked for being male
Perhaps feeling attached for being black (that narrative is harder to understand for both of us)
I empathise with boys and men, who haven’t been taught how to be in touch with their humanity, who struggle to be male, kind and loving
I know the narrative of blame is not helpful
I am really aware that we do live in a patriarchal society
The statistics say it all
It’s not all men, but it does appear to be all women (or most)
So those men saying it’s not all men
Do something
Use your power and your privilege
Show the next generation how to be powerful loving men
Use your power to overturn structural problems which keep women disempowered
Get in touch with your shame, work through it
Point out sexist and aggressive behaviour
We are waking up
Let’s keep doing the work
It’s time to change
Laura Hamblyn Holistic Healer 