Our Black Sons Matteris a powerful collection of original essays, letters, and poems that addresses both the deep joys and the very real challenges of raising black boys today. From Trayvon Martin to Tamir Rice, the list of young black men who have suffered racial violence continues to grow. Young black people also deal with profound stereotypes and structural barriers. And yet, young black men are often paradoxically revered as icons of cultural cool.Our Black Sons Matter features contributions from women across the racial spectrum who are raising or have raised black sonswhether biologically their sons or not. The book courageously addresses painful trauma, challenges assumptions, and offers insights and hope through the deep bonds between mothers and their children. Both a collective testimony and a collective love letter,Our Black Sons Matter sends the message that black lives matter and speaks with the universal love of all mothers who fear for the lives of their children.

Contributions by Jacki Lynn Baynks, Shelly Bell, Deborah Binkley-Jackson, Meta G. Carstarphen, LaMar Delandro, Gretchen Givens Generett, Jane Anna Gordon, Farah Jasmine Griffin, Maria del Guadalupe Davidson, Susan Hadley, Carol E. Henderson, Dawn Herd-Clark, Elisheba Johnson, Heather Johnson, Newtona (Tina) Johnson, Jane Lazarre, Sara Lomax-Reese, Tracey McCants Lewis, Nicole McJamerson, Michele Moody-Adams, Elisha Oliver, Blanche Radford-Curry, Autumn Redcross, Tracey Reed Armant, Noliwe Rooks, T. Denean, Sharpley-Whiting, Treasure Shields Redmond, Sharyn Skeeter, Becky Thompson, Linda D. Tomlinson, Dyan Watson, Veronica T. Watson, Regina Sims Wright, Karsonya Wise Whitehead, and George Yancy.

George Yancy is professor of philosophy at Emory University, where he specializes in the study of African American philosophy and critical philosophy of race. He is a regular contributor to theNew York Timesblog The Stone and is author or editor of a number of books, including the award-winningPhilosophy in Multiple Voices andBlack Bodies, White Gazes.

Maria del Guadalupe Davidson directs the womens and gender studies program and co-directs the center for social justice at the University of Oklahoma.

Susan Hadley is professor of music and director of music therapy at Slippery Rock University. She is author or editor of several books, includingTherapeutic Uses of Rap and Hip Hop.

Acknowledgments
Introduction: For the Love of Our Sons, byGeorge Yancy

I: REFLECTIONS

1.Black Mother/Sons, bySara Lomax-Reese
2.Once White in America, byJane Lazarre
3.A Bottle of Mike Brown and Robin Williams, byShelly Bell
4.Dark Radiance, byBecky Thompson and LaMar Delandro
5.Why Being the Lone Black Friend of Whites Will Not Protect You, byNoliwe Rooks
6.The Box,byTracey Reed Armant
7.White Mama, Black Sons, byHeather Johnson
8.Watching and Waiting, byNicole McJamerson
9.The Trouble Ive Seen . . . and Why It Matters, byMeta G. Carstarphen
10.Inside/Outside, bySusan Hadley
11.Black and Blue: Stressing through to Dialogue, byDeborah Binkley-Jackson
12.A Black Jewish Boy Facing Manhood, byJane Anna Gordon

II: ESSAYS

13.Sacrificial Lambs : How Many Dead Bodies Is Enough?, byCarol E. Henderson
14.Reflections of Black Motherhood: Birthing Black Sons, byLinda D. Tomlinson
15.The War Within: Respect and the Predicament ofMothering Black Sons, byNewtona (Tina) Johnson
16.A Long Ways from Home?, byMichele Moody-Adams
17.T.H.U.G. (Talented, Humanistic, Unique, Gifted): Anthropology, Sentiments, and Narratives of Black Mothers and Sons, byElisha Oliver
18.A Fierce Love: The Unique Process of Nurturing, Educating, and Protecting Our Black Sons, byTracey McCants Lewis
19.Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, byVeronica T. Watson
20.Mothers and Their Black Sons: Struggling against Fears, Sorrows, and Hope, byBlanche Radford-Curry
21.Regarding Henry, byT. Denean Sharpley-Whiting

III: POEMS

22.A Love Poem for Michael Brown, byElisheba Johnson
23.Lamentations from a Black Mom, byDyan Watson
24.for Trayvon, byTreasure Shields Redmond
25.News of You, My Son, bySharyn Skeeter
26.Death Passes Twice, byAutumn Redcross

IV: LETTERS

27.Dear William, byGretchen Givens Generett
28.A Letter to CJ, byRegina Sims Wright
29.Killing/Saving/Loving Black Boys, byKarsonya Wise Whitehead
30.Anger, byJacki Lynn Baynks
31.A Letter to Dr. King: Please Keep Breathing, byMaria del Guadalupe Davidson
32.A Letter to My Sons, byDawn Herd-Clark

Afterword byFarah Jasmine Griffin
Notes
Resources
Index
About the Contributors