The Black Son Pledge to Motherhood

Her presence comforts generations. Her love knows no limits.

The respect for your mother and the mothers of our community should be practiced throughout the year. The historical and spiritual journey of motherhood transcends space and time. The very essence of her being embodies the beginning of human life and remains a comforter throughout its span, until the spiritual transition. The depth and volume of her love and spiritual presence cannot be compared.

Mother’s Day should be celebrated every day of the year.Celebrating and acknowledging the women and mothers who provide life-sustaining substance, nurturing care, unconditional love, and purpose to our very being.

I, the son of a Black Woman, Solemnly Swear and Pledge:

• I will never abuse, injure, or put my hands on a Black woman.

• I will raise my children, or the children of the mothers I’m in relationship with.

• I will not sell guns or drugs to the children in my community.

• I will remember that we are sons of a collective womanhood, with many extended mothers in our communities—and I will respect them at all times.

• I will not molest or harm children in any way.

• I will not abuse women physically or emotionally.

• I will not kill or injure another mother’s son or child.

• I will support the mother of my children, whether we are together or not, to the best of my ability.

• I will not beat or injure the mother of my children or any child’s mother.

• I will not set the wrong example for young boys in how to treat and respect women.

• I will raise my family to the best of my ability, and always be there for emotional, social, cultural, and financial support.

• I will raise my sons not only to respect their own mother, but all mothers in our community.

• I will not keep guns or drugs accessible to the children in my care.

• I will not put mothers or children in danger through my actions or illicit behavior.

Holding on to love, praying for change.

May Allah continue to bless the mothers who have lost children to violence at the hands of other mothers’ sons, and bless the families who have been traumatized and grieving the emotional pain and injury perpetrated by violence. We ask God to touch the hearts of young men who have gone astray, and guide them back to the straight path.

This is a concrete, practical application of respect for the mothers of our community.

Happy Mother’s Day.