It is undeniable when you turn on your television today, that you will see and hear about negative stories regarding black men in the media. Day after day, month after month, year after year, the body count grows in street wars and among those who are incarcerated. It is very difficult to look at the black man with trust, honor, beauty, and wonder when our minds are filled daily with obsessive tales of discrimination and injustice. From the innocent being killed to the youth all of sudden disappearing into an abounding system that builds a case against them before they have even reached adulthood, it is hard to truly see into the heart of black man in modern-day America. Land of the free. Home of the brave…..
Why such a solemn opening? Simple; “the revolution is not being televised.” A generation, who may not have ever known their own fathers, is right in the midst of an unfamiliar family dynamic. One that chooses the honoring of the mother who has dedicated herself to nourishing and nurturing her young by breastfeeding and expressing milk. According to an interesting study published by the CDC in 2013, black men are at least involved, and in some cases much more involved in the lives of their children as fathers of other races. The next generation of black children are being raised by MEN. Gentlemen. These mothers, although some stay at home, are primarily mothers in the workplace, returning to work as early as 6 weeks postpartum due to the lack of paid family leave. They are exclusively breastfeeding by pumping around the clock and nursing when they are with their babies. They are standing up against the statistics that say they breastfeed less than their white and latina counterparts by breastfeeding past six months and seeking support to nurse past one year. These moms are striving to give their baby their very best. They should be celebrated considering the history of black breastfeeding in the United States. And the best part about that: the baby’s father is right by her side. He is bonding with baby in the moments that she is away through skin to skin, co-sleeping, bed-sharing, bottle-breast-milk feeding and so forth.
These men are sub-consciously remembering the ancient wisdom of their ancestors. It is awakened when baby is first laid on their chest. The heartbeat of baby during these moment beats stronger than dad’s as baby carries the wisdom of old into the world. These men are forever instilling love, strength, kindness, wisdom and patience into our youth. These “breastfeeding fathers” will, one day, be our black history.
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Something astonishing happened recently in an online Breastfeeding Group For Black Moms created by the hosts of the Mocha Milkies Cafe podcast. A mom shared the image above and asked other group members to share similar images in the comments of her original post. More than 250 images were shared and my response to each one was pure joy!!
With over 8,000 members in the closed Facebook group, Dominique Gallo (IBCLC) and Shlonda Smith (CLC) try their best to consistently moderate the group of women seeking online support with the help of Stacy Yeager-Huddleston, PhD. They help to facilitate when posts are off topic and also make it a point to provide evidence based information about pumping, low supply, the proper way to supplement with formula, and how to hand express breast milk.
Without further delay, here are the images below that were shared that evening and the thread continues to resurface. WARNING you may need a box of tissues!!!
The photos will be here waiting, if you want to go grab some…enjoy and don’t forget to share.
These images represent the revolution within a culture that is incredibly misunderstood by the media. These images NEED to be seen.
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
Mocha Milkies Cafe
My husband w/ my first baby, before I became a photographer, 8 years ago.
