Motherism
“Listen Carefully to what country people call motherwit. In those homely sayings, is couched the collective wisdom of generations”
Maya Angelou
At the Democratic National Convention on August 22, 2024, several women indirectly reflected on the question, 'What does Mother mean to you?' as they discussed the role their own mothers played in shaping them as women. Their mothers were described with adjectives like brave, fearless, and hardworking. However, there was also a somber tone as they expressed missing their mothers and acknowledged that, despite their mothers' physical absence, they believed their mothers were proud and dancing above. I think it's safe to say that 'above' can refer to heaven, a transcendent realm, or whatever term you're comfortable using to describe what we don't fully understand or see.
What can we take away from these precious and sacred moments, deeply rooted in American politics and social justice? The roles our mothers played as leaders in both their public and private lives, and their unwavering determination to serve as role models for their daughters, cannot be overstated.The obstacles and challenges mothers face often serve as a catalyst for social responsibility and the pursuit of justice in our collective society. This idea aligns with the tenets of the theory of 'Motherism,' as MSNBC commentators described their own experiences of their mothers, hardwork and wanting the best not just for their daughters.
Motherism, as a theory, envisions mothers as architects and builders of a better world—not just for themselves, but for all of humanity. It’s important to acknowledge that the concept of 'Mother' is not limited to biological mothers, nor is it binary or tied to a specific gender. Motherism is about community and leadership. The role of the mother as a leader, organizer,
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