But no matter how many say so, my sons, you are not a problem. Mothering you is not a problem. It is a gift. A vast one. A breathtaking one, beautiful. One that makes me pray for an unmercenary spirit about what I am here to do, never considering it a burden or worthy of particular praise. Mema, your grandmother, said it this way, ‘Mothering Black boys in America—that is a special calling.’
—Imani Perry
I am the mother of a Black son. Respectfully, Imani Perry’s BREATHE: A LETTER TO MY SONS resonates with me more personally than Ta-Nehisi Coates’ very important BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME. Imani’s writings to her sons is realistic, yet hopeful. It is tender and loving, plus firm and unyielding. Breathe is Black mothers. Breathe is mothers of Black sons. Breathe is a must-read and Imani Perry is a must-see. The Princeton professor’s sixth book goes on sale September 17th. Check the mother of two sons on Friday, September 20th at The Strand Bookstore in New York or Sunday, September 22nd at Politics & Prose in Washington, D.C. Click here for more stops on her book tour.
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