The influence of mothers on major figures in Black American culture

February 9, 2023 7:30 AM

Martin Luther King, Jr, Malcolm X, and James Baldwin are towering figures in Black American culture, politics, and community. Their lives and backgrounds have been thoroughly dissected, but what of the influence of the women who birthed them? How did the relationship with their individual mothers shape the men they became? Author Anna Malaika Tubbs explored that question in her book, The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation. In a 50 minute NPR and TED Radio Hour interview, she discusses the impetus and history behind writing the book.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (3 comments total)

I first listened to the interview with a bit of reluctance, as it seemed to be taking the focus off the work the men had done.

But as I listened I realized Malaika Tubbs was bringing up important history about the personal environments all these men grew up in and how it impacted their lives and later contributions. It was wonderfully illuminating and enlightening, with a lot of historical bits I didn’t know.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:14 AM on February 9, 2023 [3 favorites]

I heard that TED Radio hour interview last weekend, and I immediately put the book on hold at the library. Thanks for posting this!
posted by box at 9:49 AM on February 9, 2023

It took me a bit to get through this, but it's very interesting--thank you for sharing it; I would never have heard of it, probably, otherwise.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 1:09 PM on February 10, 2023