Bridge Over Troubled Waters: How African-American Othermothers Advocated for the Schooling Needs of Children in Their Care - Softcover

Mack, Dr. Kimberly R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1542594065 ISBN 13: 9781542594066

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017

Synopsis

The influence of African-American Othermothers on the stability of children in their care has been documented in research as a long-standing tradition since slavery. When families were separated at auction, Othermothers would become “fictive kin” to the orphaned children. This tradition continues in the Black community today. Using semi-structured interviews, this qualitative study documents the advocacy behaviors of 12 African-American Othermothers and their quest to ensure that the children in their care receive a quality education. Using Critical Race Theory and Black feminist thought as a lens through which to view the findings, the author explicitly recounts the experiences of the Othermothers through counter-storytelling, which yield several emergent themes such as identification of prevalent advocacy behaviors among the women, the impact of racism on their advocacy efforts, and the need to construct metaphorical bridges with the school to meet their child’s educational needs. These Othermothers share their struggle and overwhelmingly cite their dependence on their network of professionals and faith for support.

About this title

About the Author

Dr. Kimberly R. Mack, researcher, author, and motivational speaker, serves as the principal at John P. Parker Elementary School in Cincinnati, Ohio. As an urban educator, she and her staff have developed a community learning center, where students intellectual, emotional, and physical wellness needs are addressed in the school house with the support of community partnerships. The innovative ideas implemented at the school has resulted in a transformation of the school community. John P. Parker School has been named a National Model School and High Flying School for the meteoric rise of student achievement under her leadership. Her work in education has been highlighted by NBC’s Today Show and Education Nation. Her hope for this publication was to highlight the importance of community othermothers.

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1542594065
• ISBN 13: 9781542594066
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 164