Sunday Inspiration: Black Mommas

I grew up with a set of Black parents that didn't take no mess. My mom was simple and direct with her discipline. We didn't have "time-outs" in our house!

1. Have you ever been called downstairs from upstairs, the back of the house, or from the front of the house to get the remote, change the channel, or bring her a glass of ice water?


2. Have you ever been hit with an extension cord, a switch, or the nearest shoe?


3. Have you ever had to pick your own switch off the tree and got sent back because the one you picked was too little?


4. Have you ever been burned on your ear with a straightening comb?


5. Have you ever been hit in the head or knuckles with a comb or hair brush?


6. Have you ever been told to 'Shut up or I'll give you something to cry about' or beat with a belt while she pronounces every syllable, 'Didn't---I---tell---you---not---to-do---that---no---more?!'


7. Have you ever had your ponytails or plaits were so tight, you got those little bumps around your scalp?


8. Were the white people in the school office (principal, secretary, etc) afraid of her?


9. You were scared to go home when you had a bad report card?


10. Alcohol, peroxide, cocoa butter, and Vaseline were the main items in the bathroom cabinet. And that red hot water bottle hanging behind the bathroom door?


11. You were never 'on punishment' - just got a whooping right out of the shower.


12. Have you ever been pinched for going to sleep in church?


13. She made you participate in every church activity (choir, Sunday school, Junior Usher board, Easter play, Christmas Play, etc).


14. Has she ever come inside and picked you up from school dance in hair rollers and her gown or pajamas on under her coat?


15. When you ask her for something, her response was..'You got a job?'


16. Have you ever been beaten for something your brother or sister did just because you were around?


17. She vacuums everyday just so the carpet can have lines in it?


18. Have you ever been told to turn off the TV, get off the phone, or sit down and be quiet when it's storming outside because the Lord was doing his work?


19. Friends, family, and friends of the family try to keep you out of trouble because they know your mother and how she is?


20. You were afraid to call the child abuse hotline (because you weren't allowed to use the phone without her permission)?


21. She had to talk to God.. 'Lord, please don't let me hurt this child!!!' before she gives you a whipping.


22. You knew NOT to talk about what went on in your house with Anybody (other family members, friends, school authority, etc), because you were told, 'What goes on in this house, stays in this house!!!'

If you can relate to any of these things, then you know you had a beautiful Black mother who didn't take no mess when you were growin up!

GOD BLESS OUR BEAUTIFUL BLACK GRANDMAS, MAMMAS, AUNTS, SISTAHS, NIECES & GIRLFRIENDS...

Sunday Inspirations, is the meme created by Sojourner to honor her Mother for Mother's Day 2008 and is just one way to help get us through the week ahead, the trials we may face, and yes, to say Thank Ya and testify! I hope that you participate and share with us your Sunday Inspirations. Your weekly contribution may very well be the inspiration that someone else may need and has been looking for.