Description
Book SynopsisRaising Black Teen Boys in Turbulent Times "It is always heartening to see women step up to the writer's table. When the results are as adroit and affecting as Marita Golden's work, it is more than satisfying; it is a cause for celebration."—Toni Morrison, Nobel Laureate
Two decades ago, Marita was the first Black writer to address the horrifying statistic that haunts all Black mothers: the leading cause of death among Black males under twenty-one is homicide. Today, police brutality rages on as millions call for the reformation of our broken law enforcement in the wake of the traumatic murders of Black teen boys like Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Daunte Wright.
Read an intimate account of a mother’s efforts to save her son. Writing her son’s story against the backdrop of a society plagued by systemic racism, economic inequality, and mass incarceration, Golden offers a form of witness and testimony in a time of crisis for Black Americans.
Learn how to grapple with the realities of Black America. Join Golden as she confronts the root causes of violence inflicted upon Black teen boys and reassesses the legacy of her own generation's struggle for civil rights. Explore Black boys’ difficult road to adulthood in the U.S. and learn why single Black mothers are often wrongly blamed for their sons’ actions.
Gain invaluable advice and knowledge from trustworthy sources. In Saving Our Sons, Golden documents her conversations with psychologists, writers, and young Black males themselves.
This book is designed to help you:
- Discuss and unpack generational trauma with loved ones
- Gain deeper insight into the injustices Black children face in the U.S.
- Recognize the importance of community for the success of Black teen boys
If you liked Decoding Boys, Mother & Son: Our Back & Forth Journal, The Boy Crisis or Boy Mom, you’ll love Saving Our Sons.
Trade Review“Marita Golden’s Saving Our Sons was revelatory when first published and remains so today. Saving Our Sons is a superb mother’s, artist’s, teacher’s, and community activist’s love story of her son and by extension, all Black sons. This is a book that provides life lessons for our daughters too. Saving Our Sons is critical as a guide, motivator, love-note, and an avenue into lifesaving discussions of the heart for all Black children.”—Haki R. Madhubuti, founder of Third World Press and author of Black Men: Obsolete, Single, Dangerous (1991) and Taught By Women: Poems As Resistance Language New and Selected (2020)
It is always heartening to see women step up to the writer's table. When the results are as adroit and affecting as Marita Golden's work, it is more than satisfying; it is a cause for celebration.”—Toni Morrison, Nobel Laureate
“Marita Golden has captured the special pain that shadows the joy of Black parenthood in these turbulent times. Elegantly written, this book is a breakthrough.”—Chicago Tribune
“A wonderful storyteller, an uncompromising mind, Marita Golden explores the African-American experience in a completely original way.”—Newsweek
“In this book, Marita reminds us why every black parent should be vigilant and intentional in considering how to steer young black boys—and girls as well—through the precarious passage to adulthood. Saving Our Sons is disturbingly relevant in this, the twenty-first century. It’s a compelling read.”—Nathan McCall, author of Makes Me Wanna Holler: A Young Black Man in America
"One of the most important pieces of literature for Black parents."—MJ Fievre, author of Raising Confident Black Kids
Table of ContentsContents
Author’s Preface
Acknowledgements
Calling My Name
Trouble the Waters
An Acquaintance with Grief
Soon One Morning
Epilogue
The Dead Call Us to Remember
About the Author
