Black and on Welfare

“Women should be tough, tender, laugh as much as possible and live long lives. The struggle for equality continues unabated, and the woman warrior who is armed with wit and courage will be among the first to celebrate victory” - Maya Angelou

From the reading of Black and Welfare I pulled this quote because it stood out to me. Not only because Maya Angelou said it, but because of the volumes it speaks without even knowing the person who wrote.

Maya Angelou says that the woman should be tough and tender. Many women especially african american women, are forced into the role of mother as well as father. A mother and a father have different ways of loving their child. A father has a more rough and 'tough' approach to caring and loving their children. Mother's are the compassionate caring and sympathetic side of the parental spectrum. Angelou also gives hope to the woman by proclaiming women to be "the first to celebrate victory". I see this statement as encouragement for women to continue being the warrior that they are.
-C.R.

“One must be supported by a history of excellence such as the legacy of African-American women educators.” (Sunny-Marie Birney)

Sunny-Marie Birney, who wrote that powerful statement, was a young woman who was motherless. Imagine a moment without your own mother. Even though they are sometimes a little to much, what would our life be without them. Our lives would have forever been changed. For the place that we are now would have never been reached without the help of strong black mothers. Well in Sunny-Marie’s case she did not have that mother in her life. She was adopted by Euro-American parents. Yes she had love and a mother figure, but she did not have that strong black mother to embrace her blackness. Sunny-Marie wrote that she felt out of place, alone, and without value. It was not until she went to college that she began her journey to finding what she had missed out on all those years. Sunny-Marie’s desire and yearning for that black love was filled through her teachers. You see, African American teachers teach with a certain perspective. They see a young black female student and see their own child. This is a greater experience for they will not only teach you but nurture you. The void that weighed Sunny-Maries heart was filled with black teacher who cared. Not only was it about literacies but the mind, body, and spirit that the teachers expressed to her.One must be supported by a history of excellence such as the legacy of African-American women educators. We all are reaping the benefit of our mother’s, grandmothers, and great grandmother’s support. For these women too were educators they may not held a teaching degree but they educated us on our mind, body, and spirit. Just like Sunny-Marie we too would have felt out of place, alone, and without value but we had these excellent black women to guide us when we were adopted by the Euro-American world. We too had educators who shaped us into the young intelligent women we are today.

"People Think We Sit Back and Wait on a Check"

I enjoyed reading the text Black and on Welfare. I agree with several points that the author makes, though I did not find them shocking. I hate the assumptions that go along with black women on welfare. I have also heard the negativity that is associated with being on welfare. What I find shocking is that, welfare programs were established during the Great Depression for white people.
In her essay, Golden explains the stereotypes and disrespectful gestures that black women on welfare receive. She says that people assume that welfare recipients are unmotivated, unskilled and uneducated. This is the stereotype that is associated with black women that receive government assistance. Black women are also accused of bringing fatherless children into the world. I can relate to this myth. One of my best friends is a single parent of two. When people see that she is on welfare, they look at her as if she is worthless. They associate her with being lazy and a stereotypical single mother. What these people fail to realize is that, in spite of having two kids at a young age; she is finishing her senior year of college and on her way to medical school. She defers the assumption that women that receive welfare are uneducated, lazy, and unmotivated.
In the essay, Sandra Golden explains that Black women have relied on church for spiritual and social renewal. Since, black women on welfare are discriminated against and disrespected, their self-esteem is lowered. She says that the social interaction in church activities help build confidence and a sense of belonging. By participating in various ministries, the women build confidence and meet other women. These ministries give them a chance to exemplify leadership. I agree with the fact that it is important that black women rely on religious institutions to provide support.
I also agree with the fact that churches are a great source for black women. I have seen the influence of church organizations that support poor black women. My church is located in the poorest zip code in my county. My church has developed a company and other programs to reach out to this community. We have established specific programs to help single black mothers. We offer assistance programs, child-care services, job training, tutoring for children and adults that want to further their education. My church has many “success stories.” Several of these women that lead some of the specific programs are single black mothers that have participated in the same programs. My church also offers special outings for these women.

Jerrika Leslie