Authorpreneur Dashboard – Patricia A Joseph
Raising Black Boys to Men
Parenting & Relationships
“Raising Black Boys to Men: A Mother’s Guide to Raising Thugless Sons” is a candid book of one mother’s journey: her successes, trials, and errors, in raising her three boys, in a society that glorifies thug-life. Author, Patricia Joseph, who successfully navigated the lives of her three sons, through the ever so present negative influences in society, felt compelled to write about her experience in raising thugless sons. Patricia credits much of her success to just “good, ole-fashion child rearing.” All readers will enjoy the heart-felt emotion of Patricia’s call-to-action: “Save Our Sons.”
Book Bubbles from Raising Black Boys to Men
In God All Things Are Possible!
As a believer in the existence and power of God, I believe that all things are possible! Not too long ago, we may have asked the question: "What has happened to our Black youth?" But, today we are seeing our youth take to the streets to declare that "Black Lives Matter." I strongly believe that God has a way of moving mountains (racism, injustice, police brutality) by touching the hearts and minds of those that we least expect, and empowering them to achieve the impossible!
Make Them Responsible
I wanted to write a few insightful words on raising boys to be responsible men, and why it's our job as mothers to do so. But, I came across the words below that express my sentiments much better: “Boys are students: Men are teachers Boys are consumers: Men are producers Boys play with toys: Men work with tools Boys break things: Men make things Boys ask questions: Men give answers Boys are disruptive: Men bring order Boys run in gangs: Men organize teams Boys play house: Men build homes Boys shack up: Men get married Boys make babies: Men raise children A boy won’t raise his own children: A man will raise his and somebody else’s Boys invent excuses for failure: Men produce strategies for success Boys look for somebody to take care of them: Men look for somebody to take care of Boys are present-centered; Men are time-balanced, having knowledge of the past and understanding of the present and a vision for the future Boys seek popularity: Men demand respect Boys are up on the latest: Men are down with the GREATEST.” PS- boys are a waste of time, and men are hard to find. (posted by Jessara)
Keep the Faith!
For those of you who believe in a divine being, I say: "Keep believing." It is this belief in a supreme being that serves as a glue in keeping my family together. Without this belief, I think we would be lost. I know this may sound cynical, but if I had to put my faith in mankind, with all the unrest, chaos, and confusion happening in the world, I would've lost hope long time ago!
Raise Confident Sons
When my sons were young and trying to find their place in the world, I never accepted the excuse "I can't," as a reason for them not trying. Whether my sons were learning to draw or write, I tried to encourage them to keep trying. The lesson I wanted them to learn is that God gave them the ability to do whatever they desired; all they needed to do was try until they succeeded. As mothers, we can give our sons the confidence to succeed and excel at anything they seek to accomplish, by inspiring them to believe in themselves. The confidence in self begins with a belief in self!
Little Things Matter!
It's often said that children learn by doing. But, in reality, children learn by watching and listening. That's why as parents, we have to be mindful of what we say and do around our children. If not, a child will display in public inappropriate behavior or language he or she has learned at home. But, we can't fault the child for this type of behavior. The responsibility falls on the parent.
#EducationIsPriority1
It's really sad that many young, Black men are allowed to graduate from high school without a proper education. They've been pushed along in school, for one reason or another, because no one cared enough about them, to invest in their future. While in college, my daughter had classmates who couldn't write good, grammatical sentences, let alone write an essay. This is incomprehensible! A lack of education impacts the quality of living and limits opportunities for success. What type of employment is available for someone who can barely read or write? Education allows a person to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. Without education, the road leads to nowhere!
What Future?
If jail and death are the eventual roads for many young, Black men, then what kind of future do they have? None! My sons deserved better, and I made damn sure they had the same available opportunities as anyone else. Not because they're entitled, but because it's a God-given right for them to have freedom, justice, and equality.
So Many Tears!
As I write this insight, I know that there is a Black mother somewhere crying over the death of her son -- a son lost to a senseless crime Why must we lose so many young, men and cry so many tears!!
Shape and Mold your Son!
As a mom, I only hoped that my sons would grow up and become decent, responsible young men. But, I knew that without my cultivation and nurturing, this would never happen. I needed to mold and shape my sons into the men they would eventually become! This meant that I would have to start the process, of raising them, from the moment they were old enough to understand the difference between right and wrong.
#BlackLivesMatter
I could've written this book without publishing, and just rejoiced in the accomplishment of writing a book. But, it mattered more to share my experiences, with other mothers, who are dealing with the challenges of raising Black sons. This book is personal and a peek into my own private thoughts on raising Black boys. If my words and advice can help just one mother to successfully raise her son, then that is what matters most!
Losing a Son
I can't imagine what it feels like to lose a child. I would imagine that it feels as if a part of you has also died. I fought hard, while raising my sons, to prevent ever having to feel this grief and pain!
Keep Your Son Safe
When my boys became teenagers and learned to drive, I knew I had to teach them how to be safe, and what they should and shouldn't do when stopped by the police. Sadly, this is a reality for many mothers raising black boys. When our boys leave the house, instead of saying: "Have a nice time" or "See you when you get home." We have to give our sons instructions on what to do if they are stopped by the police. It's a life of constant fear that our sons will leave home and never return!
Save Our Sons
As a mother of three young, black men, I know what it feels like to always be afraid -- afraid that my sons will fall victim to drugs, violence, incarceration, or homicide.
