Intro
In this episode of the TED Radio Hour, titled “The Forgotten Mothers of Civil Rights History,” the host explores the stories of the influential mothers behind some of the most prominent figures in civil rights history. These mothers, often overlooked or ignored, played a significant role in shaping the lives and activism of their sons, including Alberta King, Louise Little, and Bertis Baldwin. Through their stories, we gain a deeper understanding of the struggles they faced, their contributions to American history, and the need to celebrate and acknowledge their influence.
Main Takeaways
The Influence of Forgotten Mothers
- Many influential figures in civil rights history had mothers who played a significant role in shaping their lives and activism.
- The stories of these mothers are often overlooked or ignored in historical narratives.
- Anima Leica Tubbs’ book, “The Three Mothers,” focuses on the lives of Alberta King, Louise Little, and Burdus Baldwin, the mothers of MLK Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin, respectively.
- These women were instrumental in shaping not only their sons’ lives but also American history.
- It’s time to celebrate and acknowledge the influence of these forgotten mothers in our shared knowledge and understanding of civil rights history.
Alberta King: Faith, Activism, and Motherhood
- Alberta King was born to the leaders of Ebenezer Baptist Church and raised to believe in Christian faith intertwined with social justice.
- Alberta King participated in marches and boycotts and was one of the first members of the NAACP.
- Alberta King had to choose between starting a family and pursuing her career due to the “marriage bar” law.
- Alberta King balanced being stern with her children and encouraging them to believe in equity and justice.
- Martin Luther King Jr. called Alberta King his closest confidant and would talk to her almost every day about the world and experiences with racism.
- Alberta King worried about her son’s safety as he became more famous, and this worry took a physical toll on her.
- Alberta King’s worst fear came true when her son was assassinated in 1968.
- Alberta King’s legacy is one where she reminds us that there is a calling on our lives and that we have to follow that calling.
Louise Little: Resistance, Activism, and Motherhood
- Louise Little, Malcolm X’s mother, was born in Grenada, a place with a history of resistance to white supremacy and colonization.
- Louise Little was raised with notions of fighting for Black pride and Black love, and standing up for oneself by any means necessary.
- She joined the international movement for Black Lives called Garveyism and wrote for Marcus Garvey’s Negro World newspaper.
- Louise faced danger multiple times, including her house being burned down and being confronted by a mob of white men while pregnant with Malcolm X.
- Louise Little put her life on the line to stand up against white supremacy, even while pregnant and facing danger multiple times.
- Louise Little struggled to care for her family as a single mother after her husband’s murder and faced discrimination from white welfare officers.
- Louise was institutionalized against her will for around 25 years, and her children were taken away and placed into foster homes.
- Malcolm X traced his troubles back to when his mother was taken away and even forgot the vocabulary she taught him.
Bertis Baldwin: Love, Positivity, and Motherhood
- Bertis Baldwin, mother of James Baldwin, was known for her love, positivity, and healing through her letters to those around her.
- Bertis moved from Maryland to Philadelphia and then to New York as part of the Great Migration.
- Bertis believed there was more in the world for her and wanted to contribute to the understanding of black community, relationships, love, and culture.
- Bertis raised her first child, James, on her own and later married a minister named David Baldwin who suffered from a mental illness.
- David’s anger and frustration due to being treated as less than human as a black man led him to mistreat James, his stepchild.
- Before David’s death, Bertis asked James to forgive him for all the pain he caused him so he could find healing even after his stepfather passed.
- James drew from his own experiences and those of his mother and stepfather to write about the struggles of an entire generation of black Americans.
- Bernice Baldwin, James Baldwin’s mother, was an important figure in her family and passed down a tradition of forgiveness, peace, and hope.
Summary
The Influence of Forgotten Mothers
The episode explores the often overlooked stories of the influential mothers behind civil rights figures such as MLK Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. Anima Leica Tubbs’ book, “The Three Mothers,” sheds light on the lives of Alberta King, Louise Little, and Bertis Baldwin, highlighting their significant contributions to American history. By celebrating and acknowledging these forgotten mothers, we gain a deeper understanding of their influence on shaping their sons’ lives and activism.
Alberta King: Faith, Activism, and Motherhood
Alberta King’s strong faith intertwined with social justice shaped her activism and parenting. She participated in marches and boycotts, becoming one of the first members of the NAACP. Balancing sternness with encouragement, Alberta instilled in her children a belief in equity and justice. Martin Luther King Jr. considered her his closest confidant, seeking her guidance on racism and the world. Alberta’s worst fear came true when her son was assassinated, leaving a legacy that reminds us of our calling in life.
Louise Little: Resistance, Activism, and Motherhood
Louise Little’s upbringing in Grenada instilled in her a strong sense of resistance to white supremacy and colonization. Joining the Garveyism movement, she fought for Black pride and love, even writing for Marcus Garvey’s Negro World newspaper. Louise faced numerous dangers, including her house being burned down and encounters with white mobs. As a single mother after her husband’s murder, she endured discrimination from welfare officers and was institutionalized against her will. Her struggles deeply impacted Malcolm X, who traced his troubles back to her absence.
Bertis Baldwin: Love, Positivity, and Motherhood
Bertis Baldwin, known for her love and positivity, played a crucial role in her family. Through her letters, she spread healing and contributed to the understanding of black community, relationships, love, and culture. Raising James Baldwin as a single mother, she later married a minister named David Baldwin, who suffered from mental illness and mistreated James. Before David’s death, Bertis asked James to forgive him, fostering a tradition of forgiveness, peace, and hope. James drew from his experiences with his mother and stepfather to write about the struggles of black Americans.
Conclusion
The stories of Alberta King, Louise Little, and Bertis Baldwin remind us of the influential role mothers played in shaping civil rights history. These women faced immense challenges, fought against injustice, and instilled in their children the values of equity, justice, and love. By celebrating and acknowledging their contributions, we can change the narrative around Black women’s roles in the Civil Rights Movement and strive for a more equitable society.
