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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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I Am Not Your Baby Mother summary
Candice Brathwaite
What it's like to be a Black British mother
24 mins
Brief summary
I Am Not Your Baby Mother by Candice Brathwaite is a powerful memoir that explores the experiences of Black motherhood in the UK. Brathwaite challenges stereotypes and speaks candidly about racism, mental health and the complexities of parenting in the modern world.
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I Am Not Your Baby Mother
Summary of 9 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 9
What's in it for me? Discover a refreshingly honest account of motherhood as a Black woman.
When Candice Brathwaite found herself pregnant, she was ravenous for information about the parenting journey ahead. But she soon realized that, as a Black woman, she was completely missing from mainstream media representations of motherhood. She could only find negative representations that were steeped in stereotypes and prejudice.
While Candice could relate to some of the information from white “mummy bloggers” and book authors, a lot of what she found seemed to come from another planet. Black British mothers have worries that their white counterparts wouldn’t even imagine. Will they get the right medical care to survive childbirth? Will their newborn’s name prevent her from getting a job interview? How will they prepare their son to endure racist microaggressions or avoid being stabbed on the way to school?
In these blinks, you'll learn everything Candice wished she knew when she first became pregnant. If you're a Black parent-to-be, you'll gain insights from the authentic stories of someone who’s been there before. If you're white, you'll gain insights into how racial justice is still needed to fight inequality.
In these blinks, you’ll learn
- why the stereotype of the “baby mother” is so harmful;
- how medical negligence nearly led to Candice’s death after the birth of her daughter; and
- why she became obsessed with acquiring a Bugaboo stroller at any cost.
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Key ideas in I Am Not Your Baby Mother
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What is I Am Not Your Baby Mother about?
I Am Not Your Baby Mother (2020) is part memoir and part manifesto about life as a Black British mother. Drawing on Candice Brathwaite’s own journey to parenthood, it describes how she survived everything from postnatal depression to the realization that she could never protect her children from racism. These events motivated her to create space for representations of diverse experiences of motherhood online.
I Am Not Your Baby Mother Review
I Am Not Your Baby Mother (2020) by Candice Brathwaite is a book that explores the experiences of black motherhood and challenges societal stereotypes. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Offers a refreshing and honest perspective on motherhood, addressing the unique challenges faced by black mothers in a relatable way.
- Through personal anecdotes and narratives from other black women, the book sheds light on the complexities of raising children in a society that often misunderstands and misrepresents them.
- With its engaging storytelling and thought-provoking insights, the book becomes a celebration of black motherhood, encouraging readers to challenge traditional norms and embrace their own authentic experiences.
Who should read I Am Not Your Baby Mother?
- Black mothers looking for narratives of parenthood that more closely reflect their own
- Activists wanting to learn more about inequality in Britain
- White parents who want to confront their own privilege and learn about institutionalized racism
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I Am Not Your Baby Mother FAQs
What is the main message of I Am Not Your Baby Mother?
The main message of I Am Not Your Baby Mother is about challenging stereotypes and societal expectations of motherhood.
How long does it take to read I Am Not Your Baby Mother?
The reading time for I Am Not Your Baby Mother varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is I Am Not Your Baby Mother a good book? Is it worth reading?
I Am Not Your Baby Mother is a powerful and eye-opening book that is definitely worth reading. It provides a unique perspective on motherhood and will challenge your preconceived notions.
Who is the author of I Am Not Your Baby Mother?
Candice Brathwaite is the author of I Am Not Your Baby Mother.
What to read after I Am Not Your Baby Mother?
If you're wondering what to read next after I Am Not Your Baby Mother, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Untamed by Glennon Doyle
- Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
- The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
- The Fifth Trimester by Lauren Smith Brody
- Eve by Cat Bohannon
- Beat Gender Bias by Karen Morley
- Read People Like a Book by Patrick King
- The Idea Is the Easy Part by Brian Dovey
- Hunger by Roxane Gay
- Adult Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers by Stephanie M. Kriesberg