Facing the Dragon: Black Mothering in the Americas

Approximately 1000 police killings occur annually in the USA.

Approximately 42.3% of deaths by legal intervention in the US between 1960 and 2010 were Black men.

Police killings are connected to historical anti-Black violence and lynching.

Racially biased lethal policing is not limited to the USA and also affects other countries.

In Brazil, an estimated six people are killed by police each day, disproportionately young, Black, working-class, and male.

In 2012, the police in Brazil killed 1890 people.

A gender analysis of anti-Black violence is crucial, especially considering the impact on Black women.

Anti-black state violence is not just local, but part of a larger transnational pattern that affects different countries, showing similar traits and trends.

The death of a loved one due to police violence has a unique and specific impact on Black mothers, often leading to challenges with work, relationships, and mental well-being.

The combined effects of racism and sexism create obstacles for Black women, limiting their access to resources and opportunities, especially in the workplace.

The profound trauma experienced by Black mothers after the police killing of their loved ones can hinder their engagement with society.

Larry Jackson Jr. was killed by police in 2013 after being mistaken for a bank robber, highlighting the dangers faced by Black men by law enforcement.

The mother of Ricardo and Enio experienced significant hardship after their deaths, demonstrating the lasting impact of police violence on families.

The impact of police killings on families is not uniform. Black mothers experience specific challenges due to the intersectionality of their identities.

Police violence can strain family relationships, leading to mental health challenges and difficulties in daily life.

The combined force of sexism and racism creates barriers for Black women in accessing resources and opportunities, particularly in the workplace.

The experience of losing a loved one due to police violence is particularly intense for Black mothers due to the intersectionality of their identities as Black women and mothers.

Black mothers' experiences are shaped by the intersection of their race and gender, leading to unique challenges and vulnerabilities.

The profound emotional response of Black mothers to the loss of a loved one, especially due to police violence, is distinct and deeply rooted in their experiences.

The patterns of anti-Black violence and its impact on Black mothers are not limited to specific locations but are found across different countries, reflecting a global issue.

Police violence against a parent deeply affects children, leading to lasting emotional and psychological consequences, particularly for young children.

Black mothers often have an intuitive understanding when something is wrong with their children, even when their loved ones try to hide their troubles.

The long-term effects of losing a loved one to police violence on Black mothers often include emotional distress, social isolation, and difficulty in daily life.

The story of Larry Jackson Jr., a Black man killed by police in Texas, illustrates the devastating consequences of anti-Black violence and its widespread impact on communities.

A drastic reduction in food intake caused by the overwhelming sadness and pain of losing a loved one.

The emotional pain of loss that extends beyond the individual experiencing it, affecting their family and future generations.

The death of a loved one through police brutality has a profound and unique impact on Black mothers, often leading to emotional distress, physical deterioration, and social isolation.

The misconception that violence is an inherent feature of certain cultures, particularly in Latin America, often used to justify excessive police violence.

Violence in Brazil, as in many postcolonial nations, is not a natural outcome of the culture but a consequence of the legacy of colonialism and ongoing racialized oppression.

Anti-Black violence in countries like Brazil and the United States demonstrates striking parallels, highlighting the transnational nature of racist systems of power.

The alarming number of police killings, especially targeting Black individuals, reveals a political reality where systemic racism fuels violence against marginalized communities.

The trauma of police violence disrupts family relationships, leading to increased emotional strain, mental health struggles, and challenges in daily life.

A set of unwritten rules and understandings that govern how people interact in a society. It defines rights, responsibilities, and the relationship between citizens and the state.

A specific aspect of the social contract that privileges men and disadvantages women in terms of power, rights, and social roles.

A specific aspect of the social contract that privileges white people and disadvantages people of color in terms of power, rights, and social roles.

Bare life or biological existence, referring to the state of being vulnerable and killable. It's a stripped-down form of life without political rights or protection.

The private sphere of the home, where women, children, and the elderly were confined in ancient Greece. It was considered a non-political space, separate from the public sphere of men's politics (polis).

A system of beliefs and practices that combines racism and sexism, leading to the specific oppression of Black women. It's a unique facet of the state's ideology.

The various institutions and organizations that carry out the functions of the state, implementing its policies and ideology. Examples include police, courts, prisons, and education systems.

The historical process of establishing and maintaining the United States as a nation with its own territory, government, and identity. It's deeply intertwined with anti-Blackness and the subjugation of Black bodies.

Anti-Black genocide is the systematic killing of Black people, often fueled by racism and facilitated by state structures like the police. This can involve direct violence or indirect forms like economic deprivation and healthcare disparities.

The 'rate ratio' is a statistical measure used to compare the frequency of a certain event (like death by police) in two groups, such as Black men versus White men. A higher rate ratio indicates a significant difference in the frequency of that event between the groups.

'Legal intervention' refers to situations where law enforcement (police) is involved in causing a death. This can include shootings, arrests gone wrong, or even excessive force during a routine interaction.

Colonial conditions refer to the ongoing legacy of colonization, where power structures and inequalities persist even after independence. This can involve the exploitation of resources, the suppression of cultures, and the erosion of human rights.