Although I don’t have or want kids, I am still interested in seeking out books, fiction and nonfiction, which explore motherhood in various forms. This memoir by Dani McClain was a look into the challenges Black mothers face when raising children, particularly girls. It was a random find on my library’s audiobook platform, so I wasn’t sure what to expect - I loved it! It’s broken down into clear sections, and I appreciated how the author wove in her own experiences with those of friends, peers, and professionals. She discusses the challenges and advantages of raising Black children in more rural areas of the US, schooling options, options and choices (or lack thereof) for Black mothers during pregnancy, and how to involve children in politics and activism. The title, We Live for the We, brings in the idea that Black mothers are often the backbone of organising in the US, and so juggle mothering their own children with ‘motherwork’ in their community. In an individualistic society, this sort of community-focused mothering is radical and necessary.

A hugely enjoyable memoir which gives you a lot to chew on, academic but not inaccessible to the non-academic reader.