Mother's Day

It's Mother's Day and many within the African Diaspora community express a palpable disdain for Western holidays. While I agree there are some, such as Columbus Day, that are incompatible with African spiritual values, there are others that not only resonate by intent but by virtue of ancestral significance to the existing diasporan ethnic groups and communities. Mother's Day is one such holiday.

Within many diasporan communities the mother has been the glue that held families together and drove the societies that made it possible for men to be successful. While we men went out to shape the world, the mothers shaped our minds, providing us our values and defined society. Our fathers taught us much, but it was our mothers who taught us first and most often. From table manners and basic math to exercising influence over societal superiors and what our mate's expectations are, our mothers have been our primary educators.

So while many of us are rightfully challenging the commercialization of the sentiment behind Mother's Day, lets avoid throwing out the baby with the bath water.