Apartment 3C Reads

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THE THREE MOTHERS by Anna Malaika Tubbs

Book review by Jennifer Morrison

Before reading The Three Mothers, just the thought of the mothers of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin knocked my socks off. 

I mean truly, why has no one ever talked about these three incredible women who raised three of the most prominent men who have ever lived?

It seems insane as soon you as you take it into consideration.

Anna Malaika Tubbs highlights in her book that by not seeing clearly through the haze of American culture we are, “erasing mothers (especially Black mothers) from the historical narrative.” 

Alberta King, Louise Little, and Berdis Baldwin were born within five years of each other. They all gave birth to boys who would become world-changing men within six years of each other, they all married preachers, and they all lived to watch their sons die while trying to make this country a better version of itself. 

The Three Mothers is expertly researched. It is extensively investigated. Anna elegantly weaves the three stories of these women’s lives into the most incredible history lesson that I have ever experienced in a single book. 

I am in awe of her ability to succinctly and clearly carry the reader through a massive amount of difficult history, while also highlighting the awe-inspiring contributions that mothers—these three mothers, as well as all mothers—offer the world.

It is incredibly difficult to achieve what Anna achieves in this book. This is a love letter to all mothers. It is a love letter to mothers who have lost a child, and it is especially a love letter to all of the Black mothers who have had to be stronger than any one person should ever have to be, while facing judgement for being tough. 

This book brought me to tears several times. It took my breath away. Anna Malaika Tubbs offers us a gift with her elegant tapestry of stories highlighting these extraordinary Black mothers in history. 

The Three Mothers is a book that challenges us to pick up a pen and paper and start putting mothers back in the stories where they belong. Give them the credit. Shine a light on their contributions, and see them. Anna wants us to rightfully acknowledge them as great workers and divine warriors. 

https://www.amazon.com/Three-Mothers-Martin-Malcolm-Baldwin/dp/1250756138/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WNIJMPYGQS5P&keywords=the+three+mothers+anna+malaika+tubbs&qid=1645631247&sprefix=the+three+mothers%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-1

Book Review by Jennifer Morrison

Do you feel like every day brings a new obstacle? Like some days it’s harder than others to push against those obstacles? Do you wonder how your heroes do it? Wonder how other people seem to have it all figure out even though you don’t?

If you answered, “yes” to any of these questions, you will find yourself admiring and learning from Micheal Tubbs’s memoir, The Deeper the Roots. 

Michael wrote a memoir that inspires, not only in a traditional way, but also in a profoundly vulnerable way.

Instead of taking us from success to success, Michael walks the reader through his mistakes, his misunderstandings, and the ways that he pushed himself to learn from each of those experiences while growing, despite every unfair obstacle. 

Despite the way the system so often tries to push against his gifts and his talents, Michael never exhausts in his fight to have what all people should have - a chance to be their best self -  a chance to shine and flourish in your talents, and a chance to continue being curious while growing in those talents. 

I am so inspired by Michael’s journey, his determination, and his stamina.

I grew up with entirely different life experiences and privileges than Michael, far away from the truth of the history lessons that he talks us through in this memoir. He taught me so much through his truth, and through his very open, honest, and egoless humility. 

Michael is curious. He is kind. He is determined, and he is fiercely devoted to making this world and this country a  better place. 

Despite the deeply unfair obstacles he faces as a Black man in America, Michael asks the hard questions. He faces the hard truths, and he perseveres in every curiosity with the determination to be his best self.

His memoir has humbled me and challenged me. His words and his actions are a reason for all of us to pay attention. 

https://www.amazon.com/Deeper-Roots-Memoir-Hope-Home/dp/1250173442/ref=sr_1_1?crid=L6G0DP976U3D&keywords=the+deeper+the+roots+michael+tubbs&qid=1645630313&sprefix=the+deeper+the+roots%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-1