"Birthing Black Mothers" by Jennifer C. Nash is a significant publication that explores the public space and political significance of black mothers in the United States. The book, published in 2021 by Duke University Press, delves into the historical and contemporary struggles of black mothers, particularly in the context of state violence and medical violence. Nash challenges the narrative that frames black motherhood as primarily crisis-driven, arguing instead that it is a site of resistance, empowerment, and political action. The book is structured into four chapters, each addressing different aspects of black motherhood. The first chapter examines the crisis surrounding black breastfeeding and the efforts to support and encourage black breastfeeding practices. The second chapter discusses the work of black female doulas in Chicago, highlighting their role in defending pregnant black women and the tensions in contemporary doula practice. The third chapter explores "black maternal aesthetics" through the lens of three black celebrity mothers, showing how their performances challenge the dominant narrative of black motherhood as crisis-ridden. The final chapter returns to the theme of black maternal memories, examining how these memories resist the dominant narrative of black motherhood as traumatic and instead present it as a space of communion and connection. Nash's analysis is rich and multifaceted, drawing from public health, visual culture, and feminist theory. She emphasizes the political usefulness of black motherhood narratives and the importance of recognizing the diverse affections and experiences of black mothers. The book contributes significantly to the field of gender studies, offering a nuanced and critical perspective on the representation and politics of black motherhood."Birthing Black Mothers" by Jennifer C. Nash is a significant publication that explores the public space and political significance of black mothers in the United States. The book, published in 2021 by Duke University Press, delves into the historical and contemporary struggles of black mothers, particularly in the context of state violence and medical violence. Nash challenges the narrative that frames black motherhood as primarily crisis-driven, arguing instead that it is a site of resistance, empowerment, and political action. The book is structured into four chapters, each addressing different aspects of black motherhood. The first chapter examines the crisis surrounding black breastfeeding and the efforts to support and encourage black breastfeeding practices. The second chapter discusses the work of black female doulas in Chicago, highlighting their role in defending pregnant black women and the tensions in contemporary doula practice. The third chapter explores "black maternal aesthetics" through the lens of three black celebrity mothers, showing how their performances challenge the dominant narrative of black motherhood as crisis-ridden. The final chapter returns to the theme of black maternal memories, examining how these memories resist the dominant narrative of black motherhood as traumatic and instead present it as a space of communion and connection. Nash's analysis is rich and multifaceted, drawing from public health, visual culture, and feminist theory. She emphasizes the political usefulness of black motherhood narratives and the importance of recognizing the diverse affections and experiences of black mothers. The book contributes significantly to the field of gender studies, offering a nuanced and critical perspective on the representation and politics of black motherhood.