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4.5 AVERAGE
4.5 AVERAGE
From the very beginning, Jasmine's letters resonated deeply within my core. They contain the thoughts, worries, fears, and hopes of most black moms I know, even the non-Christians ones. They may not drive their sons and daughters back to God's Word, but they, along with me as a Christian mom, want our children to know "You are black. And it is good." We want them to be advocates for themselves and not to feel limited by the color of their skin when it comes to their faith, politics, or life. Additionally, as black Christians, we want to reconcile our faith with our race. It's not always easy when those that look like you don't believe what you do, and those that believe what you do don't look like you. Jasmine's book gives us hope that in the center where these two cross, stands Jesus. Jasmine's book is for us.
I received an ARC through NetGalley. I struggled with this book due to the conflicting ideologies of the author from my own views. As a Black British woman, the politics of the US are only something that I am vaguely familiar with but I was surprised to read that Jasmine L. Holmes is a Christian Republican. The book is touted as a Christian book and so the cover page can feel misleading as this isn't necessarily a book for every Black woman and mother.
The book as a letter for identity and hope, I struggled with the limited liberal views and while I respect everyone's religion and beliefs I found it hard to digest a parent's view that her child would grow up to be a man that shared the same ideologies as her. In her letters to her son, it felt like there was little room for her son to be something other than what she hoped.
I wondered would her son as a young man reading this when he is older feels super pressured especially, with her strong views on abortion, desire for him to date another Christian Black woman...what if he chooses not to date a Christian woman? a black woman? a woman? I think it's important to be writing letters to young black boys not from an idealistic perspective but, to afford them with the opportunity to who they are in this society and not continue to promote the box of parental expectations.
The book as a letter for identity and hope, I struggled with the limited liberal views and while I respect everyone's religion and beliefs I found it hard to digest a parent's view that her child would grow up to be a man that shared the same ideologies as her. In her letters to her son, it felt like there was little room for her son to be something other than what she hoped.
I wondered would her son as a young man reading this when he is older feels super pressured especially, with her strong views on abortion, desire for him to date another Christian Black woman...what if he chooses not to date a Christian woman? a black woman? a woman? I think it's important to be writing letters to young black boys not from an idealistic perspective but, to afford them with the opportunity to who they are in this society and not continue to promote the box of parental expectations.
Mother to Son was a book I had been dying to read. I received it a few months and was so excited to read— dive in.
Now I’ve had the time to read.
This book was really good!
Jasmine did an amazing job with writing letters of encouragement to her first born son Wynn but also letters that’s meant for you and I.
As a black woman reading this I was definitely encouraged how I view myself in the eyes of the One who created me.
I highlighted I believe every other page I can’t wait to share and encourage others to read it.
In Chapter Two Titled You Are God’s Jasmine has a portion that is titled you are black on purpose she starts off with this
“ It’s no accident that you are black. You were made black on purpose. God de used that you and your brother would be born as twenty-first century black boys to two black parents. He placed you in a lineage full of glorious complexity and gave you the task of learning how to glorify Him in light of the ingredients he stirred into the pot of your identity. He invites you to delve into a deeper understanding of who you are as an individual so that you can see yourself in light of who you are in the grander story hat he is writing.
You are black. And it is good.”
Thank you Jasmine for the reminder of how God is the creator of all things good through the promise of diversity. And it was good.
Now I’ve had the time to read.
This book was really good!
Jasmine did an amazing job with writing letters of encouragement to her first born son Wynn but also letters that’s meant for you and I.
As a black woman reading this I was definitely encouraged how I view myself in the eyes of the One who created me.
I highlighted I believe every other page I can’t wait to share and encourage others to read it.
In Chapter Two Titled You Are God’s Jasmine has a portion that is titled you are black on purpose she starts off with this
“ It’s no accident that you are black. You were made black on purpose. God de used that you and your brother would be born as twenty-first century black boys to two black parents. He placed you in a lineage full of glorious complexity and gave you the task of learning how to glorify Him in light of the ingredients he stirred into the pot of your identity. He invites you to delve into a deeper understanding of who you are as an individual so that you can see yourself in light of who you are in the grander story hat he is writing.
You are black. And it is good.”
Thank you Jasmine for the reminder of how God is the creator of all things good through the promise of diversity. And it was good.
As a white mama of a Black boy, as well as a white woman striving for learning/wisdom in racial reconciliation in the church/our country and a general “remodel” from the history of church and our country that has been perverted in past centuries through today…this book was funny, challenging, heartbreaking and hopeful. 100% would recommend. 100% will re-read.
This was helpful to me. Helpful in understanding some of the challenges of being in the minority (in a white evangelical circle) and the importance of love being open to reason for understanding in our relationships. I need to read it again. I didn’t understand everything. Or might have misunderstood-which is why I can’t say if I agree or disagree with her at times. I admire her honesty and transparency.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from Netgalley. I cried reading Jasmine’s words to her son. In one letter she wrote, “He made you a little black boy on purpose. He stuck you into this particular moment of history with intention. I am not your mama on accident.”
I am an adoptive mother—a white mother raising a beautiful black boy. And while I know it’s not an accident that I’m his mother, I realize there will be things he experiences in his life that my husband and I will not be able to relate to and maybe not even understand. As a mom, that’s hard. And therefore, I’m thankful for the author’s words. I’m thankful she shared her thoughts, her worries, her prayers, her hopes and her dreams for her two boys.
This series of letters, though, are not just for mothers. They’re for everyone. This book gives an eye-opening look at some blind spots the church has—toward racism, injustice and hard conversations. The author touches hard topics with grace, humor and biblical wisdom.
I am an adoptive mother—a white mother raising a beautiful black boy. And while I know it’s not an accident that I’m his mother, I realize there will be things he experiences in his life that my husband and I will not be able to relate to and maybe not even understand. As a mom, that’s hard. And therefore, I’m thankful for the author’s words. I’m thankful she shared her thoughts, her worries, her prayers, her hopes and her dreams for her two boys.
This series of letters, though, are not just for mothers. They’re for everyone. This book gives an eye-opening look at some blind spots the church has—toward racism, injustice and hard conversations. The author touches hard topics with grace, humor and biblical wisdom.
I have long appreciated the wisdom and heart of Jasmine L. Holmes. I deeply respect her as a fellow Christian and a gifted communicator. Thus, I was excited to have the opportunity to review her new book, Mother to Son: Letters to a Black Boy on Identity and Hope.
Written in the style of short letters to her son, Wynn, Mother to Son is precious because it allows readers to enter into the hope and heaviness of motherhood. Expertly striking a balance between a gospel-oriented vision for the future and a realistic view of the challenges of life, including those which are unique to the Black community in America, Jasmine offers hope and wisdom both to her sons, and to the church.
Through Mother to Son, Jasmine welcomes readers into the tender and vulnerable thoughts of a mother for her son. Reminiscent of the language of Proverbs, such as “Listen, my son..”, this book reflects Jasmine’s desire to instill in her sons the importance of love, in addition to bold efforts to change the world.
Perhaps you might be wondering if this book is only of benefit to mothers. My answer is a resounding no! While I do not have children of my own, I found Mother to Son to be applicable to my own work in childcare, with families of many different backgrounds, ethnicities, and religious beliefs. Mother to Son is a valuable tool to both encourage and educate the church, and I have no doubt that it will leave you with a renewed passion for loving others well.
In Mother to Son, Jasmine leaves a legacy of grace and hope to her sons, and to the church. I highly recommend Mother to Son. The book is available today from Amazon, which means you can purchase it today- right from the comfort of your own home during this global pandemic.
Written in the style of short letters to her son, Wynn, Mother to Son is precious because it allows readers to enter into the hope and heaviness of motherhood. Expertly striking a balance between a gospel-oriented vision for the future and a realistic view of the challenges of life, including those which are unique to the Black community in America, Jasmine offers hope and wisdom both to her sons, and to the church.
Through Mother to Son, Jasmine welcomes readers into the tender and vulnerable thoughts of a mother for her son. Reminiscent of the language of Proverbs, such as “Listen, my son..”, this book reflects Jasmine’s desire to instill in her sons the importance of love, in addition to bold efforts to change the world.
Perhaps you might be wondering if this book is only of benefit to mothers. My answer is a resounding no! While I do not have children of my own, I found Mother to Son to be applicable to my own work in childcare, with families of many different backgrounds, ethnicities, and religious beliefs. Mother to Son is a valuable tool to both encourage and educate the church, and I have no doubt that it will leave you with a renewed passion for loving others well.
In Mother to Son, Jasmine leaves a legacy of grace and hope to her sons, and to the church. I highly recommend Mother to Son. The book is available today from Amazon, which means you can purchase it today- right from the comfort of your own home during this global pandemic.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced