Black Single Moms Attacked. Jamilah Lemieux's Black. Single. Mother Claps Back #TheOtherSideOfChange

Since the 1970s, the Reagan administration notoriously fueled misogynistic narratives about single Black mothers as 'welfare queens,' draining federal resources. This lie continues to impact public policy, leading to underfunding of essential programs like public school lunches and EBT, while war and 'vanity projects' receive funding.

Hosts Bria Baker and Jamir Burley discuss the historical context, citing the Reagan administration's 'welfare queen' narrative and its ongoing impact.

Disrespect for Black single mothers also comes from within the Black community, particularly from some Black male celebrities who praise their mothers but then denigrate other Black women they've made single mothers, perpetuating stereotypes of 'bitter' or 'greedy baby mamas.'

Jamir Burley points out that 'sometimes that hate is coming from inside the house,' referencing Black male celebrities and artists like Kanye West.

The terms 'baby mama' and 'baby daddy,' popularized in the late 1990s, have been weaponized in popular culture, particularly hip-hop, to villainize and delegitimize unmarried parents, making women feel 'low' and implying they are not worthy partners or good mothers. This contributes to children feeling inherently flawed due to their birth circumstances.

Jamila Lemieux discusses the origin and harmful usage of 'baby mama' and 'baby daddy' in popular culture, noting its derogatory implications.

Both conservative and, at times, Democratic parties have used the concept of the 'unfit, unwed mother' to demonize Black women and harm Black communities. The 'welfare queen' myth, though disproven (white women are the largest recipients of benefits, which are negligible), was used to justify welfare reform efforts that made it harder for low-income mothers to survive.

Jamila Lemieux details how the Reagan and Nixon administrations popularized the 'welfare queen' myth and how the Clinton administration's welfare reform efforts were influenced by this narrative.

Jamila Lemieux's book introduces a 'Baby Mama's Bill of Rights,' advocating for entitlements such as physical and financial support from co-parents, shared child-rearing responsibilities, access to living wage work, and community support (villages) to provide rest and affirmation. It calls for a reconsideration of the Black single mother experience, challenging widely held negative beliefs.

Jamila Lemieux describes the 'Baby Mama's Bill of Rights' from her book, outlining the support and respect single mothers deserve.