"I am Mama" is the phrase God gave mom-of-four Kierra Henderson as she wrestled with the tragic death of George Floyd. And the power behind those three simple words is truly inspiring!
Kierra Henderson, mom to four boys ages 7, 5, 3, and 2, has a lot to say. She's a skilled photographer and the brains behind the Beloved Mama blog. This talented Richmond mama has even been a contributing writer before here at God Updates.
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So, Kierra just knew she had to say something when the tragic events surrounding George Floyd’s arrest and subsequent death while in police custody occurred. But what would she say?
As Kierra's heart wrestled to find the right words, she turned to God for help.
"After I watched the video of George Floyd being murdered on the street I was speechless like so many of us were," Kierra said. "But I knew it was time for me to start speaking out against the injustices happening to my people. So many of us wept and prayed. I did too. I prayed and said, 'God, I don't know what to say, but I want to say something.' Then I heard a quietness in my heart say, 'I’ll give you the words.'"
Those words were simple, and yet so powerful: "I Am Mama." They spoke to the moment in the video of George Floyd where he cried out for his mama several times.
"There is an instinctive and universal language of motherhood, and every mother felt the heartbeat of George’s cry for 'mama.' We knew exactly what it meant," Kierra explained. "We sobbed because no one answered him. Now we are answering the call in the best way we know how, as mothers."
Beloved Mama Kierra Henderson responded in a profound way with her heartfelt social post that's since gone viral.
"George, we heard your cry for Mama! We wept as we listened, and we realized that Mama was also justice, air, and love. Black mamas understood and white mamas stood and declared I AM MAMA! We are all running to answer you.
I AM MAMA - I am bold. I am bold enough to challenge and confront any and all racism and fear within my own heart. I recognize that this is the most important work I can do.⠀
I AM MAMA - I speak. I fearlessly speak, challenge, and confront all acts of racism in my home, my place of worship, my work, in my grocery store, and any place where I am present. My voice cannot be silenced because of fear or thoughts of inadequacy. ⠀
I AM MAMA - l comfort. I seek to comfort the pain and the lamenting of others. Because I am a mama I instinctively know when my shoulder is needed to cry on, and when my arms are needed to hug. ⠀
I AM MAMA - I listen. I listen to opinions that are uncomfortable and unlike mine for the sake of my children. ⠀
I AM MAMA- I see. I see the differences in others. I am not color blind, however, I am color aware. Blindness leads to unawareness, unawareness leads to inaction. I act because I can see. My awareness of our differences empowers me to truly love unconditionally and appreciate every uniqueness.
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I AM MAMA - I learn. I take the time to learn the world outside of my own, realizing that the experiences of others are valid and real. I do not discredit what is unfamiliar to me or what makes me uncomfortable. My teachable heart cultivates wisdom in my actions. ⠀
I AM MAMA - I heal. I tirelessly pour out my love to assurethat every child, of every color, has the same privileges as the next.⠀
I AM MAMA - because of my love - and loving is what I do best. ⠀
This is our battle cry! … I. AM. MAMA! ⠀
George, we hear you. And we are here.⠀
I AM MAMA!⠀
Declare it. Live it. Share it."
Kierra's beautiful post called for mothers everywhere to unite against racism and injustice. And the astounding response transformed into a movement of its own!
"One by one they started standing -- it was in the comment section of the post, but I could feel it like we were all in the same room," Kierra Henderson said.
The incredible response left Kierra stunned and amazed by what God can do.
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And she's trusting Him and all of the mamas out there to inspire the changes needed to bring an end to systemic racism and the things dividing His children.
"I believe that we are one generation away from changing the world, and us mothers have a powerful role in that," she said. "Every mother can’t go out and protest. But every mother can protest racism within her own spheres of influence. I hope that mothers are inspired to use their gifts, talents, and instincts to finally bring victory to this long-fought war against racism."
What an incredible reminder of the power each one of us holds. When we raise our voices in love, in righteousness, and in accord with the Lord's will, we will be heard!
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Be sure to keep up with the incredible Beloved Mama, Kierra Henderson, on Facebook or Instagram.
Featured Image: Instagram/Beloved Mama
Mel is the senior writer for GodUpdates, finding, writing and sharing Christian, uplifting, and health-related stories from around the world. Mel has a passion for writing and graduated with a degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. When she’s not researching and writing stories, Mel is very active in her church. You can usually find Mel playing board games with her husband and two young girls, giving someone a hug, or hunting down a good cup of coffee!