Biocultural and intersectional analyses of Black motherwork and children in Georgia

ABSTRACT

Biocultural studies have illuminated the roles of slavery, racism, and economic marginalization on the health outcomes of African diasporic populations. This paper highlights Black women as historical agents who, after slavery, exerted greater autonomy over their reproductive roles in childbirth and childcare. The paper’s objectives and interpretations are situated within Black feminists’ discourses on Black motherhood as both a site of subjugation and of empowerment. Raced and gendered oppression meant that Black women’s reproductive and productive demands were burdensome. Yet, Black women’s lower fertility rates over time indicate that many of them chose to bear fewer children following slavery, a decision that is partially implicated in their increased longevity. Further, there is bioarchaeological and historical evidence illustrating how Black mothering practices, including women’s social networks, benefited children’s well-being. Comparative data for the occurrence of linear enamel hypoplasias among enslaved and free Black populations suggest that post-emancipation women prolonged nursing, which helped children to survive chronic stress.

KEYWORDS:

• African Americans
• bioarchaeology
• gender
• black feminist theory
• Black motherhood
• enamel hypoplasia

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge descendants Skip Mason, Talerie Boyd, and Sherry Wilder for their support of the Avondale project. Julie Coco and Staci Richey conducted historical research on Avondale, and Kristen Lockerman did so for the HAAF. Valerie Davis and Carla de la Rosa examined the skeletal and dental remains for these projects. We thank Anna Agbe-Davies for comments on earlier drafts. Two anonymous reviewers provided constructive feedback that strengthened the paper; for this, we are grateful. The HAAF projects were conducted following Scopes of Work issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers on September 18, 2006, and August 15, 2007, under Contract No. W912HN-05-D-0014. Recovery of Avondale was a Georgia Department of Transportation investigation under Contract No. TOOELENV060077 for a Scope of Work issued on November 21, 2008. Both recovery projects were accomplished in accordance with GA Code 36–72.

Data availability statement

Dental data for the HAAF cemeteries are permanently archived at the Ft. Stewart Archaeological Collections Repository, Georgia. All of the remaining data used in this paper are available in the cited publications and reports.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on the contributors

Maria Franklin is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Texas-Austin.

Samuel M. Wilson is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the University of Texas-Austin.

Hugh B. Matternes is Director of Mortuary Archaeology and Principal Investigator at New South Associates, Inc., Stone Mountain, Georgia.