In The Community
The dynamic new play is produced by the Black Latina Movement, an award-winning grassroots theater company and cultural group dedicated to advancing African and Latino cultures through storytelling and visual representation. The company provides a platform for diverse talent to showcase their artistry through a variety of creative projects, promote diversity in local communities, and create inclusive spaces.
The Black Latina Movement was founded by Jamaican-Puerto Rican Crystal Shaniece Roman in 2008. Roman is also the writer and director of the critically acclaimed “Of Mothers and Men.” Derived from the American classic written by John Steinbeck, “Of Mice and Men,” the play offers a unique perspective on women, their mothers, and their relationships with men.
“After creating The Black Latina Movement in 2008, I knew it was time for the world to see us for who we are and not the box they put us in. With all the social and economic issues we are facing in the world, I know that time is here. I want to help broaden the spectrum of hues the industry has and provide the further depth it so desperately needs,” Roman says in her Creator Statement.
“Through the medium of the arts, now more than ever we need to showcase the diversity of women and our multiplicities, especially those for women of color. As a Black Latina, my perspective may be unique but shares so many commonalities with many women of multicultural backgrounds,” Roman concluded.
Promotional image by “Of Mothers and Men” on Instagram
“Of Mothers and Men” is a monologue-driven play where each of the 9 vignettes offers a profound look into the significance of two of the most influential people in one’s life. Each monologue is delivered by a different character and their age and background color their perception, making each of their perspectives unique and nuanced. The play is not only female-created, it’s also female-funded and it boasts an all-female cast of Latina and African American women, including Roman herself.
“The lives of Black and Latino people are more than the pain and trauma that has been woven into the tapestry of our strength. We deserve to have more conversations about the dynamics of our healthy relationships, as well as more expressions of the complexities that exist within the arts,” said Roman in a recent press release. This is the core of “Of Mothers and Men” and it accomplishes those conversations beautifully.
What makes the play resonate with women across the board, but especially Latina, Afro-Latina, and African American women, is that each monologue is honest and raw, unraveling the joy and pain that stems from each character’s relationship with their mothers and the men in their lives.
Because each vignette offers a unique perspective, together they explore a wide spectrum of experiences, providing visibility and much-needed contrast while revealing cultural insights. Audiences may easily find at least one story they can directly relate to, and the ones they can’t relate to still provide eye-opening points of view, prompting them to think more deeply about their own dynamics and peel back the layers.
Promotional image by “Of Mothers and Men” on Instagram
First created in 2010, the play had its first off-Broadway run in 2012 and toured the Northeast. Over a decade later, “Of Mothers and Men” is coming back to the stage in New York City from May 7 to May 11 at the wild project in the East Village and it’s one of the Mother’s Day Week events you shouldn’t miss if you’re in the city.
You can get your tickets here and mark your calendar for a transformative experience.
Image by March of Dimes
For Latina mothers, one of the main factors contributing to maternal mortality is a lack of insurance and access to health care. According to a 2019 report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Latina mothers were less likely to receive prenatal care compared to white mothers.
Moreover, racial disparities and systemic racism are major factors contributing to maternal mortality among women of color. According to a recent study, the actions of healthcare providers and their interactions with patients reveal an implicit bias for white women and discrimination against women of color.
Not only are women of color often dismissed regarding symptoms and concerns during pregnancy, but they’re also mistreated. A survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that 30% of Black women, 29% of Latina women, and 27% of multiracial women experienced mistreatment during pregnancy or birth, compared to 19% of white women.
Within this context, doulas are providing much-needed support to Latina mothers and empowering them through dedicated services.
The Reality of Latina Mothers
In an interview for BBC, Surey Rodriguez-Cortes, a certified doula, shed light on how Latino doulas are changing the field, which “has been composed predominantly of middle-class white women for decades.” Rodriguez-Cortes shared that she has seen a rise in the number of people of color entering doula work every year. Diversity in this field is essential because culture informs the way women approach birth and the decisions they make regarding things like pain management.
For Latina mothers, for example, labor pain is regarded as a motherly obligation, leading them to decline pain medication often. The fact is that traditions and beliefs affect the experience of giving birth, but healthcare providers often don’t consider them because of their biases and stereotypical beliefs about women of color.
There’s proof of consistent stigma and bias in maternity care for Latina women and women of color overall. That manifests through mistreatment like ignoring requests for help, dismissing symptoms of concerns, shouting or scolding, being forced to accept unwanted treatment, and more. For Latina women who don’t speak English, this mistreatment is even more likely.
Giving birth in the U.S., especially for women of color, can be a traumatic experience where mothers feel like they don’t have a voice. Latino doulas seek to change this reality for Latina mothers by providing an empowered birth and postpartum experience. Having a doula makes a big difference, especially if they can incorporate cultural practices, help eliminate language barriers, and provide guidance in navigating the challenges and disparities in the healthcare system.
The Impact of Culturally Competent Doulas
Doulas are trained professionals who provide emotional and physical support before, during, and after birth. The term “doulas” and “midwives” is often used interchangeably, but their roles are different. The main difference is that midwives provide medical care while doulas don’t.
The main role of the doula is to make the birthing experience as comfortable as possible through various methods, such as massages, position suggestions, advocacy, and more. In other words, a doula is a protector and a champion for mothers in the delivery room (or at home if mothers decide to have a home birth) and beyond.
What makes Latine doulas different is that they have the cultural background other doulas lack. This allows them to understand Latine mothers, their challenges, and their beliefs a lot better, so they can provide support with the necessary cultural considerations to get them the kind of birth they deserve.
Moreover, Latine doulas eliminate language barriers for mothers who don’t speak English and advocate for them, helping them navigate the healthcare system more effectively. Latine doulas ensure mothers don’t lose their voice at any step of the way, and they listen to their wishes to effectively communicate them to healthcare providers, acting as advocates for mothers.
Latine mothers who have worked with Latine doulas report a more positive birthing experience where they feel heard, protected, and comfortable. Given that they are greatly affected by maternal mortality, having a doula by their side can reduce many of the risks by ensuring that they’re listened to instead of dismissed and tended to instead of mistreated during one of the most consequential moments of their lives.
