Here’s an essay exploring the historical roots of the fractured state of many families in the so-called “Black” community, examining the tensions between mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, and the cultural practice of expelling children at 18. This phenomenon is deeply tied to the lasting effects of historical oppression, systemic racism, colonial disruption of family structures, and economic disenfranchisement.
The Fragmentation of the Moorish American Family: A Historical Analysis
The instability of families within the so-called “Black” community is not an accident of history, but a calculated consequence of centuries of systemic oppression, cultural erasure, and economic marginalization. The forced disconnection from ancestral traditions and the imposition of a foreign social structure have resulted in generational dysfunction, shaping the way parents relate to their children. The challenges faced by these families—including the adversarial relationships between mothers and daughters, the competitive nature of father-son dynamics, and the tendency to expel children at 18—can all be traced back to slavery, colonial rule, and social engineering designed to disrupt the unity of Moorish American households.
1. The Disruption of Family Structures During Slavery
During the transatlantic slave trade, European enslavers strategically broke apart families, often selling fathers away from their wives and children. This was done to ensure that the enslaved population would remain dependent on the enslavers rather than form cohesive units capable of resistance. Mothers were left to raise children alone under oppressive conditions, forcing them into roles that required harsh discipline and emotional detachment for survival. The lingering effects of this systemic destruction of family bonds are still visible today in the strained relationships between parents and children.
2. The Mother-Daughter Divide: A Legacy of Survivalism
One of the most painful fractures within the Moorish American family is the strained relationship between mothers and daughters. Historically, enslaved women endured sexual violence from their captors, leading to complex emotional traumas. In many cases, mothers attempted to shield their daughters from similar fates by imposing strict discipline, sometimes appearing excessively harsh or even emotionally distant. Over generations, this survival-based parenting approach persisted, with many mothers viewing their daughters as competition for male attention rather than allies. The lack of nurturing in these relationships has led to resentment and generational cycles of dysfunction.
3. The Father-Son Struggle: A Product of Powerlessness
In traditional African and Moorish societies, fathers played a crucial role in mentoring their sons, passing down wisdom, trade skills, and leadership principles. However, in the context of enslavement and post-slavery economic disenfranchisement, fathers were stripped of their ability to provide and protect. As a result, many fathers developed an internalized sense of inadequacy, leading to envy or resentment toward their sons when they showed signs of promise. Rather than guiding their sons to surpass them, some fathers, having been conditioned by centuries of oppression, actively discouraged their growth. This dynamic was reinforced by economic instability, where opportunities were scarce, making it difficult for fathers to see their sons prosper without feeling overshadowed.
4. The Role of Jim Crow and Economic Disenfranchisement
Following the abolition of slavery, Jim Crow laws and redlining policies ensured that Moorish American families remained economically disadvantaged. The inability to accumulate generational wealth led to stress and frustration within households. Fathers who could not find stable employment often abandoned their families, leaving mothers to raise children alone. This created an expectation of self-sufficiency in women while simultaneously fostering resentment toward men who were perceived as unreliable. These conditions further cemented divisions between fathers and sons, as young boys grew up witnessing the failures of their fathers and either resented them or feared repeating their struggles.
5. The Welfare System and Its Impact on Family Unity
In the mid-20th century, the U.S. government introduced welfare policies that, while providing financial assistance, also contributed to the fragmentation of families. Many of these programs discouraged marriage by denying benefits to households with a male presence. As a result, many fathers were either forced out of their homes or made to feel unnecessary, further widening the gap between men and their families. The absence of strong paternal figures led to distorted perceptions of masculinity, where young men either rejected their fathers’ failures or replicated them unknowingly.
6. The Psychological Burden of Generational Trauma
Generational trauma plays a significant role in the dysfunction observed in modern Moorish American families. The accumulated stress of centuries of oppression manifests in unresolved anger, depression, and a lack of emotional regulation. Mothers, having endured hardship, sometimes project their frustrations onto their daughters. Fathers, having been emasculated by systemic barriers, may find it difficult to express love and guidance to their sons. These unresolved traumas create cycles of pain that persist through generations, making healing difficult.
7. The Cultural Shift Toward Individualism
Another factor contributing to the breakdown of family cohesion is the cultural shift toward hyper-individualism. Traditional African and Moorish societies emphasized collectivism, where extended families supported one another, and children were raised with the expectation that they would contribute to the household until they were fully prepared to lead their own. In contrast, Western capitalist societies promote individual success at the expense of community well-being. This mindset has led to the practice of expelling children at 18, as parents, burdened by economic hardship, often view their offspring as an additional responsibility rather than an investment in the future.
8. The Influence of Media and Miseducation
The portrayal of Moorish Americans in mainstream media has further reinforced negative stereotypes about family dysfunction. Television, music, and films often depict broken families, absentee fathers, and hostile mother-daughter relationships as the norm. Without counter-narratives that highlight successful, unified families, many young people unconsciously accept these portrayals as reality, perpetuating self-destructive behaviors.
9. The Lack of Rites of Passage and Cultural Identity
In traditional societies, rites of passage marked the transition from childhood to adulthood, providing young men and women with a sense of responsibility and belonging. The absence of such cultural traditions in modern Moorish American families leaves many young people directionless. Without structured mentorship and community guidance, they are left to navigate adulthood on their own, often making avoidable mistakes along the way. Parents, having no framework for guiding their children into maturity, default to Western practices, such as expelling children at 18, without considering the long-term consequences.
10. Rebuilding the Family: A Path Forward
Healing and rebuilding the Moorish American family requires a conscious effort to reclaim ancestral wisdom and reject the destructive influences of colonial programming. This means fostering emotional intelligence within families, encouraging fathers to mentor their sons, and reshaping the mother-daughter dynamic into one of mutual support rather than competition. It also requires economic empowerment initiatives that allow families to thrive together rather than be divided by financial strain. By embracing a communal mindset and reinstating traditional values, Moorish American families can break free from generational cycles of dysfunction and restore their legacy of strength and unity.
Conclusion The fractured state of many Moorish American families is not an inherent flaw but the result of systemic engineering designed to dismantle cultural cohesion. The adversarial relationships between parents and children stem from centuries of oppression, economic disenfranchisement, and the loss of ancestral traditions. However, by recognizing these patterns and actively working to dismantle them, it is possible to restore the foundations of strong, united families. The solution lies in education, economic empowerment, emotional healing, and a return to collective cultural values that prioritize family and community over individual survival.
