A timely piece by Terrence McCoy in the Washington Post recently highlighted the rise and fall of 43 year-old Toya Graham, heralded, "The Baltimore Mom". Graham rose to instant celebrity when she tracked her masked teenaged son down near Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore among a crowd, reportedly throwing rocks at the police in the midst of … Continue reading The Lives That No Longer Matter: “The Baltimore Mom”
Did Michelle Convince Her Boyfriend to Kill Himself?
The real tragedy of tragedy is not learning from tragedy. That’s what came to mind as I read this morning about Michelle Carter, an 18 year old Massachusetts high school senior who is on trial for manslaughter. Carter has been charged with manslaughter for encouraging, pressuring and repeatedly advising her boyfriend, who allegedly suffered from depression, to kill … Continue reading Did Michelle Convince Her Boyfriend to Kill Himself?
Back to School – Have You Told Your Child These Five Things?
Your teacher’s job isn’t to like you; your job is to learn. You might be fortunate enough to have teachers who you are “cool” with. But not having a friendly, relatable, or “cool” teacher is no excuse for not doing your best or not doing well. The reality is that no matter what you do, … Continue reading Back to School – Have You Told Your Child These Five Things?
The Punch Heard Round The World -The NY Jets’ Geno Smith and A Teachable Moment About Manhood
This week, the NFL and football fans everywhere were up in arms (or at least shaking their heads incessantly) about news that the New York Jets star quarterback, Geno Smith, would be out 6-10 weeks after suffering a broken jaw at the hands of a punch to the face by his teammate, IK Enemkpali. According … Continue reading The Punch Heard Round The World -The NY Jets’ Geno Smith and A Teachable Moment About Manhood
3 Important Things “Thank You” From a Child Can Mean
It's the little things in life that mean so much. Here are 3 simple but significant things a simple "thank you" from a child can mean: I am not entitled to what I have just received: An entitled child believes that they are entitled to what they want, when they want it. They believe that it is either … Continue reading 3 Important Things “Thank You” From a Child Can Mean
Three Keys to Unlocking Your Child’s Greatness
1. Capitalize on any spark of talent you see in your child and nurture it. The only difference between some of the most famous people we've ever heard of, and the many more we've NEVER heard of, is that someone recognized a spark, and nurtured it. World Boxing Champions Mike Tyson, Bernard Hopkins and Evander … Continue reading Three Keys to Unlocking Your Child’s Greatness
Thank You!!
Thank you to my friend and mentor, one of Morgan's finest, Dr. Russell Kelley, for being my author page's 1,000th LIKE!!!! To have achieved this in so short a time has been truly inspiring. Thanks to all of you who continue to support my dream to change the world through empowerment, self-awareness and the quest … Continue reading Thank You!!
Fatherhood is Dead
This Father’s Day, as Angelsoft wishes single mothers everywhere, “Happy Father’s Day”, I couldn’t help but say, “Damn, fatherhood is dead.” Not only is fatherhood dead, but society won’t even be able to engage in honest, candid, intellectual discourse about its demise. Particularly, it is unlikely that we will care enough to pause political correctness, … Continue reading Fatherhood is Dead
Listen Live! – Slam 101FM’s DJ Lady NV and Mervin Bourne Discuss Relationships…
– Listen Live @ http://www.slam101fm.com/live.php – Wednesday, June 17, 2015 – 11 a.m., where I’ll be interviewed by Slam’s Lady NV – Topic: Possession and ownership in relationships, and A Single Mother’s Guide.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 – 11 AM – Mervin A. Bourne, Jr. Will Appear on SLAM 101.1 FM…
– Listen Live @ http://www.slam101fm.com/live.php – June 9, 2015 – 11 a.m., where I’ll be interviewed by Slam’s DJ Lady NV! I'll discuss parenting, and my upcoming new book, A Single Mother's Guide to Raising a Son...
3 Things Boys (And Men !) Believe About Manhood That Are TOTALLY Wrong
1. Getting women/girls pregnant is a demonstration of manliness. The right mentors will teach your son that producing children has nothing to do with manhood, because nearly every man is born with the ability to procreate with a woman. Similarly, having many females can be a symbolic of many things that have nothing to do with manhood. … Continue reading 3 Things Boys (And Men !) Believe About Manhood That Are TOTALLY Wrong
3 Things Moms Teach Their Sons Everyday Without Even Knowing It!
You might be amazed how as mothers, you are being watched and scrutinized by your children. Without even realizing it, you are teaching them everyday - these three things: 1. How women deserve to be treated: If you carry yourself with respect and class, don’t let others disrespect you, mistreat you, take advantage of you, … Continue reading 3 Things Moms Teach Their Sons Everyday Without Even Knowing It!
Thank God for my HBCU: A Reflection on Duke University Professor Jerry Hough’s Baltimore Commentary By Mervin A. Bourne, Jr. May 19, 2015 @mervinbourne mervinbourne.com
Tonight I had the opportunity to read several articles about Professor Jerry Hough, the Political Science Professor from Duke University, who has made himself famous by expressing his honest opinions about a NY Times article entitled: “How Racism Doomed Baltimore.” I also made certain to find his actual comments and read them in their entirety, … Continue reading Thank God for my HBCU: A Reflection on Duke University Professor Jerry Hough’s Baltimore Commentary By Mervin A. Bourne, Jr. May 19, 2015 @mervinbourne mervinbourne.com
Share This With Every Mom You Know and Love…
So many mother's have sacrificed so much so many years. Take a moment to share this short video with a mother you know, love, or appreciate. It just might make their day.... thanks mom. And there's no need to wait until Sunday. Spread love today.
Three Important Things Our Sons Can Learn From @Floydmayweather
By Mervin A. Bourne, Jr. (5/2/15) If I had a dollar for every time I've heard someone tell me how much they hated Floyd Mayweather, I could retire today. And if I had another for every time this week I've heard someone say that they wish he'd get knocked out tonight, I'd be able to … Continue reading Three Important Things Our Sons Can Learn From @Floydmayweather
“Single Moms Should Never Tell Their Sons No”, And 2 Other Things You Should Stop Believing Immediately! By Mervin A. Bourne, Jr. April 30, 2015
Being a single mother has it’s own unique parenting pressures and challenges. They are multiplied when the child – unlike you – is a male. Don’t fall into the common trap of believing these three things: You should never tell your son he can’t have something. Understandably, there can be some guilt associated with single-motherhood … Continue reading “Single Moms Should Never Tell Their Sons No”, And 2 Other Things You Should Stop Believing Immediately! By Mervin A. Bourne, Jr. April 30, 2015
The Status Quo – A Take on the 1.5 Million Missing Black Men
By Mervin A. Bourne, Jr. I read an article in the New York Times this morning entitled, "1.5 Million Missing Black Men." (Wolfers, Leonhardt, Quealy) The article echoed themes that I have watched play out in living color for the last decade of my life, in courtrooms and communities in Newark, NJ, and in courtrooms … Continue reading The Status Quo – A Take on the 1.5 Million Missing Black Men
Are Single Parent Homes “Broken”??
I was doing some reading on the net this morning and came across an article from a writer who referred to single parent homes as "broken". It was actually meant to be an inspirational piece, within which the writer shared that she also grew up in a "broken" home. She goes on to tell her … Continue reading Are Single Parent Homes “Broken”??
5 Reasons Boys Underachieve
5 Reasons Why Boys Underachieve By Mervin A. Bourne, Jr. They haven’t learned that they are valuable. Boys must be taught their inherent value. If he believes that he is inherently valuable, he’ll be uncomfortable with doing, achieving, or obtaining less than he is capable of. He will develop a sense of pride that comes from … Continue reading 5 Reasons Boys Underachieve
Does Society Glamorize Single Motherhood?
This week I came across a beautiful picture of Nia Long on the cover of a prior Essence magazine with her two sons. Caption said, "Single, Satisfied, and Raising Her Boys." Then I came across another article by an author who opined that such articles were actually glamorizing single motherhood. So...obviously there are different schools … Continue reading Does Society Glamorize Single Motherhood?
Hello world!
Welcome to my blog! Lets get to it...It seems as though most everyone aspires to do better than the generation that came before us. Even if we are only moderately successful at this goal, we will inevitably have at least a little more than our parents had, and in turn, our children will have more … Continue reading Hello world!