For some, Mother's Day is just another work day, and maybe they'll see the kids before or after work, and maybe they won't see them at all. For some, it's a painful reminder of how far away their kids are, even when they're in the same city.
I'm thinking today about Angel Yulee Adams, mother of fifteen, twelve of them minors. The children were taken from Ms. Adams last week, and are in state custody. "Kidnapped," is how Ms. Adams describes it.
Angel Adams stands accused of neglect, because she is poor. She was evicted from her apartment because she had "too many" kids, and all the family's belongings were dumped in the street. Angel herself grew up in a close knit loving family of ten. In a recent Tampa Tribune article Mary Yulee, Angel's 72 year old mother calls her daughter a "warrior," and adds that she's glad she's a warrior.
Still, being poor, female and a warrior can bring you trouble. We in the USA--especially in the south--seem to prefer our poor (like our workers) to be docile and obedient. The southern states don't like labor unions and they don't like self determining poor women.
The neglect allegations stem from a period in 2008 when TECO electric cut off the power in Angel's house. Instead of demanding TECO restore power to a home with a woman and her small children, the state seized her kids and placed them in foster care for a time. They were all later returned to her.
Angel Adams asks for financial assistance to raise her kids, and is called ungrateful. The state comes to the hotel where she had moved in desperation after being evicted from her apartment. The state promised to put her and the children in a house and Angel reportedly asked "What's the catch?"
By the end of the week she's jailed for contempt and her kids are seized. That's the catch.
To those who know her best, Angel Adams is a good person and good mother. She doesn't drink or smoke. She doesn't go out without her kids. She has never been accused of drug abuse, or child abuse. The children are said to be exceptional students, polite and well mannered.
When asked by the judge whether she was pregnant, Ms. Adams reportedly replied, "No comment, your honor." For that answer, she was jailed for contempt, and her children were placed in foster care.
The online blogs and comments sections have filled up with hate and fury directed at the woman who claims governance over her own fertility. I have a gut feeling there's a lot more to this than is being reported. And, if I can interview Ms. Adams, I'd like to get an email from her...
So...where's the so called women's movement on this one?
(PS--Ma, wherever you are, not a day goes by that I don't think of you and miss you.)
I'm thinking today about Angel Yulee Adams, mother of fifteen, twelve of them minors. The children were taken from Ms. Adams last week, and are in state custody. "Kidnapped," is how Ms. Adams describes it.
Angel Adams stands accused of neglect, because she is poor. She was evicted from her apartment because she had "too many" kids, and all the family's belongings were dumped in the street. Angel herself grew up in a close knit loving family of ten. In a recent Tampa Tribune article Mary Yulee, Angel's 72 year old mother calls her daughter a "warrior," and adds that she's glad she's a warrior.
Still, being poor, female and a warrior can bring you trouble. We in the USA--especially in the south--seem to prefer our poor (like our workers) to be docile and obedient. The southern states don't like labor unions and they don't like self determining poor women.
The neglect allegations stem from a period in 2008 when TECO electric cut off the power in Angel's house. Instead of demanding TECO restore power to a home with a woman and her small children, the state seized her kids and placed them in foster care for a time. They were all later returned to her.
Angel Adams asks for financial assistance to raise her kids, and is called ungrateful. The state comes to the hotel where she had moved in desperation after being evicted from her apartment. The state promised to put her and the children in a house and Angel reportedly asked "What's the catch?"
By the end of the week she's jailed for contempt and her kids are seized. That's the catch.
To those who know her best, Angel Adams is a good person and good mother. She doesn't drink or smoke. She doesn't go out without her kids. She has never been accused of drug abuse, or child abuse. The children are said to be exceptional students, polite and well mannered.
When asked by the judge whether she was pregnant, Ms. Adams reportedly replied, "No comment, your honor." For that answer, she was jailed for contempt, and her children were placed in foster care.
The online blogs and comments sections have filled up with hate and fury directed at the woman who claims governance over her own fertility. I have a gut feeling there's a lot more to this than is being reported. And, if I can interview Ms. Adams, I'd like to get an email from her...
So...where's the so called women's movement on this one?
(PS--Ma, wherever you are, not a day goes by that I don't think of you and miss you.)
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