What We Didn’t Get

What We Didn't Get explores how systemic racism, historical trauma, and poverty have disrupted critical developmental stages in the African American community. What We Didn't Get is a research- and evidence-based work, grounded in scholarly study and documented sources, while also drawing from lived experience and the perspective gained through a lifetime of reflection. Written in a memoir-style form, it blends personal memory with research, evidence, and analysis to examine not only what was experienced, but what the broader record reveals about why those experiences matter. Drawing on and critically examining the developmental theories of Abraham Maslow, Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, and Urie Bronfenbrenner, Linda Landum examines how missed milestones in trust, identity, and emotional security impact children, families, and entire communities across generations. Challenging traditional Eurocentric developmental theories, this book reframes growth and healing through a culturally responsive lens, highlighting resilience, reclaiming lost stages, and offering practical, affirming strategies. At its core, this work calls for action: repair what was interrupted, strengthen emotional foundations, and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.