Well I mentioned that I would discuss this so hear it is. Most should have heard about Mr. Alec Baldwin’s taped message to his daughter. I have heard a great deal about the reactions various talking heads have had about the tape, but of the ones I’ve heard talking about this I noticed not one was African American and I presume that more than a few believe in the ‘time-out’ and nanny philosophies in raising children. I will admit I have no direct evidence for my beliefs but it is based on my observations of their comments in various items dealing with children, and I may well be wrong.
There is a reason I directly mention the apparent lack of commentators that are African American (on the news programs I have seen). Of the black families I am aware of, spoken to, and was raised in this is not such a big deal. Yes Mr. Baldwin went overboard. He went too far, and significantly less reported was the fact that he recognized this and apologized to his daughter. That apology was before this voice mail was released by ‘someone’ to the public.
But I don’t think it was that big a deal. I have no doubt that similar outbursts have occurred in virtually every family in the world since probably the dawn of time. Many may not have been as harsh, and probably an equal number were worse. Unlike the pundits and talking heads I don’t see this as a “traumatic life altering event.” That is until the entire world was given access to this private matter. Normally I don’t comment on private matters of entertainers and celebrities but this one I will.
Every Black family has had a moment like this, to my knowledge. It happens. It doesn’t ruin the child nor is it abuse. The term abuse is so overused these days as to minimize what is the real damage actual abuse can cause. Perhaps if there were fewer parents that let television raise their kids, fewer time-outs, and fewer nannies raising children there would be fewer Virginia Tech and Columbine events. Being a parent isn’t about being the best friend of your child first, or following some rulebook that was created in the last 30 years, or never looking in your kids room. In the multiple millenniums of parents raising children, it’s only been the last maybe 40 years where books were necessary. Interesting how in that same timeframe the incidence of child violence (like Columbine, and child on child violence in all its forms) has grown; becoming a recurring tragedy now as opposed to a rare atrocity previously.
That is except in poor, non-white, inner city areas. There are no fewer guns today than in the last century probably. Gangs are as prevalent as ever. Drugs are prolific. Yet the overwhelming predominance of mass murderers, serial killers and other vile fiends are not found in inner cities. Shouldn’t someone ask why?
I think it’s because African American, Latino/Hispanic, and other minority families believe in the child having fear and respect for their parents, friendship is reserved for after the child being a grown adult. Notice that fear is the first part of the combination. That does not mean I condone terrorizing, or abusing a child. It does mean that a rod should not be spared, and over the top reactions to minor actions should cease.
Continued in part 2...
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