This week, while scrolling on TikTok, (yes, I admit that I have lost hours on this app), I stumbled upon an extremely funny video about a mother and why she is constantly checking on her teenage children. She prefaced her response to the child about constantly being in his business by stating, "As a black mom, these are the reasons that I am always in your business." For me, it offended me a little. All mothers are constantly checking on their children when it is too quiet. When my daughter was four years old, she was extremely quiet in her bedroom and when I went in to check on her, she was coloring on all her Barbie dolls with a black sharpie. "I'm giving them make-up just like you wear, Mommy." We had to throw all those Barbies out. Now, when she is too quiet, I still check on her and she's never doing anything wrong. She's usually just watching TV, but I still feel the need to peak in.
I proceeded to leave a comment on this woman's video because she was hysterical. Her points were valid. She was right in saying that moms are always worried about their children, no matter their age. However, when she referred to herself as a black mom, it did bother me. I realize this is a silly thing to get offended about, but there was no reason to state that part. We can see that she was black. What she forgot is that not all moms are black, and therefore her statement was unnecessary.
This week, we have learned a lot about prejudice and racism. It has upped my awareness of the comments that are being spoken around me. I am not out and about very much because of the pandemic, so the conversations I hear are always at work and since I work with a bunch of teachers, our conversations are pretty tame. There is occasionally a comment made, but it is followed up with a conversation and then squashed. What I also really like about the people I work with is that we can say things to each other and there is no offense taken. We banter back and forth and no one gets upset. If something is said, it is always in fun and there is no truth behind the statement. We all laugh at the end.
H Leanne,
ReplyDeleteYour blof was very interesting. I can understand how her comments may have bothered you because as you said all moms should be concerned when their children are a bit too quiet. I also can see why she might of mention being a black mom. With the racial issues of today black mothers have to constantly remind their children about keeping a low key and not drawing special attention to themselves. Especially in these times however this has been the case throughout history be invisible. She probably wanted to make sure he was not doing something he that he was not suppose to be doing.Cynthia
Leanne,
ReplyDeleteThis is the most difficult class for me yet. I do not like talking discrimination of any kind because it can be interpreted in so many ways. I agree, that you and the lady in the TikTok are both moms. In class we discussed intersectionality of identities and I would view her point from not only a mother but a black mother. It is very common for society to look at black parents as not caring for their child or their education. I did not see her TikTok and I don’t know what she meant. What we all have in common is that we are all caring mothers, on top of hers, she’s also black and there are many stereotypes for her to face.
SScott