Comments on: Spanking black children and the legacy of slavery http://deeshaphilyaw.com/2008/05/01/spanking-black-children-and-the-legacy-of-slavery/ Making multi-tasking look good since 1998. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:03:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: deesha http://deeshaphilyaw.com/2008/05/01/spanking-black-children-and-the-legacy-of-slavery/#comment-1070 deesha Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:47:38 +0000 http://deeshaphilyaw.com/2008/05/01/spanking-black-children-and-the-legacy-of-slavery/#comment-1070 Some blacks who spank make the connection to slavery themselves; this is not a connection I personally am making--I'm just the messenger. I am not the subject of the article/interview above, and in my limited writing on the subject (one essay published in two places, not this blog) I've cited slavery as one of several reasons blacks give for spanking. So, I am not "continuing" to make this argument. Also, stating that there is a connection between slavery and spanking is not the same thing as stating that spanking originated in slavery. And nowhere have I said that spanking is a black thing. However, blacks are the only people I know (well, blacks, and some white evangelicals) who are loud and proud about spanking. White comedians don't typically joke about spanking; black ones do. Aside from one white evangelical spanker, I've never had a white person or person of any other ethnicity question me about the idea of not spanking. Just black folks. This is why I wrote my essay about blacks, specifically, and spanking. If no one is telling you (the general you-spanker) not to spank, why do you feel the need to defend the practice and suggest that others should spank, especially by invoking God's name? If spanking is working for you and yours, and not spanking is working for others...then why continually make the case for spanking? Why not live and let live? What I object to is this idea that to be a good effective parent, you MUST spank. I object to the idea that spanking is synonymous with discipline and that children who aren't spanked are undisciplined and doomed, all evidence to the contrary. Finally, you ask, "What do you do when all else fails?" When all else fails, I'll let you know. You do realize that many people in the world become upstanding citizens without ever being spanked, right? What do you think their parents did? Maybe they yelled a lot, who knows? But just because you can't imagine alternatives, or don't think they will work, doesn't mean they don't exist and aren't effective for others. Some blacks who spank make the connection to slavery themselves; this is not a connection I personally am making–I’m just the messenger. I am not the subject of the article/interview above, and in my limited writing on the subject (one essay published in two places, not this blog) I’ve cited slavery as one of several reasons blacks give for spanking. So, I am not “continuing” to make this argument.

Also, stating that there is a connection between slavery and spanking is not the same thing as stating that spanking originated in slavery. And nowhere have I said that spanking is a black thing. However, blacks are the only people I know (well, blacks, and some white evangelicals) who are loud and proud about spanking. White comedians don’t typically joke about spanking; black ones do. Aside from one white evangelical spanker, I’ve never had a white person or person of any other ethnicity question me about the idea of not spanking. Just black folks. This is why I wrote my essay about blacks, specifically, and spanking.

If no one is telling you (the general you-spanker) not to spank, why do you feel the need to defend the practice and suggest that others should spank, especially by invoking God’s name? If spanking is working for you and yours, and not spanking is working for others…then why continually make the case for spanking? Why not live and let live?

What I object to is this idea that to be a good effective parent, you MUST spank. I object to the idea that spanking is synonymous with discipline and that children who aren’t spanked are undisciplined and doomed, all evidence to the contrary.

Finally, you ask, “What do you do when all else fails?” When all else fails, I’ll let you know.

You do realize that many people in the world become upstanding citizens without ever being spanked, right? What do you think their parents did? Maybe they yelled a lot, who knows? But just because you can’t imagine alternatives, or don’t think they will work, doesn’t mean they don’t exist and aren’t effective for others.

]]> By: monique http://deeshaphilyaw.com/2008/05/01/spanking-black-children-and-the-legacy-of-slavery/#comment-1069 monique Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:03:20 +0000 http://deeshaphilyaw.com/2008/05/01/spanking-black-children-and-the-legacy-of-slavery/#comment-1069 you continue to reiterate the connection of spanking relative to slavery and blacks. slavery did not begin with blacks. nor did punishment, or remaining in a certain "place." different cultures all over the world and throughout history supported the idea that a particular behavior was required of its citizenry. God punished not only by instruction but by suffering, physical suffering. This "example" has already been set since the beginning of our race. But, what I do believe is that spanking should be used in extreme cases, never to injur, and should be reinforced with explaination and love. its not a black thing. its not some subconcience extension of slavery. what do you do when all else fails you continue to reiterate the connection of spanking relative to slavery and blacks. slavery did not begin with blacks. nor did punishment, or remaining in a certain “place.” different cultures all over the world and throughout history supported the idea that a particular behavior was required of its citizenry. God punished not only by instruction but by suffering, physical suffering. This “example” has already been set since the beginning of our race. But, what I do believe is that spanking should be used in extreme cases, never to injur, and should be reinforced with explaination and love. its not a black thing. its not some subconcience extension of slavery. what do you do when all else fails

]]> By: All About Race » Blog Archive » Teachers more likely to spank, paddle, beat black children http://deeshaphilyaw.com/2008/05/01/spanking-black-children-and-the-legacy-of-slavery/#comment-1017 All About Race » Blog Archive » Teachers more likely to spank, paddle, beat black children Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:01:04 +0000 http://deeshaphilyaw.com/2008/05/01/spanking-black-children-and-the-legacy-of-slavery/#comment-1017 [...] he is beaten for curiosity, when he’s beaten for “ants in the pants”, what do you think that teaches him about exploration of his [...] […] he is beaten for curiosity, when he’s beaten for “ants in the pants”, what do you think that teaches him about exploration of his […]

]]> By: Carmen D. http://deeshaphilyaw.com/2008/05/01/spanking-black-children-and-the-legacy-of-slavery/#comment-1016 Carmen D. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:50:34 +0000 http://deeshaphilyaw.com/2008/05/01/spanking-black-children-and-the-legacy-of-slavery/#comment-1016 Impressive post. Thank you. CArmen D. www.allaboutrace.com Impressive post.

Thank you.

CArmen D.

www.allaboutrace.com

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