Interesting discussion. I have a former student of mine that is a current Doctoral candidate. He posted an interesting take on this subject. The following are his words:
I totally disagree with the ways in which this video has been propped up as en example of "good parenting." I am even more disturbed that this has been co-opted by the media and police in particular as what "these mothers" should be doing when this sort of violence appropriately fits their interest of silencing opposition to the police. This is no judgment on the mother, but the reality is that all institutions we have existed in as Black folk have socialized us to be docile, to not fight back, to not engage in the very tactics that are at the core of American ideals of change and progress for the marginalized - protest, riot, violence.
In the instance of this video, she is being lauded as a hero for beating her son for involvement in the resistance against brutal cops by the very institutions (police and media) that had this occurred at any other moment, she would have been painted as a child abuser, negligent mother, and in need of state intervention for child care. This has been the historical narrative and response to women of color with children by the state... So what changed now is that it is in the interest of the state to spin this narrative as a convenient way of using the otherwise demonized black mother to aid in its goal of silencing dissent.
Now, the fear for this mother is real, and I in no way neglect her rationale for her actions. These are the realities Black mothers and fathers are dealing with when raising kids of color in America, especially when they want to participate in movements against inequality... My mother worries all the time when I tell her I am doing something of that nature because there are real consequences for people of color. But I cringe at her response and mostly the response of others, particularly the state and media, because I see the larger narrative of docility and the way the state and media selectively choose cases that conveniently fit thier interests but otherwise has destroyed the lives of others, in this case women of color.
So now violence becomes the answer when we beat our kids to get off the street protesting police brutality, but otherwise you better not beat your kid... I have a problem with that spin...
Thoughts?