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Have you ever been in the grocery store and fantasized about "whooping" somebody else's screaming kids? Don't lie, you know you've thought about it. Even though living out your fantasy might have made your day, you probably didn't do it. If you had, you would be in the same predicament as Roger Stevens, a 61 year old man in Georgia who decided to take the discipline of a woman's child into his own hands.
After growing tired of listening to the woman's 2-year old cry, Stevens told Sonya Mathews "if you don't shut that baby up, I will shut her up for you."
After the child continued to cry, Stevens slapped the child several times across the face. Stephens then told Mathews, "See, I told you I would shut her up," according to the police report.
Police are charging Stevens with felony cruelty to children. The child was not injured but sustained redness to the face. The child's mother might even make some money from this incident, as I am sure civil charges will be filed. But this case brings up a great deal of sentiment within the black community.
Did you grow up getting spanked as a child? Do you think that spanking children is ok? What about the old fashioned stories about anyone in the neighborhood having the right to discipline the children in the community? Does it matter that Stevens was white and the child was black? What do you think his intentions were?
Obviously, his actions were illegal and he is going to pay a major price. But what does this incident bring to mind for you?
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Distinguished Scholar with the Barbara Jordan Institute for Policy Research. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.
Comments: (124)
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By: sewfulsinger on 9/08/2009 3:29PM
I agree agree the man's reaction was not smart or wise of him to do. While I don't know whether or not he is a racist, his reaction may have had something to do with his age. I have been in the presence of many of our elders who have a very low tolerance for the behavior of young children (crying, whining, etc.), including my grandmother, whom, although is older than 71, isn't good around the "noise." Even if she doesn't "say" anything some times, you can see her displeasure in her body language, and I'm sure my grandmother loves children.
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By: Candice on 9/08/2009 7:28PM
This man was completely wrong.
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By: Jennifer Yajure on 9/08/2009 8:16PM
Personally no one has the right to try to discipline no ones child, it is the parent or guardian responsability to do that kind of discipline. To begin why do people think that if something bothers them then they can take matters in there own hands. I believe that was an act of disrespect on that mans behave. If the childs cry was bothering him to much then he should of removed himself from the area. plus! it was a 2 year old. kids cry for everything that is by nsture. It is sickining that people would condone such behavior from a stranger. Now if a parents discipline there child in public ever law on the book would fall on them.... Is another thing beating the living hell ot of a child , then disciplining them. To a perfect stranger come and and slap a 2 year old. Now that is abuse totally. I am not who to judge and God forgive me but i hope he gets what he rightfully deserve..
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By: cc on 10/02/2009 5:09PM
wait a minute? how did this fool even get close enough to the child to slap it? and 4 times? oh heck no, if that were my child that man would have been knocked out...no he wouldnt have even touched my child, this is foolishness
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