"Why do so many people find this video and the actions of Ms. Graham so appealing? Some might argue that the appeal of the video is that it shows the extent to which a loving mother will go to discipline her son. This may be partially true, but I think that many are drawn to the video because it shows “acceptable” Black-on-Black physical aggression...
This incident provides us an opportunity to discuss why severe punishment is more tolerable for Black children than other children. And it also begs a conversation about how and why Black parents discipline their children. In the instance of this video, I think it provides voyeurs the pleasure of seeing a Black boy beaten into complicity...
The third issue is about stereotypes of Black women and negative characterization of Black motherhood. In Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America, Melissa Harris-Perry describes the pervasive stereotype of Black women as being “shrill, loud, argumentative, irrationally angry, and verbally abusive.” She goes on to explain the power of stereotypes to shape public perceptions about Black women. Unfortunately, this video of Ms. Graham’s strengthens this perception that Black women are always angry and ready to behave violently."
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