ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

"Still I am learning." - Michelangelo

Reactions to Jamie Foxx Message

Yesterday's ExchangeEveryDay ("Jamie Foxx Promotes Whipping") really touched a nerve.  We received more responses to this than to nearly any other.  I have included a small sampling of those that we received. We are posting the balance on the Idea Exchange section of our web site.  We invite you to go there and read the other very interesting responses and to share your own perspective. To participate, go to http://mail.ccie.com/go/eed/0562

Disclaimer: The views expressed in yesterday's ExchangeEveryDay (either by Jamie Foxx or Barbara Rogers) are not the views of Exchange. We try every day to offer you interesting, provocative and useful items that we gather from all people and all places. We want to promote an "exchange" of ideas, not to promote our own point of view.

As an African American woman and one who was similarly both loved and disciplined by a grandmother who was much like Jamie Foxx's, please do not use your cultural lens and frame of reference to distort his memories or his message. WE know, even if you don't, that our grandmother's NEVER, EVER, tried to hurt us or abuse us. The word whipping is akin to spanking and even if that's not your approach please do not dare try to take away from his glory by making this a cause or an issue for him.

Get real!  Jamie Foxx described a grandmother who showered him with love and attention.  Many of us come from cultures where a child got an occasional spanking.  Let's not confuse this with abuse and violence.  Can we do better?  Sure.  But thank God for those parents who love(d) their kids enough to set firm limits.

It's too bad that people just don't understand cultures.  What Jamie Foxx shared during the Oscar was from his heart and it was a part of his cultural upbringing.  Why should he be criticized for expressing who he is/was (culturally)?  I really don't think that his speech is against children.  There are so many children who are getting spanked for bad behaviors.  White people use the term spank and we use the word whipping - okay - there is no difference.  If a certain culture chooses to discipline their children with spanking/whipping and you choose not to, does that mean that you are right? You really have to learn about cultural competency and being culturally sensitive.  The "When" of culture is so deep that it influences the "Why", "How", and "What" of culture.  

Jamie's family was more than likely raised in the South where they had to not speak up to White's who were in authority.  So to save her children/grandchildren, she did what needed to be done so that the Whites wouldn't beat or kill them.  (Same today with the police.)  This could be an era that you or your family are not familiar with.  You have to know or at least be knowledgable of the history (WHEN) of culture for the African Americans/Blacks/Negro....  Nevertheless, I love Jamie's honesty and his relationship with his grandmother. I don't think what he said affected children who are being abused today.  His speech did not reflect an abusive situation, but a form of discipline - depending upon your culture.  I would love to debate this into further details. It's so sad that when an African American/Black brother arise, he has to deal with American politics which is only Institutionalized Racism.

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