On one occasion an elderly neighbor accused four other youths and me of tripping him in a game called rope a dope, but I had no involvement, because I knew better. The neighbor told my father that I was a part of it, when in fact I just happened to walk by and when my father sent for me I emphatically said I was not involved and that the man made a mistake by saying I was. My father punished me saying, “You don’t call grown folks liars.” Daddy died relatively young, but I LOVED, FEARED AND RESPECTED him to the extent that I can die happy if my daughters respect me HALF AS MUCH AS I did my father.
Are the following tragedies—some of the results of no corporal punishment?
I was an adult before I ever saw a child call their mothers and fathers bit—-s, wh—s and even mother ———s. I was an adult before I ever witnessed sons, daughters, grandchildren physically assault their parents or grandparents. The first incident I witnessed I almost went into a state of shock. I reflected on the days of corporal punishment where you dared not respond to an adult by saying WHAT.
In today’s society there exists a more serious form of corporal punishment than a physical kind. Parents are being denied the opportunities to gainful employment, which would stabilize the home and prevent a tremendous numbers of problems that have devastated our communities. There is also the stifling of growth of Black entrepreneurship throughout Allegheny County. Black voters have become turned off by politics and if they vote at all it is not a sophisticated vote, but a give away vote, which will not benefit them or theirs.
Please remember Kingsley Association needs your financial support.
(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a weekly contributor to the Forum page.)
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