I was appalled, as I’m sure most readers were, at the story about the young lady being called the N-word by a customer at Kohl’s. We want “others” to be policed, but do we as African Americans police our own children when they use that exact same word? Do you we have this same kind of reaction when our children are confronted with this word (and words much worse) in music, on television and out of our own mouths?
I am in no way suggesting that Ms. Clay is this kind of parent, but many parents don’t shield their kids from this language. I do think that Kohl’s could have done more than it did, but the bigger issue here is parenting. What are we teaching our children at home?
Which brings me to my last question: What lesson was learned by Ms. Clay’s two children when, after seeing their mother being insulted to the highest degree, they saw her spend more than $100 in the very place she was verbally assaulted? I guess we all can be bought – even for a 25 percent discount.
Angela Tate
Via email