E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSWhat's been your toughest parenting moment? TODAY anchor Al Roker talks about one of his, as a dad -- explaining the "n-word" to his daughter when she was in second grade.
"Trying to explain to her why somebody would use that word, and what it means -- I mean, it was a good conversation, it just was one that you didn't necessarily think you were going to have that early," Al says.
Has your child faced discrimination, or been called names? How did you handle it?
"Like" TODAY Moms on Facebook, and follow us @TodayMoms
Leave a Comment:
I'm sure that without a doubt my worst parenting moment was on the eveningof June 14th 1992. My 6yr. old son was standing in front of the TV as the news report aired telling about how four of my family members were killed in an automobile accident, (Including our 17 yr. old daughter, my nephew, and both of my parents.) I had to sit and answer his questions as he asked me: "Daddy, is Heather dead?" Believe me when I say that there is absolutely nothing that prepares any parent for that news or that task. People who have not experienced a loss like this need to be thankful every day. It is a "Life Changing Event"
Oh my god, that is truly a waking nightmare. I am so, so sorry for your family's loss. How are you doing? How is your son?
Yes, mine is very similar. Luckily my 7 & 8 yr old sons did not see the news (although it was on tv) of their father's accident. They were in school and I was at work. The police came to my office. I had to break the news of my husband's death to his parents and then pick my children up from school (who were initially happy to get out of school early) only to find out the life changing reality that they no longer had a father.
This afternoon my son jumps into our car and we exchange our greetings during which he asks “hey mom, what does “n*&^%#” mean? This was a moment I knew would come and still, it ambushed me. An array of emotions ripped through my body like fire.
He heard this word in a “song” being played by another student who was simply enjoying their choice of “music”.
I explained to my children that this word is used universally by some white people in effort to strip away any sense of self worth in black people. The awful irony of this word is that today some black people use it in lyrics and as a term of “endearment”. However, if white people even whisper this word in the same tone of “affection”, they better run for the hills. Hypocrisy on steroids.
I further shared that my personal struggle with this word stems from my middle school experience, being called by the “n” word a quarter as much as by my given name at birth.
As an adult, I’ve had numerous opportunities to further educate my so-called academically accomplished white peers who, after they have casually dropped the “N” bomb, ”oh, Della, it’s just a word.” Yeah, but its not “just a word” to me.
I often wonder if this word will carry the same impact with my children’s generation and thereafter?
This is one of those things that cannot be fully explained, made sense of or ascertained by some even though it deeply affects many and a bomb is still a bomb.