Dear Editor,
I have unreservedly fallen in love with the "Baltimore mother" who slapped the living daylights out of her recalcitrant 16-year-old wannabe violent protester son on Monday, April 27, at the Mondawmin Mall, downtown Baltimore in the US.
My emotion climaxed as I took in the raw fury, high-pitched speech, laced with colour, but more so her open-handed slaps instinctively seeking to restrain, inflict pain, but not to incur lasting damage in her relentless desire to set him straight.
Despite his hooded disguise, she picked him out of the milling crowd.
Recognising that his Mom's presence meant "world war 3", the youth attempted to leave the scene. What followed was the raw beauty of unbridled emotion. It was emotional frenzy at its best, and I doubt that even the most talented director, combining skills with the greatest actress could have so dramatically choreographed and re-enacted that three-minute episode.
This unemployed, single mother of six, perhaps guided by fear, motivated by love, principle or a mix of all the elements of instinct and survival, made her move. She spewed out invectives including the reminder: "You weren't brought up like this!"
I wonder how many "Baltimore mothers" are among us here in Jamaica. This no-tolerant mother epitomises the parent we ought to celebrate this Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day, 'Baltimore moms'!
Allan Brooks
Kingston 10
Happy Mother's Day, 'Baltimore moms'!
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I have unreservedly fallen in love with the "Baltimore mother" who slapped the living daylights out of her recalcitrant 16-year-old wannabe violent protester son on Monday, April 27, at the Mondawmin Mall, downtown Baltimore in the US.
My emotion climaxed as I took in the raw fury, high-pitched speech, laced with colour, but more so her open-handed slaps instinctively seeking to restrain, inflict pain, but not to incur lasting damage in her relentless desire to set him straight.
Despite his hooded disguise, she picked him out of the milling crowd.
Recognising that his Mom's presence meant "world war 3", the youth attempted to leave the scene. What followed was the raw beauty of unbridled emotion. It was emotional frenzy at its best, and I doubt that even the most talented director, combining skills with the greatest actress could have so dramatically choreographed and re-enacted that three-minute episode.
This unemployed, single mother of six, perhaps guided by fear, motivated by love, principle or a mix of all the elements of instinct and survival, made her move. She spewed out invectives including the reminder: "You weren't brought up like this!"
I wonder how many "Baltimore mothers" are among us here in Jamaica. This no-tolerant mother epitomises the parent we ought to celebrate this Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day, 'Baltimore moms'!
Allan Brooks
Kingston 10
Happy Mother's Day, 'Baltimore moms'!
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