Abe Goodman
[poll id=”2″]
Please vote in the poll and see the results.
When I voted in the poll up above and then saw the results, I must admit I threw up a little in my mouth.
I expected to see some people like Charles Barkley thinking fondly of their grandmothers beating them with tree branches and leather belts, after all this is the age of Fifty Shades of Grey, but I did not think these sadistic BDSM aficionados would be in the majority.
Before I get deep into this, first a little disclaimer and backstory. Children need discipline, they need to know right from wrong. If a child refuses to do their chores, you punish them by taking away a toy or treat. If a child breaks away from your hold and runs out toward traffic or a parking lot, you give them a swift rap on the backside and a firm no, much like you would do a wife who was perhaps too lippy over some minute argument.
That’s all fine and good, all integral elements of a functioning, loving home.
But there comes a time when the rod has been extended too far, a time that reasonable discipline has gone just too far. This is the case of Adrian Peterson.
From commentary extending in social media and other various news sites, it’s become quite clear that many people have suffered similar ‘whuppins’ as doled out by Peterson to his child. While some reflect on those memories with an angered eye, others are saying that it’s that type of bodily punishment that made them the ‘great people they are today’ and they suggest that yes, oh yes, that is why this generation is lacking in morals, discipline and respect.
I tend to disagree.
I think this generation of youngsters is exposed to a lot more things than we were when growing up. They all have at least 2 or 3 devices that can connect to any part of the world in less than a second. Youngsters today see the media mock the Ferguson ‘riots’ and can anonymously take part in taunting black people involved. They can see stars like Justin Bieber speed through Florida at criminally dangerous speeds, jump on top of police cars and not show up to court dates, and not even be tased or shot. Because in this generation, rebellious attitudes by the ‘right people’ is something that is to be admired.
Our media stinks, celebrity culture is privileged and juvenile and our kids grow up with that us their learning tool on socialization. Parents have become lazy, too lazy to even dole out proper punishments. I hear kids cuss their parents out in stores, I see parents letting their teenage daughters roam the streets in Hustler style clothing, cell phones and electronic cigarellos. I see that there is no God or prayer in schools. I see these things and see the reasons why society is failing.
Now to be serious, Adrian Peterson is claiming that the most sure way to ensure his kid does not end up a felon who will get shot by police while society says, “He deserves it for being a typical black”, is to start beating him since day one. After all, Adrian Peterson said that is probably what kept him from being a street thug and gave him the discipline to be one of the NFL’s best running backs.
But all that won’t matter in a few weeks, because corporate sponsors (Raddison Hotels and Anhauser Busch of latest) are threatening to bail on his respective NFL franchise. Meaning, he will become outcast from the NFL.
The way I look at this case is like this: if Adrian Peterson were a white man who adopted a black child, and dealt out the same beating that resulted in these pictures, what would society do?
I can guarantee you that Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Eric Holder and Barack Obama would be angrily stamping and marching about, demanding justice for the child. So why is it any different now? This is a clear case of excessive force on a four-year old child, and shame on the majority of you people out there for disagreeing with me.
