Rahsheed and Rhonetta McKenstry

Rahsheed and Rhonetta McKenstry

Interview transcript

Rahsheed McKenstry, 10, interviews his mother Rhonetta McKenstry, 37.
11/15/07 16:00 Memphis, TN
TRT: 2:08

10-year-old Rahsheed McKenstry interviews his mother, Rhonetta.

RahsheedM: Hi. My name is Rahsheed McKenstry and my age is 10-years-old and my relationship with my interview partner is my mom.

RhonettaM: My name is Rhonetta McKenstry and I am being interviewed by my son.

RahsheedM: Ok. Mrs. Rhonetta McKenstry, what are some of the biggest lessons that you’ve learned during your childhood?

RhonettaM: I feel like I’m at a job interview. I had a very good mother, which is why I think I’m a very good mother. She used to fix me breakfast in the morning whenever she could. She gave me kisses, like I do you and your brother. And she yelled at me. It means she cares.

RahsheedM: (Laughs) Mmk so. Why are you not still married?

RhonettaM: Mmm. Because my ex-husband was horrible.

RahsheedM: Was he violent towards you?

RhonettaM: Yes.

RahsheedM: Was he violent towards anybody else?

RhonettaM: You and your brother, which is why I won’t let him see you. How does that effect you?

RahsheedM: It effects me because I’m inquisitive. I want to know everything and he’s my father and I should know more. It kind of makes me feel depressed and mad, not depressed but kind of mad that those things happened to my mother.

RhonettaM: What kind of man do you think you’re gonna be?

RahsheedM: A very great man. Better than my father, for sure.

RhonettaM: Ok.

RahsheedM: How do you feel about Chris and I?

RhonettaM: See now you’re trying to make me cry. You have to understand I’m proud of the two of you. Ya’ll have different personalities. Christopher’s is happy-go-lucky. But you — I’m just in awe of you sometimes. Ya’ll keep me going. Everything I do is really for the two of you.

RahsheedM: Why is your nose turning red?

RhonettaM: ‘Cause I’m about to cry. How many times have you ever seen me cry?

RahsheedM: Three times. This is my third.

RhonettaM: I love you, Rahsheed.

RahsheedM: (Laughs) I love you too, Ma. Thank you for answering all my questions.

Memphis, Tennessee, TN, Southerners, Griot, African Americans, African-Americans, Black Americans, children, youth, mothers, sons, parenting, parents, domestic violence, child abuse, motherhood, fathers, dads, wisdom, love, parent-child relationships, admiration, women’s issues, family, families, child rearing, role models, mentors, crying, laughter, bonds, bonding, men