Rahsheed McKenstry, 10, interviews his mother, Rhonetta, asking questions about her childhood, his father, and what type man she believes he will one day become.
Originally aired April 25, 2008, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Transcript
Rahsheed McKenstry (RaM) and Rhonetta McKenstry (RhM)
RaM: Hi. My name is Rahsheed McKenstry and my age is 10-years-old and my relationship with my interview partner is my mom.
RhM: My name is Rhonetta McKenstry and I am being interviewed by my son.
RaM: Ok. Mrs. Rhonetta McKenstry, what are some of the biggest lessons that you’ve learned during your childhood?
RhM: 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.
RaM: (Laughs) Mmk so. Why are you not still married?
RhM: Mmm. Because my ex-husband was horrible.
RaM: Was he violent towards you?
RhM: Yes.
RaM: Was he violent towards anybody else?
RhM: You and your brother, which is why I won’t let him see you. How does that effect you?
RaM: 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.
RhM: What kind of man do you think you’re gonna be?
RaM: A very great man. Better than my father, for sure.
RhM: Ok.
RaM: How do you feel about Chris and I?
RhM: 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.
RaM: Why is your nose turning red?
RhM: ’Cause I’m about to cry. How many times have you ever seen me cry?
RaM: Three times. This is my third.
RhM: I love you, Rahsheed.
RaM: (Laughs) I love you too, Ma. Thank you for answering all my questions.