The Mommy’s Curse

(I am in a conference with a parent of a seventh grade boy. He is very smart in math but has the bad habit of ‘going off’: loud cursing and using the N-word in reference to himself and classmates. Detention helped some, but I didn’t want to give him any more detentions because then he would get suspended. Note: the student is with the mom during the conference.)

Me: “[Student] is very smart; he is one of my best students and certainly the top math student in seventh grade. He really seems to enjoy the class and always participates. However, sometimes when he gets a bit upset at his classmates disrupting the class, he starts shouting and cursing, including using lots of racial slurs. He responds well to my direction to stop usually but I’m afraid it has become habitual. [Student] has such potential for his future and it is important for him to know this is not appropriate in a school or work environment. Will you work with him about this at home?”

Mom: “I’ll work with this little n**** right now!” *smacks her son on the back of the head* “DON’T YOU EVER use that godd*** language in this f****** school, you dumb motherf****er! S***, I didn’t take off work to hear about your black a** acting the fool! You told me you were doing good in math! Lying-a** n****!”

Me: “…”

Mom: “I’m so godd*** mad right now! This little n***** has worked my last nerve! I don’t know where he gets this from. Nobody in my f******* family even curses!”