Just to clarify, the post title is mine, not the email author’s.

Loyal reader Teri S. emailed us to say she was “appalled” at some of the responses to my earlier story on the little “Slumdog” actor who was brutalized by his father for not moving fast enough.

It’s a sad reality that some in our community believe in behavior modification through violence because that’s what our parents did to us. So we continue the cycle. It’s a cultural thing.

Just today we hear in the news that a man was arrested and jailed for putting a shoe on his 8-year-old male relative to “punish” him. [LINK]

This is why there is so much black-on-black violence: we learn it at home.

Dear Sandra,

I’ve been a lurker on your website for quite some time. I enjoy the various issues and views you and your readers have. However, today’s responses to the story of Azharuddin Mohammed being slapped by his father was over-the-top. I am shocked and appalled at some of the responses by some of your readers who didn’t think there was anything wrong with what allegedly took place. Spanking a child is one thing – slapping, kicking, punching, etc. is totally UNACCEPTABLE.

    Many of your readers validated their pathetic justification of what happened by saying:

    “I remember I said something slick to my momma and she slap the dog ish out out of me so he will be ok…” mizzdallas (the article didn’t indicate that this child said anything out of pocket to his father, and if he did, slapping him in the face and kicking him is NOT right).

    “I don’t think its fair for America to impose their views on another Country. & I’m not one to judge another parent.” (What tha??? Child abuse here in the U.S. is the same everywhere. IT’S WRONG. Hello!)

    And here’s the doozy of the day:

    Ilovepink1981 Says:

    “I don’t see what the issue is, he got a beating, almost everyone does. Unless he was knocked un conscious, I don’t see the issue. He hung out with the spoiled rich kids too long.” (Oh, so beat the hell out of a child, but don’t knock him/her unconscious. WTF?)