Belt or Chancleta?

The use of objects like school straps (belts) or "chancletas" as weapons to demean and harm children, whether at school or home, can have long-lasting effects well into adulthood. The practice of administering "licks," as it's called in the Caribbean, is often mistaken as a cultural norm. However, accepting the "beating" of our children or allowing authority figures to strike them as punishment—especially in places that should be safe—is not a cultural practice in communities of color.

Unfortunately, many educational systems worldwide perpetuate violence against children of color through their disciplinary measures and academic structures

I recall a classroom experience that highlights this issue. One day, our teacher asked my classmates and me to form a line extending from the teacher's desk to the length of the schoolhouse to demonstrate our knowledge of spelling words. Those who didn’t know their words faced punishment—stern lashes on their behinds. Some classmates cried while others endured the pain and humiliation, wearing it as a badge of some misguided achievement.

When it was my turn, sure enough, I misspelled a word. Even to this day, I struggle with spelling multi-syllabic words out loud. I felt my heart race and tears well up in anticipation of the punishment. I was instructed to wrap my uniform dress tightly around my thighs and bend forward slightly. Wrapping my dress tightly around my legs was crucial for the teacher's strike to land with full force. The fabric of my uniform had to be pulled snugly to ensure that nothing—no folds or loose material—would cushion or deflect the harsh impact of each lash.

After receiving two lashes, I was sent back to my seat. Physical punishment—whether called corporal punishment, spanking, or pow-pow—has been strongly linked to harmful effects. Research consistently shows that childhood trauma can lead to mental health issues in adulthood. This form of discipline is not merely harsh but constitutes physical abuse. My own experiences with such punishment, which I’ll explore further in another blog, instilled a deep fear of facing consequences for academic mistakes or not knowing "the answer." This fear undermined my confidence and participation in class for years to come. Studies show that a child’s brain function can be compromised by abuse, and being struck with a belt did not help me remember how to spell my spelling words or enhance my vocabulary acquisition.

This is not just a Caribbean phenomenon!

In some states in America, children are still paddled in schools as a disciplinary measure. Such systemic abuse is often perpetuated in households with children of African descent, influenced by generational trauma.

This form of punishment is not ours to own. Dr. Stacey Patton (2017) argues that “Black parents hit to keep their kids from ‘turning bad’—this does not work because Black children disproportionately suffer negative outcomes in educational achievement, juvenile arrests, and foster care placements.” Patton also asserts that “[Black people] adopted the practice of beating children from white slave masters. Europeans brutalized their children for thousands of years before crossing the Atlantic to the New World and colonizing Africa. ‘Whupping’ children is NOT a cultural practice that Africans brought with them to America or the Caribbean.”

Fortunately, I was spanked only a few times as a child. However, witnessing other children being beaten and hearing their cries contributed significantly to my childhood trauma.

We must end generational trauma and firmly reject the idea that physically abusing our children is a part of our culture

Our love and care for our children is revolutionary, particularly in light of the often overlooked abuse they may face outside our supervision. By connecting with empathy, striving to understand their experiences, and communicating effectively, we can foster a generation of joyful and resilient adults.

Are you here for it?

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Do you have any questions or would like to join the conversation? Reach out anytime! And while you're here, don’t miss out on Antiguan in America: A Racial Autobiography. Dive deeper into the journey of building your racial awareness and disrupting systemic inequities—Purchase your copy now. See you in the next post!

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Stacey Patton PhD, (2017, April). Corporal punishment in black communities: Not an intrinsic cultural tradition but racial trauma: Insights into the historical roots of African parenting. Retrieved August 2020, from American Psychological Association. Click here to read the article