"Ma Cherie"

"I AM SORRY YOU'RE SO DAMN MISERABLE! I AM SORRY YOUR LIFE IS SO DAMN HARD! I AM OH SO SORRY THAT YOU HAVEN'T HAD WHAT YOU AND THOSE IDIOTS YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THINK IS THE TRUE BLACK EXPERIENCE JUST BECAUSE YOUR FAMILY ISN'T POOR!

How dare you let them call you DJ when your name has been passed down for generations to the first grandchild born. HOW DARE YOU! How dare you walk in here and turn your nose up to all things that comprise our family's values. You think you're not REAL because your family isn't suffering? You don't know suffering.

You listen to me you little ungrateful wench. You are a Toussaint and we Toussaints have been proud of our heritage and our accomplishments since time began. You turn your back on your responsibilities and you turn your back on all that you are and I'll be DAMNED if you bring shame upon this family just so you can continue to claim some hood status that you could NEVER claim!"

"Mom...why do you have to make a big deal out of everything? This is not a responsibility! I just don't want to do this stupid Charity Ball thing!"

"You are doing it and that's final. If you want to give away your inheritance to help the poor and needy to absolve yourself of your privaledged guilt then that's exactly what should do when you've turned 25 and have access to it. For now...you will do as your father and I say. If you do NOT show up for your lessons accordingly then we will assume that means you are ashamed of your family and will take it upon ourselves to let your grandparents know immediately. Your trip will be cancelled and you will have to pay for every single thing you want or need including college." She pierced her daughter with her eyes and picked up her coffee mug, taking a sip. "Don't play with me young lady and don't think for a second that you're the only female in this family that has tried to revolt. When I tried it, your grandmother sent me to Lake Charles for the summer and when your Aunt Trudi tried it she was sent to work in a drycleaners everyday after school for a month."

And she walked out of the kitchen leaving her daughter speechless behind her.

- See more at: http://creoleindc.typepad.com/rantings_of_a_creole_prin/author_monica_mingo/page/2/#sthash.1NtxonDa.dpuf