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‘A certain race… involve their children in almost everything’- Angelle A. Cameron

-Former Mrs BVI urges parents to let children listen & interject in adult conversations
Outspoken radio host and former Mrs BVI, Angelle A. Cameron has lambasted African parenting styles for marginalizing their children, while other cultures practice more inclusive parenting where children are allowed to interject in adult conversations. Photo: VINO/File
Mrs Angelle A. Cameron's contention is that children should be allowed to listen in and engage in adult conversations as part of the learning and growing process. Photo: Internet Source
Mrs Angelle A. Cameron's contention is that children should be allowed to listen in and engage in adult conversations as part of the learning and growing process. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI –Outspoken radio host and former Mrs BVI, Angelle A. Cameron has lambasted African parenting styles for marginalising their children, while other cultures practice more inclusive parenting where children are allowed to interject in adult conversations.

Mrs Cameron, who also highlighted the importance of failure for children, was at the time speaking on the Tuesday, February 4, 2020 edition of her radio show, ‘My BVI’ on Zking 100.9 FM.

Parenting for the future

“I hope this doesn’t come out the wrong way… there’s a certain race of people who, they involve their children in almost everything. If they are having adult conversations and the child interjects they are ok with that,” Cameron told the listening audience as part of her commentary on raising children in the 21st century.

The former beauty queen continued, “they want that child to know, it's ok for you to have questions, it's ok for me to answer those questions and it's ok for you to be involved in a level of discourse that is potentially beyond your age,” she said.

Mrs Cameron's contention is that children should be allowed to listen in and engage in adult conversations as part of the learning and growing process.

“Then there’s another race of people, who the minute your child opens their mouth… you say we’re not talking to you, this is grown folks business, you need to go sit down, learn a child’s place.”

She pointed to the contrast between parenting styles as a possible factor of why people of different races would end up disenfranchising each other based on how they were raised.

African Americans worst off

“Those of us who were raised in a more African American household or households that believe children have a certain role to play, there are certain things we miss out on or learn later in life, whereas, in other cultures, their kids embrace everything from a very early age,” she said.

The radio host noted that as a result of an inclusive parenting style, children would then be able to learn faster and understand the meaning of words all by being a part of adult conversation.

According to Cameron, the youth agenda is not only about being involved with children but to help them better understand the world around them, “I have three children and let me tell you I got it wrong the first time… so my daughter did not get all that she could have out of my mothering skills.”

Cameron noted, “I could only emulate what I know,” which she said included preventing children from being a part of adult conversations and interjecting, before realising that it is quite fine to allow children to be inquisitive.

45 Responses to “‘A certain race… involve their children in almost everything’- Angelle A. Cameron”

  • Strpzz (10/02/2020, 08:25) Like (63) Dislike (5) Reply

    She has no statistics or facts to prove her points. There is a time and place for everything and children need to know their place in adult conversations and business. This is not a family dinner or a game night. Discipline and respect comes in different forms and if you want your child to be in every sauce pan that is your perogative and not for the general public to condone and giving the wrong connotation towards parenting etc. May I ask what races or cultures is being used used as a benchmark or in comparison?

    • Hottie (10/02/2020, 10:47) Like (21) Dislike (12) Reply
      I think you have just made her point for her!
    • Extent (10/02/2020, 11:17) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
      It’s fair to consider what she says as reasonable but only to a certain extent. Sometimes a child may ask a simple question and find that they’re immediately shut down without given a proper reason as to why they shouldn’t have asked anything. Sometimes it’s just the parents being defensive or being too lazy to explain anything, or they themselves haven’t a clue of the answer. Of course discipline and respect is of upmost importance and priority. If a child is being bossy, rude or nosy then yes, they need to learn their place. But you shouldn’t stop a child from asking innocent questions, or stating a simple opinion that may in fact be very intelligent of them. They’re trying to learn, and giving them that opportunity can instigate critical thinking and wisdom in a young child.
    • YeSa (10/02/2020, 15:05) Like (1) Dislike (9) Reply
      @Strpz AMEN AND AMEN...
      Does she have children?
    • eady (10/02/2020, 20:32) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      What conversation...melee..money..politics..sex...if that's all you got to talk about then..no...the kids shouldn't get involve...yet they hear this crop out them patents..so they learn that foolishness early.All the parents down here is to dress them kids like dolly....and poison them against anyone they feel ain't from here...I so glad UK got them ppl by the short and curly.. them to damn nuff.
  • rewrsdffds (10/02/2020, 08:39) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think it is more of a cultural thing than a racial thing. While living in the united states, in predominantly black schools, I observed that children was encouraged to speak and share their view.
  • African Americans (10/02/2020, 08:40) Like (23) Dislike (4) Reply
    You know that there is a difference between Africans and African Americans right?
  • yeah.... (10/02/2020, 08:47) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    So, that some people treat their children differently than others is true.

    However, don't generalize in this way. There are much more similarities between people than that you are aware off. The color of your skin does not define your behaviour.
  • Sun Sun (10/02/2020, 08:49) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Virgin Islanders are not Africans, we are decedents of people from West Africa. I am not aware of the residents of the
    Virgin Islands being raised in a more African American Household.
    • @Sun Sun (10/02/2020, 13:06) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      The VI are in the Americas. No? Or they just off from the North Central South Americas and no part of the Americas?
      • Sun Sun (10/02/2020, 14:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        The VI can considered as being within the Americas, how does that equate Virgin Islanders being raised in a more African American household? This young lady may have some valid points, however her presentation needs to be fully thought out before they are presented.
    • hut (10/02/2020, 20:36) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Yes they would given a chance...they love foreign so.
    • Outsider (12/02/2020, 21:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Quite a lot of other blood got mixed in too, I’d say.
  • Community leaders need to be better (10/02/2020, 09:18) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    racism
    [ˈrāˌsizəm]

    NOUN
    prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.
    "a program to combat racism"
    synonyms:
    racial discrimination · racialism · racial prejudice/bigotry · xenophobia · chauvinism · bigotry · bias · intolerance · anti-Semitism · apartheid
    the belief that different races possess distinct characteristics, abilities, or qualities, especially so as to distinguish them as inferior or superior to one another.
    "theories of racism"
  • Thumbs Up (10/02/2020, 09:20) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply

    great point, speaks to multi-generational "curses" that race like to claim, if you raise a man to be a duck, he gets what the duck gets......so does he ducklings an so on and so on....you get the Point.

  • Ghost (10/02/2020, 09:32) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mrs. Cameron I hear you and I agree with you to a certain extent.. as a parent I believe that if I am having a conversation with another adult and my child is desirous of asking a question because They’ve overheard the conversation, yes that question should be answered in a way that that child gains understanding.. however not all “adult” conversations children need to be privy to.. I also believe for example when it comes to our children learning about sexuality as a whole a lot of us “stick our heads in the sand” and not disclose which could be dangerous in today’s day and age for the internet (the devil’s campground) will teach them.. I believe that as parents we should have open dialogue with our children as they grow on topics that are age relevant.. and if a child in trying to ask that parent a question while that parent is in conversation with another adult, that child should ask permission to ask hi/her question..yes some of us were raised not being knowledgeable about many things and we do deprive our children following these same steps but like I said age appropriate learning in all things .
  • Oldest trick in the book (10/02/2020, 09:40) Like (22) Dislike (4) Reply
    She is following the model of saying something that she knows is false yet intentionally controversial in order to boost her listening audience. What she is saying is such a huge generalization, it's laughable. You are new to this talk-show thing but try to focus on substantive subjects based on facts and not conjecture.
  • Ms.Again (10/02/2020, 09:58) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ms Cameron. You fraid say your white American families that are better than the African Americans, you've always been on your high horses an act boujee. A child needs to be in their place an know to speak when spoken too other than if they ask a question. No child needs to be in adults convo to go back school an repeat what they heard. And if you really want to check statistics the African Americans dont grow up to chat back control parents or carry weapons school to cause mass destruction. Let the youths be youths an have fun like you grew up. PS you switched major
  • hi (10/02/2020, 10:07) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ms cameron i love you but please stop. How do the chinese then produce such intelligent and well disciplined children? They dear not challenge their parents or are even allowed to par take in adult conversation without severe consequence. There are other much more solid reasons why "Tyrone & Sha'Naynay" are behind developmentally when compared to the Timmys, Li Pings and Rohits of the real world.
  • Ghost (10/02/2020, 10:20) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    @mrs. Cameron .. “ Mrs Cameron's contention is that children should be allowed to listen in and engage in adult conversations as part of the learning and growing process. “Then there’s another race of people, who the minute your child opens their mouth… you say we’re not talking to you, this is grown folks business, you need to go sit down, learn a child’s place.” She pointed to the contrast between parenting styles as a possible factor of why people of different races would end up disenfranchising each other based on how they were raised.
    I take issue with all this!.. Like I said I agree with some of what you’ve written to an extent however persons do have a right to their own style of parenting; may not be as we’d do it , but that’s their right unless the way they’re raising their child/children is deemed abusive or is not in the best interest of the child.. I do believe your assessment is based on subjective data rather than objective data as in a study..it is not right to speak of one race over the other without objective data to back up your claims..my advice to you is - do your research on topics thoroughly; have objective data to substantiate your claims before putting your own personal thoughts out there to the public as “facts” ..

    • True (12/02/2020, 08:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I practice filling my head before opening my mouth
      She should too or maybe her head is filled with propaganda and that’s why she speaks in parables and not FACTS... digg deep y’all already kno where I’m comin from some jus don’t want to know this but CHOOSE to JUS BELIEVE
  • wow (10/02/2020, 10:38) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply


    A child must be a child. This inclusiveness , while you may proffer good arguments for it, does more damage to the child.

    Are you oblivious to the fact some adult conversation adults are not constructive…

    The problem is we want to modernize everything including raising children ; we put weaves in their hair instead of plaits/braid. We put on make up on our little girls.

    Now you want us to emulate this certain “race” and your best argument is that the children will “learn faster and understand the meaning of …..

    Not because a particular race is doing something does not make it right.


    The mess you creating now, who is going to live in it and clean it up in the future???
  • respect (10/02/2020, 10:38) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    I’m 68 years old. Brought up where “children should be seen but not heard” “ don’t speak unless spoken to”. It’s a matter of respect to one’s elders. You won’t find that anymore
    • . (10/02/2020, 11:25) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      There are adult conversations that children should not participate in, that’s an obvious fact. But sometimes children are told to shut up or simple things, like questioning a verse in the Bible, and before a parent tries to explain to their child why it is as it is, they are immediately shut down as if the child is trying to defy them. Sometimes children only want to learn, and giving them an explanation and allowing them to participate in meaningful and age appropriate discussions can build character and wisdom in a young child.
  • The TRUTH (10/02/2020, 10:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree somewhat that the old adage that children should be seen and not heard is harmful in the long term to kid's development. However, parents should be careful as there are adult conversations children should not be exposed to.
  • in response (10/02/2020, 10:53) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Having grown up American, Caucasian, middle class in the States, I can say there was no particular experience in our house of being included in “adult conversation”. There were “overheard” conversations that left us kids with questions and feeling in the dark about problems in our parents marriage.
    I also always wished I’d grown up in one of those households where the parents encouraged conversations at the dinner table, with questions and “adult” content about current events, concerns, and current reading, etc...it seemed to me that kids raised in those kinds of households were more confident and intelligent and curious.
  • True (10/02/2020, 11:14) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    she is so far off the mark its a joke! it has nothing to do with race has has to do with money people of different class, lower, middle upper treat their children different nothing to do with the colour of your skin.
    • @True (10/02/2020, 12:08) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      I think there are elements of both culture and class involved. I also think that if Ms. Cameron's comments have come from observations made here in the BVI we have to remember that expats don't often have family here or even close by, so they involve their children in as much of their lives as they can because they only have a small family unit here and sometimes none of their close friends here have children so they are raised in a predominantly adult environment. I think it important for us all to realize that there is a time and a place for adult conversations, and many of them should not be happening anywhere near the children - let alone close enough for them to have questions. If a child has a question about something they have overheard it can also be very important not to shut the child down, but explain that it was for adults and perhaps would be explained to them when they are older. This still makes them feel important and listened to which will help to build trust and connections.
  • Well (10/02/2020, 11:27) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Speak when you are spoken to! Answer when you are called!
  • cgb (10/02/2020, 12:21) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why do people ever bother opening their mouths to say certain things, VINO records all those shows. If nobody is listening, VINO for sure is.
  • I agree with her (10/02/2020, 16:11) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree that it might be more cultural than racial but when I watch the news those American children can express themselves so well. Here, we send grown children to CARIFTA and they can barely express themselves to answer the simplest of questions, besides saying “yeeeaashhhh, I felt good, or I was happy”. That’s it? Why? Because we are always shut down as children. Never given the opportunity to express ourselves or to simply ask “why”. But as usual, all kinda silly talk on here about a child knowing their place etc.
  • lord o. (10/02/2020, 16:24) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    That certain Race have the rudest set of children... U don't hear much about them because they don't mingle with us. ... U would be surprised to know the European parents are telling the children how well behave and contentment always happy and smiling those poor black children are. Yet we who have a lot always frowning unhappy and complaining.... So.
  • Hmmmm.... (10/02/2020, 16:37) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    She left out one key component - children who are encouraged to read and are read to, have a far more developed mind. A lot of children are not given that opportunity as the parents do not provide the means, nor encourage their children to read.
  • Hmmmm.... (10/02/2020, 16:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    She left out one key component - children who are encouraged to read and are read to, have a far more developed mind. A lot of children are not given that opportunity as the parents do not provide the means, nor encourage their children to read.
  • The watchman (10/02/2020, 19:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Apparently Ms Cameron has no experience with children and also the Bible Corinthians 13:11.
  • GG (11/02/2020, 00:17) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Poor Lady . She has no clue about what she is saying . What she should have said - Parents should involve their children in constructive adult conversation that enhance their growth in expression and knowledge . Not social adult conversation that Has nothing to do with the General well being of the child’s training and growth . There are boundaries in every thing . A child should not be allowed in any free for all adult conversation . That is why some of the generation has no respect for their elders . Lack of boundaries . Miss Lady go sit down and learn how to raise children
  • fake (11/02/2020, 12:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a thing eh another Beauty and Brain casualty.
  • Good Point (11/02/2020, 15:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We try to encourage our children to join us in interesting discussions and value their opinions and the way they formulate their arguments. Personally I feel this is important. They develop their skills and actually have lots of interesting things to say.
    It’s a matter of traditions of parenting in different cultures and I’d definitely recommend anyone who feels it’s their job to keep their child quiet, to try listening to them and questioning them more instead.
  • it sad (12/02/2020, 08:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How they seem to know so little about what they think they know but know everything about what they really don’t know
    That’s cause all they do is believe what they are told about and don’t study to show themselves approved seeking knowledge and truth before vengeance and destruction

    Before David
  • Outsider (12/02/2020, 21:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Being an outsider, I agree with Ms. Cameron. So many kids here are seriously inarticulate. They are not dumb. It’s a result of how they were reared. They probably were not included in conversations. They probably were not encouraged to read. I can’t speak to whether or not they were encouraged to involve themselves in organized extra-curricular activities. Compared with kids from my country, I doubt it.

    Naturally, the above are generalisms and obviously can’t apply to all kids or all families.


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