StoryCorps: Rahsheed and Rhonetta McKenstry

From: StoryCorps
Series: StoryCorps
Length: 02:08

10-year-old Rahsheed McKenstry (Rah - SHEED Mick-KEN-stree) interviews his mother, Rhonetta (Ron - ETTA). Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: StoryCorps: Rahsheed and Rhonetta McKenstry
From: StoryCorps

Mckenstry_small When Rahsheed McKenstry (Rah - SHEED Mick-KEN-stree), 10, and his mother Rhonetta (Ron - ETTA) McKenstry entered the StoryCorps booth in Memphis, Tenn., he quickly found his own interview style...a style that uncovered hard truths. "So why are you not still married?" Rahsheed asked. "Because my ex-husband was horrible," she said. "Was he violent toward you?" "Yes." "Was he violent toward anybody else?" "You and your brother, which is why I won't let him see you." "How does that affect you?" she asked. "It affects me because I'm inquisitive. I want to know everything and he's my father and I should know more. It kind of makes me feel depressed and mad. Not depressed, but kind of mad that those things happened to my mother," he said. "What kind of man do you think you're going to be?" she asked. "A very great man - better than my father, for sure." He asked, "How do you feel about [my brother] Chris and I?" "See, now you're trying to make me cry," she said. "You have to understand I'm proud of the two of you. Y'all have different personalities. Chris is happy-go-lucky, but you...I'm just in awe of you sometimes. Y'all keep me going. Everything I do is really for the two of you." Rhonetta McKenstry will be entering law school this fall. She plans to specialize in family law to help women who have suffered from domestic violence.

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Piece Description

When Rahsheed McKenstry (Rah - SHEED Mick-KEN-stree), 10, and his mother Rhonetta (Ron - ETTA) McKenstry entered the StoryCorps booth in Memphis, Tenn., he quickly found his own interview style...a style that uncovered hard truths. "So why are you not still married?" Rahsheed asked. "Because my ex-husband was horrible," she said. "Was he violent toward you?" "Yes." "Was he violent toward anybody else?" "You and your brother, which is why I won't let him see you." "How does that affect you?" she asked. "It affects me because I'm inquisitive. I want to know everything and he's my father and I should know more. It kind of makes me feel depressed and mad. Not depressed, but kind of mad that those things happened to my mother," he said. "What kind of man do you think you're going to be?" she asked. "A very great man - better than my father, for sure." He asked, "How do you feel about [my brother] Chris and I?" "See, now you're trying to make me cry," she said. "You have to understand I'm proud of the two of you. Y'all have different personalities. Chris is happy-go-lucky, but you...I'm just in awe of you sometimes. Y'all keep me going. Everything I do is really for the two of you." Rhonetta McKenstry will be entering law school this fall. She plans to specialize in family law to help women who have suffered from domestic violence.

Broadcast History

NPR's Morning Edition April 25, 2008

Transcript

RahsheedM: Hi. My name is Rahsheed McKenstry and my age is 10-years-old and my relationship with my interview partner is my mom.

RhonettaM: My name is Rhonetta McKenstry and I am being interviewed by my son.

RahsheedM: Ok. Mrs. Rhonetta McKenstry, what are some of the biggest lessons that you've learned during your childhood?

RhonettaM: I feel like I'm at a job interview. I had a very good mother, which is why I think I'm a very good mother. She used to fix me breakfast in the morning whenever she could. She gave me kisses, like I do you and your brother. And she yelled at me. It means she cares.

RahsheedM: (Laughs) Mmk so. Why are you not still married?

RhonettaM: Mmm. Because my ex-husband was horrible.

RahsheedM: Was he violent towards you?

RhonettaM: Yes.

RahsheedM: Was he violent towards anybody else?

RhonettaM: You and your brother, which is why I won't let him see you. Ho...
Read the full transcript

Intro and Outro

INTRO:

Thousands of Americans have recorded interviews as part of StoryCorps...This project gives family and friends the chance to ask one another about their lives.

And each Friday, we listen in on moments from some of these conversations.

[TAPE INTRO "Hi, my name is...by my son." [Duration:0'13"]

The McKenstry's (mick - KEN - streez) came to StoryCorps in Memphis, Tennessee.

And Rahsheed (Rah - SHEED) quickly found his own interview style...

[TAPE "OK, Ms. McKenstry...all my questions" [Duration:1'55"]

OUTRO:

10-year-old Rahsheed McKenstry (Rah - SHEED Mick-KEN-stree) with his Mom, Rhonetta (Ron - ETTA) in Memphis, Tennessee.

Rhonetta (McKenstry) will be entering Law School this fall... she plans to specialize in family law...and help women who have suffered from domestic violence.

This interview will be archived along with ALL StoryCorps interviews at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.