A viral video of a mother disciplining her teenage daughter is being met with mixed reactions online.
In the video, first streamed during a Facebook live session, Georgia resident Shanavia Miller is seen beating and screaming at her 16-year-old daughter Nia Green while accusing her of having sex with her boyfriend in their home. During the five minute long clip, Miller makes it clear that her intent is to embarrass the teen.
“I’m this way,” she tells the person filming while she hits Green with an unidentified object. “You wanna embarrass me on TV? You wanna embarrass me on f—-n’ social media?” Miller slapped her daughter in the face and punched her on her body. “You wanna be a lil THOT, huh? You think that sh-t cute, huh? Being a THOT?”
Green can be heard in the background expressing denial before her mother starts in again. “You’re only sixteen and you want to be a THOT. Get your grades up in school before you think about opening up your legs and trying to stunt on f—ing Facebook. Keep your f—–g room clean.”
After turning the camera on herself briefly, Miller goes back to attacking Green, suggesting that the girl’s actions reflect badly on her as a parent. “You got me looking bad out here like I ain’t no good m—-f—-n parent. I do my best! And look how you out here looking like I don’t give a f–k.” Here, she directly addresses viewers. “Now, I’mma need y’all to send this viral, please,” she says. “Share this.”
Public reaction to the video has been mixed. Some feel Miller went too far, while others said they understand her outrage and sympathize with her intentions. Other people simply disagree with Miller’s decision to broadcast the confrontation on social media.
Miller took to Facebook again after the video went viral and responded to the backlash. “I love my daughter with all my heart,” she said in a message posted on what is believed to be Green’s Facebook page. “Whatever happens after this, oh well, my daughter is not going to disrespect me or herself for nobody…lesson learned.”
You can watch the full video at your discretion here.
WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.