There’s a first time for everything. The first time my son was called the N-word online, it happened while he was playing video games. He was hurt. H
There’s a first time for everything.
The first time my son was called the N-word online, it happened while he was playing video games. He was hurt. He was angry. But he was angrier another time when his best friend—whose complexion is darker—was the one on the receiving end of the slur. They were tag teaming or whatever you call it.
I don’t know if it was because it happened to his “brother” in spirit or because of the darker tone of his friend’s skin. I never asked. I just knew they were hot. I was too.
We talked it through.
Being a mom, I found myself blurting out, “Why can’t y’all just play against each other?” They both rolled their eyes and said, “Mommmm.” That was my cue to back off. What they needed most was space to be strong high school boys navigating a world that wasn’t always kind.
But I carried the weight of it with me too.
Because I know there’s too much racism online. Our children may not always talk to us about it, but it’s there. I don’t even know for certain if that was the first time. I just know that’s the first time they told me about.
And the platforms know it’s there too.
This isn’t just about video games or Pokémon cards or chat boxes. It’s about the constant reminder our children face that the world can be cruel, dismissive, and racist even in spaces that are supposed to be about fun.
We can feel so powerless. But our role is powerful. As parents, our role is to give them room to process, but also to stand beside them, to affirm that their feelings are real, and to remind them that their worth is never diminished by someone else’s slur.
Racism may try to sneak into their joy, but it can’t take away their brilliance, their bond, or their right to play freely.
Now certainly you heard of Tamo, the TikTok star who was having none of the racism that day.
Meet Tamo: TikTok Star Turning Hate into Accountability
Tamo—sometimes stylized as @norratamo—has become a powerful figure on TikTok, known not just for entertainment, but for how he handles racism head-on and makes it clear there are real-world consequences.
The Moment That Sparked a Movement
While livestreaming about Pokémon cards and video games, Tamo was interrupted by a viewer spewing the N-word repeatedly. What followed wasn’t just a clapback—it was accountability in action. With calm precision, Tamo revealed that he had identified the harasser, dug into his personal and professional history, and prepared evidence to file a report with Navy officials, the inspector general, and even the assailant’s church. His declaration?
“Guess what? You’re gonna get kicked out of the United States Navy… Hi, my name is real-life consequence.” Atlanta Black Star
In a matter of hours, the video garnered over 11 million views and 3 million likes. Viewers praised the “masterclass in accountability,” reflecting that Tamo wasn’t just fighting online—he was wielding power offline too. Atlanta Black Star
Why This Matters
From harassment to accountability: Tamo didn’t respond with hate—he responded with justice.
Real-world impact: The video shows how online racism isn’t just words—it can create real career consequences.
Empowering ripple effect: For so many, this wasn’t just a moment—it was an awakening. As one viewer wrote, it felt like “poetic justice.” Atlanta Black Star
In Summary
Tamo’s response is emblematic of the power of using one’s platform not just for laughs or trends, but for standing up to hate with strategy, courage, and unwavering conviction.
Shared by @MelanatedTalk on X.com