Barbara describes a violent confrontation with her sister Valena over cornbread while she was pregnant, and says Valena has fabricated abuse stories. Barbara's wife Shante calls the family toxic, and Barbara traces the dysfunction to widespread substance abuse among relatives, though she quit drinking seven years ago.
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Your sister threatened to kill you?
Absolutely.
Okay, what happened?
I was pregnant at the time. I came home, I wanted my cornbread. Wasn't there. She was like, "I don't eat cornbread." It came to a big argument. Something was said along the lines of, "I'll kill you." And that's basically all I remember. When me and Valena fight, it's not—
It's never easy.
It's not tiny. When we fight, we fight to kill.
Okay, wow.
I think she hates me for even being alive.
So you think that Valena made stuff up about you about your childhood, right?
Things that she says, I did not experience at all.
Okay.
I never witnessed my mom doing the things that she says happened. She said something about extension cords and all that. That never happened.
Never happened for you?
No, and I never witnessed that happen.
Okay.
And that's just what it is. You didn't experience it 'cause Here we go, you're the youngest, you're the baby, blah, blah, blah. I was there. Me and Valena grew up like basically twins. We're best friends. So how you gonna tell me I wasn't there? When did this happen?
So how does your family feel about your wife, Shontay?
They think that she controls me.
Do you think Shontay is controlling?
Yes, I do think she's controlling, but I also know that she's changing and she's gonna at least try. She's not for the weak.
It's very interesting language. She's not for the weak.
She is not.
Barbara's wife Shante is in the audience. Shante, you here? Hey, how you doing? Come on, stand up for me. So Shante, describe your relationship with your wife's family.
We don't have a relationship.
And why not?
They're just too toxic.
So what do you think is the root issue with this family?
The drinking, them on pills. So if they stop all that, I feel like they could finally see each other and grow.
Do you feel like your sister and your mother drink and do pills as your wife said?
We all have.
You all have?
Me as well, I'm not gonna lie.
Yeah.
I stopped 'cause I was ready to stop.
Okay.
How long have you stopped? Do I drink wine?
Yes. Congratulations, by the way.
Thank you.
Yeah. Yeah. How long have you stopped for?
About 7 years.
So Shante, do you feel like they're trying to drag her back into this life?
