My Momma Told Me

Episode: Why Old Heads Avoided ADD Diagnosis (With Devon Walker)
Date: December 2, 2025
Hosts: Langston Kerman, David Gborie
Guest: Devon Walker

Episode Overview

This episode of My Momma Told Me dives into the longstanding skepticism among older Black generations (“Old Heads”) regarding learning disability diagnoses—specifically ADHD/ADD and autism—in Black children. Langston, David, and guest comedian Devon Walker break down the roots and repercussions of this attitude, using personal stories, cultural critiques, and the show’s signature mix of humor and unfiltered honesty.

Though the advertised topic (ADD diagnosis) is formally addressed about halfway in, the episode also meanders through hilarious and thought-provoking territory—celebrity culture, Michael Jackson biopics, homophobia in Black families, and the evolution of Black representation on TV.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celebrity Culture & the "Black Experience"

• The hosts kick off joking about the perception versus reality of celebrities in first class:
  • Langston: “Whenever you see celebrities sitting in first class, we ain’t pay for that shit.” (02:03)
  • David: “One of us had to get to the back. That’s all I remember.” (02:41)
• Discussion about representation of Black sex on TV—shows like Insecure and Soul Food as benchmarks for visibility.

2. Michael Jackson Biopic & Difficult Legacies

• Hilarious speculation about how the new Michael Jackson film might (or might not) handle the topic of sexual abuse allegations.
  • Langston: "They either address it poorly… or they are not going to mention it at all. And both of those choices are so funny." (06:14)
• Jokes about Black celebrity kids' wild names (“Your Majesty,” “Jafar Jackson,” etc.), and related banter about generational differences in naming.

3. Black Children, Learning Disabilities & Diagnosis Fears (Main Theme)

• Devon Walker's Conspiracy: Black parents, especially older generations, strongly discouraged official ADD/ADHD/autism diagnoses for fear their kids would be tracked, marginalized, or denied opportunities.
  • David: “My dad was really afraid that, like, if I got…medicated…they going to put you in the class over there. And then once you in the class over there, you not going to college.” (31:14)
  • Langston: Describes the physical separation in schools (“the portables,” “the fourth floor,” etc.)—where labeled kids were clustered together, reinforcing stigma and limiting opportunities. (32:19)
• The hosts reflect on how this created a massive catch-22:
  • Without diagnosis and help, kids struggled;
  • With diagnosis, they were marked for “the dumb class.”
  • Co-host: "They're like, you're stupid. It's stupid in here, bro." (33:13)

4. Generational Transmission of Fear & Coping Strategies

• The conversation delves into how Black parents’ attitudes are shaped by personal, sometimes traumatic experience:
  • David: “My dad was a kid in the 60s…I’m sure in the 60s, that is actually what was happening.” (31:14)
  • Co-host: “You never met kids who got banished to fucking…the portables, bro.” (32:09)
• Relationships with stepdads and the resilience of Black families also emerge humorously.
  • Langston: “There is no person on the planet I admire more for their willingness to experiment with their life…My mom’s instincts and bravery in that way are admirable…” (36:16)
  • The hosts acknowledge the cycle of inherited trauma and adaptation: “You got, now you got a Goku.” (38:16)

5. ADHD, Medication, and Systemic Distrust

• They discuss the evolution of attitudes towards medication—moving from underdiagnosis to “diagnosing a fuckton,” but only offering one “solution” (drugs) rather than a spectrum of supports.
  • Langston: “It’s not the drug is the solution. It’s, hey, the drug is an option and should you choose it, this is what could happen.” (58:02)
• Ongoing systemic issues—poverty, underfunded schools, lack of empathy—mean Black kids remain vulnerable to over-policing/disempowerment, no matter advances in medical understanding.
  • Co-host: “I think also systemically for little Black boys, behavioral problems are just like…a part of being in the system.” (58:23)
  • Langston: “How many of these badass kids at school would do better if their mom just didn’t have to work late?” (58:58)

6. Black Parental Attitudes on Gender & Sexuality

• David shares stories about his father's homophobia, as expressed through suspicion about toys, clothes, or who was at the house—always rooted in generational attitudes rather than real malice.
  • “I had a pair of pink sneakers and my dad was like, son, I know you’re bisexual.” (45:07)
• The hosts contrast this with the generally more supportive, open attitudes of their mothers.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Michael Jackson Biopic:
  • Langston: “They’re either going to deal with this in a shit of a way or they are not going to mention it at all. And both of those choices are so funny.” (06:14)
• On Being "Diagnosed":
  • David (quoting his father): “You do that, they gonna put you in the class over there. And then once you in the class over there, you not going to college.” (31:14)
  • Co-host: “They're like: you're stupid. It's stupid in here, bro.” (33:13)
• On Generational Progress:
  • Co-host: “You wonder, though, can your parents harness? They got what they got, and then it’s up to you to harness it a little more. And then the next one's gonna harness it a little more. You know what I mean? Three generations, now you got a Goku." (38:16)
• On the System & Diagnosis:
  • Co-host: “There’s a million places that the system can catch the little Black boys…I’m hesitant to say that I don’t think diagnosis is…reasonable to be hesitant? Yeah, always.” (54:04)
  • Langston: “How many of these badass kids at school would do better if their mom just didn’t have to work late?” (58:58)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:03 – 03:08: Celebrities and first-class truths
• 06:14 – 06:29: Possibilities for the Michael Jackson biopic
• 30:42 – 47:26: In-depth discussion on ADD/A diagnosis in the Black community; personal and generational stories
• 54:04 – 59:30: Does fear of diagnosis still have merit today? Are Black kids still at risk of being “caught” by the system?
• 59:50 – 60:23: Nuanced take on whether diagnosis or avoidance was “wrong,” and empathy for prior generations

Tone & Style

As ever, the episode blends deeply personal narratives, astute social critique, and irreverent, no-holds-barred jokes. The hosts and guest are candid about their upbringings and the real pain caused by both over- and under-diagnosis, but keep things light with side stories and recurring in-jokes (culinary suspicion as sexual coding, generational Goku, Dragon Ball Z analogies).

Summary in One Sentence

Through laughter, storytelling, and sharp social commentary, My Momma Told Me explores why Black parents have historically feared learning disability diagnoses, the complex effects on Black kids’ futures, and the delicate process of breaking generational cycles—offering empathy to the past while demanding better solutions for the present.

Where to Find More

• Devon Walker: My Favorite Lyrics podcast
• Langston Kerman & David Gborie: Upcoming standup dates and more at langstonkerman.com
• Feedback & Stories: mymamapod@gmail.com | 844-LIL-MOMS

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of Black family life, education, generational change, mental health, and, of course, comedy.