Fatherhood is ... Something To Be Celebrated.

Father’s day is in a couple of days. Ugghhh. A day I used to look forward to I began to dread. Father’s day was the day I’d share that great phone conversation with my dad. I’d make the call that he’d anxiously await. Can’t do that now. My dad passed away almost two years ago and now I have no one to call. You see, my dad and I had a complicated situation. Certain choices he made in life made it complicated for him to be a constant presence in my life. We were not Matthew and Beyonce Knowles, but the love was there. Our time together was limited, but when we did get together, what a time it was. No regrets, nothing left unsaid. Everything we needed to say to each other was said before he passed. I am at peace with the situation and can put it to bed. Still miss him though …

What to do? What to do? How would I get through Father’s day without feeling …blah? Determined not to let me stay in a funk, my mom had a terrific idea. Mom reminded me of the many male friends & family members I have who are MAGNIFICENT dads. She reminded me of how they still needed – and deserved- my support and encouragement. And how celebrating their efforts would be a wonderful way to honor my dad. Okay- I thought to myself- but how? A few days later, while on Facebook, my WEEN Sister- Sabrina Thompson- announced a project that was right on time. The Social Series: Pulsing Positive Imagery Through Cyber Space. Sabrina had the idea to combat negative images of black fathers, by illustrating positive images through photography. WOW! Now that’s what the doctor ordered. As a society we get so caught up in emphasizing the bad, we forget to recognize and acknowledge the good. Sure we have issues pertaining to fatherhood- especially in the African American community- but, there are plenty Black dads out there making it happen every day. They wake up every morning, getting out there to make a way out of no way. Often taking on the role of custodial parent, they are faced with the responsibility of being provider, protector, and educator, to say the least. And their efforts in making it do what it do should not go unnoticed. So, when I got wind of what Sabrina was doing, I had to get in on it. I immediately wrote an essay to nominate someone I felt would be a worthy candidate. He’s been a great friend for 15 years, and for those 15 years I’ve watched him be a great dad. It hasn’t been an easy road, but he’s a fighter. And I’ve watched him defy the odds when the odds were stacked against him. He deserved this accolade and I’m glad he was chosen to be a part of this exhibit.

So on this Father’s day, I’m asking that y’all join in with Sabrina & me in celebrating the joys of fatherhood. The same way we can find fault and perpetuate these negative stereotypes, let us dig deep and find a way to negate all that makes us look a ratchet mess. We can’t allow ourselves to remain blinded by the bad, so that we can’t see the brothers who are living up to their responsibilities. Let’s not make sweeping generalizations that lump all black men into one category. We all know brothers who are doing the right thing; therefore let us lift them up and celebrate their contributions to our families, communities and society as a whole. I could only nominate one, but I can honor all of you. So allow me to show “Father’s Day Love” to my brothers Bryan Peay, Mike Peay, Al Medina, Christopher Andre, Darryl Shepherd, Jason Wallace, Anthony Wilson, Garey Johnson, Karriem Radcliffe, David Murchison, and the countless others who are making lasting impressions on the lives of their children every day. We see you. We honor you. We love. We appreciate you. We celebrate you. And thank YOU, Sabrina Thompson. God gave you the vision to provide this platform by which we can make a big deal of our own. We’re showing the world that we too can build strong family structures with solid foundations. All is not lost. Reclaiming their rightful place in our families, fatherhood is something to be celebrated. Let’s do it!