| Government of the District of Columbia Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5B Single Member District 5B-04 Carolyn C. Steptoe, Commissioner A MESSAGE FOR YOU... CHANGE YOUR CIRCLE/STOP THE LIES: TRIBUTE TO BLACK DADS (Mary McLeod Bethune PCS "Father's Day Brunch" 6/13/2013) | (202) 636-8191 |
I am so tired of the hype
The silly stereotype
That presents our black fathers as anything but tight.
So, for all those folks
Including our dear President
Who did not have
Do not have
Or, simply fell from Mars and never met one.
Let me
Please
Provide you a very concise,
Personal list
Of all the great black fathers I have in my intimate life.
Some are my family.
Others are my friends.
These are my close circle
Of intimate male friends.
Committed dads.
Needing no hoopla.
No grandstand parade.
Not the exception, instead always the rule.
Doing what comes naturally
Because that's what they saw.
Simply remain at the Dad Stand
And be there for your kids.
Sure, they faced personal trials
Illness, heartache and pain.
But one thing stands assuredly
Their daily lives
Daily
Are their kids.
Upclose
Personal
Day-to-day rearing.
They stood up for them
Pained with them
And dealt with fatherhood
The best they could.
In the house
In their house.
With their children.
They saw their kids and their kids saw them.
In spite of life
Death
Divorce
Marital separation
Or income loss.
Nothing ever stopped these fathers
From showing up
And participating
Always loving their children
Dutibound
Never more than arm's length or a phone call away.
I experienced my male circle advise their children
And portray mature, strong moral character.
I saw these black fathers' hearts sink
As their children grew
And took on new lives.
Not needing their dads as much.
You can see their sadness
As they finally admitted that their little ones were grown
But, isn't that the natural part
Of being a responsive parent?
One who's been there
From the beginning?
These regular, Black men
Not anyone's tired,
Trifling stereotype
Destructive stereotypes perpetuated by someone else's resentment
Or Bitterness
Fear and anger.
But those are just stereotypes
See, in my world, maybe like yours,
Are zillions of great black fathers
Black fathers who are my
Ex-husbands
Brothers
Family
Beaus
Friends
Neighbors
Colleagues
All standing high –
And ... Almost ...
Parallel to the most beloved black male father in my world
My dad!
Yup, couldn't ask for a better example of all that his children needed to become strong, Successful, resilient, practical and contributing.
Nothing exceptional to this – just what is.
So, on behalf of all the black fathers
Who continue to get the same tired bum rap
Ya'll need to change your circle of influence, folks – change it up!
Cause these black fathers got it like that!
And for those that don't know... you better ask someone 'bout these black fathers.
| Rexford Gilbert Steptoe, Jr. Philip Anthony Adam B. Delaware B. Jerome R. John R. Jacinto R. Leonard C. Stanley L. Oswald L. Alphonso L. Locksley M. Bobby B. Claster W. Grayling W. Dante H. Dion P. George S. Tony S. Joelle's dad BJ's husband Cenetia's husband & dad Pastor Elijah S. Deacon Lance | Deacon Steve Darrell R. Ameen/Steve B. Troy I. Gregg B. Clayton R. Herb S. Bernard J. Rudy- neighbor Dave -neighbor Leonard L. Cyril C. Dr. Pendergrast. Mr. Woodfolk Dr. Watson Mr. Wood Mr. Culler Mr. Knight Mr. Wilson Erin W. - neighbor Mason's dad Obi's dad Taylor's dad Deacon Kevin |
THIS LIST CONTINUES ON THE NEXT 500 PAGES....
Add your own black fathers - and these lies will stop.
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