Good Morning Brian,
I read this and even though I have only met your father once, I am absolutely positive that there was a whole lot that you left out. Over the few years that I have gotten to know you and interact with your sons, I must tell you that I have always been impressed with you and the type of Man you are -- inclusive of the type of father I see you being.
That being said, I could only say that even though Women are quite capable of raising strong sons, the fact that your father has been part of you entire life and has your admiration at such a high level, I am absolutely sure that the little that you said is but a drop in the bucket of who he is and all that he has done in your life and for all the youth he has interacted with.
And I am absolutely sure that he is proud of the type of Man/father you are. As a friend, I am very proud of your presence as a father to your sons and the other kids in our Community!! Keep up the great work and like you said -- little is shown about the awesome fathers in the Black Community -- and there are lots of them -- I have many personal experiences from my Brother-in-laws to so many of my friends fathers -- they all helped make me who I am today.
Rob
On Fri, Jun 14, 2013 at 10:21 AM, Brian Bradford <brianbradford42@yahoo.com> wrote:
Commissioner,I'd like to talk about my old man. I don't expect many people to read my sappy comments, but for those that do, and respond with testimonies about their dads over this weekend I will enjoy reading those post and learning about other people's pops.When I read the comment section beneath the Washington Post's article about the MBT attack I was angered and disgusted by the more than 100 racists comments about fatherless black teens. I remember going to John Burroughs Elementary the morning after The Cosby Show premiered. My friends and I high-fived each other on the playground and recited the jokes because we finally saw ourselves on network television for the first time (there isn't a single network show about an African American family on television today).Both of my dad's parents were deceased by the time he graduated from Cardozo. He sometimes tells me, "Ive been a grown man since I was 16." He was the first in our family to go to college. He went to Tennessee State University on a swimming scholarship. He got a BS in Health & Physical Education (don't say "gym" or "PE" around this guy), earned a Master's degree while waiting for my mom to graduate and then earned a PhD. Dad taught and coached at Anacostia and HD Woodson SHS for 38 years. He is an Omega Man, he is the superintendent of Sunday School at Allen Chapel AME Church, he is hilarious - he is Bill Cosby without the money. My dad started an all-black age group swim team in far northeast in 1972. That team has produced a few hundred college graduates, ministers, dentists, lawyers, career military men and women, school teachers, police officers - you name it. I have thousands of brothers and sisters because of his advising, mentoring and coaching teenagers. He has walked many of his former students down the aisle at their weddings, penned former students into his fraternity and served as granddad or godfather to more than a couple of babies.He has been married to my mom for 43 years. His strength and wisdom is my blueprint for raising my 4 sons alone (I mean, with his and my mom's help). Yesterday, when my oldest son graduated from middle school he listed "stand-up comedian" as his chosen profession. I know why.My dad's size 10 shoes are the largest I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill. He is my idol.Happy Pappy's Day to you all!BrianFrom: Gigi Ransom <gigifor5c12@yahoo.com>
To: "ward5@yahoogroups.com" <ward5@yahoogroups.com>; "Steptoe, Carolyn C.(ANC 5B04)" <5B04@anc.dc.gov>
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 9:00 AM
Subject: Re: [ward5] Cmr. Steptoe's Father's Day Message: "Change your Circle/Stop the Lies: Tribute to Black Dads"
Comm. Steptoe,This is beautiful and the truth. Thank you for sharing!Albrette "Gigi" Ransom
From: "Steptoe, Carolyn C.(ANC 5B04)" <5b04@anc.dc.gov>
To: "Steptoe, Carolyn C.(ANC 5B04)" <5B04@anc.dc.gov>
Cc: "Steptoe, Carolyn C.(ANC 5B04)" <5B04@anc.dc.gov>
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 7:02 AM
Subject: [ward5] Cmr. Steptoe's Father's Day Message: "Change your Circle/Stop the Lies: Tribute to Black Dads" [1 Attachment]
Visit http://www.wemovedc.org/ for more information.
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