And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
The sentimental differences between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are as stark as life and death.
There. I said it.
It troubles me that the standard in America seems to be that we worship our mothers while at the same time, we criticize our fathers. And if we’re not criticizing them outright, we emasculate them softly by reminding them of their roles of responsibility and leadership. Grown men need to be reminded of what God called them to do? When was the last time we reminded a mother to breastfeed her child? When was the last time we called for mothers to be more responsible to the family?
I know. I know. In our society, far too many men have run from their roles as dads. Those are the bad apples but when did a few bad apples define what an apple tastes like? I know many men who are good parents. Period.
My father was absent most of my childhood and when he was around, his presence did more harm than good. I’ve determined to be the opposite – the dad that I always wanted. To me, there is both a semantic and emotional difference between the titles of father and dad. A father seeds a child and bears the responsibility of taking care of her. A dad does that and additionally has a relationship with his child. The title, dad, evokes images of a child sitting in his or her dad’s lap.
I encourage those men who are naturally drawn to parent their children. I encourage those good dads who’s ill fate is to share the same sentence with deadbeat dads. I encourage those good dads beyond Father’s Day. I encourage those men who are parents, simply stated. Just like our mothers, we need you and are thankful for you. Happy Father’s Day… and beyond.
Actually it’s mostly me, Kenn, who is back from the nether-reaches of real life but my ever loyal sidekicks are never far behind.
I’m back to frequent (at least 3 times a week) blogging so I look forward to our exchanges. My novel, PIOUS, will be coming out pretty soon and I have some very exciting things to share leading up to that experience. Cover art, release date, and book website to be revealed soon.
16 years ago or January 19, 1994, my namesake and firstborn graced the world with his pale yellow face. Before he was old enough to do much more than eat and poop and cry (sometimes in that order), he taught me something extraordinary – how to love unconditionally.
read more
My sons and I attended Dragon Con and we made a few costumed friends along the way.
Want to see a LOT of pics of us with our new friends from the parade and festivities?
This past work week had “crummy” scrawled all over it but I was looking forward to the reward of hanging out with my sons at week’s end. Circumstances beyond my reach aborted those plans but I still had an opportunity to share lunch with them on Saturday at this small little spot in Austell called Ruchda (pronounced roosh-dah) Wings. Pictured below, you can see that Kenn 2.0 was more than excited to get out of the house and Spencer dug deep in his wallet to pay. Not.
Love you, Spencer and Kenn. You are the sauce beneath my wings 
1989 was funky summer. 20 years later, the summer is still… funky.
This past weekend, my namesake and I participated in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking film by Spike Lee, Do The Right Thing at the Fox Theatre. We had opportunity to meet the visionary icon of film and spend a bit of time in exchange with him. Apparently, not many people knew of his scheduled appearance at a bookstore in Atlanta so we enjoyed the casual accessibility.
Do The Right Thing is such an amazing film and I was reminded of my previous fixation with it and the anthem by Public Enemy that permeates throughout the movie. It was awesome to see Rosie Perez gyrate to the opening titles and share that experience with my son.
If you haven’t viewed the movie in a while (or ever), I urge you to check it out (regardless of your ethnicity). It is not a black movie. There were no reported race riots that immediately followed the release of the film as the irresponsible and fear-mongering media attempted to provoke. What there was was a dialogue between cultures and ethnicities that is still quite relevant today.
“Elvis was a hero to most
But he never meant s** to me you see
Straight up racist that sucker was
Simple and plain
Mother**** him and John Wayne
Cause I’m Black and I’m proud” – excerpt from “Fight The Power” by Public Enemy
Happy Dad’s Day to all of the dads and moms that serve the role of surrogate dads.
We love you.
Spencer is the coolest 10-year old I know and I have the honor of also being his Dad. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you… Spencer…
One of the coolest things I found out a while ago was that my 15-year old son, Kenn (lovingly known as Kenn 2.0) visits my blog regularly and shares with his friends. How cool is THAT?
I dedicate this post to him in all of his glory and awesomeness. Dad loves you, Kenn.
(Don’t worry, Spencer. You have a post coming up too)
It was my intention to post lots of retrospective pics of my past in the month of February but Work has been excessively needy and I’ve had to give her all of my attention. Better late than next month. Enjoy the smile.
I came across this old ad with Spencer and I for the obstetrician who supervised the birth of both of he and his brother. Funny and such a lifetime ago.
This warehouse is down the street from me and I never noticed the "familiarity" of the logo until today.
read more