A Critical Conversation: Daddy I Need You (Tele-Conference for Parents)

One of the greatest challenges facing the African-American community is fatherlessness. Although seldom discussed, fatherlessness accounts for a large percentage of drama and trauma within the African-American community. Over the years we’ve met a large percentage of fathers who are interested in reconnecting with their children but who lack the skills and/or support to begin the healing process.

On Father’s Day, June 19, we’re asking men who are estranged from their children to summon the courage to take steps to reconnect with their children. Visit www.changingfatherhood.com (A Day of Amnesty for Dads)

Please join us for our 4th Tele-Conference Call. These FREE calls are designed to get parents talking about critical issues focused on raising healthy children.

Our special guest will be Kenneth Braswell the CEO of Fathers Incorporated one of the leading grassroots activists in the country focused on responsible fatherhood. Kenneth is the author “When The Tear Won’t Fall,” One Man’s Journey through the Intimate Struggles of Manhood and Fatherhood.”

Additionally, Cassandra Mack (CVO-Strategies for Empowered Living, author & motivational speaker will be joining Kenneth in our discussion. Cassandra is the author of many books which include "The Busy Woman's Little Book of Motivation" & "The Busy Woman's Little Book of Motivation."

The call will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 from 8:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.(Eastern Standard Time)

***Each call is focused on healing and developing healthy decisions about parenting.***

Logistics:
Dial- 605.475.4000 PIN: 324970#

TIME: 8:00 p.m.

DATE: Wednesday, June 15, 2011

  
 Source

Dr. Manning Marable: Remembering Our Father

Celebration of the Life of Dr. Manning Marable on the Morningside Campus of Columbia University, Roone Alredge Auditorium, Lerner Hall on May 26, 2011. 

On behalf of my older sister, Malaika, and twin brother, Joshua, we want to thank you for joining us this evening, to celebrate the life of an extraordinary and inspirational man, and above all, an exceptional Father.  On this day, and every day, it makes us proud to honor a true champion for our people, whom he so loved, our Dad.

Our hearts have continued to ache over his passing, but we have found strength in reflecting on the memories that we shared and how he chose to express himself and live on earth.  We are forever thankful and appreciative of everyone who has reached out to us, and who loved him as much as we did. We thank you.

To most of you, he was Dr. Marable, Professor Marable, or Manning. To us he was Dad, Daddy, and Pops. To him we were Tiger, Soji (My Little Girl) and Handsome Son.

There is no greater gift to give your children than to be amazing. Dad was amazing.

Daddy was our Hero.  Growing up we were captivated by his storytelling that took us to his childhood days - playing practical jokes on Uncle Jimmy, marveling over his younger sister, our Aunt Madonna, and spending long-hot summers with family in Tuskegee, Alabama.  He was an animated storyteller, had a great sense of humor and was very funny. His stories of real life experiences captured our imaginations, warmed our hearts, and impacted our lives.

Dad was gifted.  He had the ability to make you feel like you were the most important person in the world.  His charm, charisma, and radiant heart could light up any room.  People were drawn to his magnetism.  Dad was hip and in his own words, a real "cool cat."

Dad provided sound advice at the right moments, to comfort you during the toughest times.  He was always there when you needed him most. His smile, loving hugs, light-hearted jokes and songs, would make you come alive and brighten your day.

As a child, our grandparent's blessed over him and directed him towards becoming a historian. Dad had an incredible mind, and his memory was remarkable.  Growing up, we called him our “walking encyclopedia.”  We could be anywhere, and he would know the importance and historical significance of each place, building, and person.  He was a humble genius.  A classic academic. We recall as children, forming an assembly line at the kitchen counter, stuffing and sealing envelopes for his column,“From the Grassroots,” which later became the column, "Along the Color Line." 

We believe he spoke so passionately about his work because he loved it so much, but also for all of us to carry on his legacy. Every story, every book, every lecture, small talk at the dinner table, walk on the Vineyard, speak truth to power and his words into existence and live not only for him but for yourselves.

He will always be with us. He lives through his teachings, books, students, colleagues, family, children, and grandchildren. Dad would want us to find our life's true passion and live each day walking on that path and fighting for what's right, even when some may be too scared or think that you are wrong. That's speaking truth to power.

We miss everything about him. His laugh. His smile. His real hugs and warm embrace. The way he danced, talked about sports, his listening ear and sound advice.  His hand clap and laugh, pretending to bite his nails waiting to tell us the punchline of a joke. The twinkle in his eyes when he talked about his life's work. The many other books that he had stored in his mind. Him.

So today we say, thank you. Thank you Daddy for being an inspiration to us all. Thank you for being an exceptional human being. Above all thank you for being an amazing Father.

We are forever thankful for his love, support, and guidance.  

Our Dad was not only amazing in his work but truly amazing as a Father. That's the type of legacy that we want to leave. Be Amazing.

Thank you. 

 

Photos from public memorial. 

Talking about the Birds and the Bees

 

When do you talk about the Birds and the Bees with your kids?  Our oldest son is almost 4 years old and is very aware that girls and boys have different body parts. Yesterday, while brushing his teeth with Daddy in the bathroom he asked, "Daddy, where do you come from?"  I paused from fixing the corner of the bed sheets and looked toward the bathroom door, my ears were burning from trying to hear the response.  Daddy responded, "from Grammy."  

Our oldest son, remembers when his younger brother was in "Mommy's belly."  I'm sure he also has flashbacks of the waiting room at Emory University Hospital, when I was pacing up and down the hallway, holding my back, and rocking back and forth from contractions.  There’s also a chance that he doesn’t remember. 

I recall talking to my mom briefly about sex.  I was too embarrassed and politely brushed her off when she tried to engage me in the "Sex Talk."  My mom pulled out the great colorful children's book, written by Peter Mayle, Where Do I Come From?  We even had the "African American edition."  The pudgy couple looked like "Meet the Browns."  The cartoon images of a man and woman were nicely illustrated on the various semi-glossy pages.  As children, we thought we were looking at a scandalous X-rated magazine, though it did do a good job describing what "goes down" when couples “get together." 

A recent survey by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS), found that 93% of adults support sex education in high school and 84% support it in junior high school.  Come to think of it, I vaguely remember my twin and I taking a sex ed class, either in junior high or high school.  Sex education in schools is a hot topic that has Congress up in arms.  Personally, I'd prefer my sons learn about sex education at home and in school.  This would have a double impact on them.

In these times, you have to direct the conversation past the Birds and the Bees with children.  STDs and HIV/AIDS should be addressed at some point.  Surprisingly, you don't hear too much about those topics in the mainstream media anymore.  The signs about the startling statistics of African Americans and AIDS around West End are gone or peeling away.  It's like the four-letter word has been forgotten.  A study by the CDC found that Blacks/African Americans accounted for the majority of the estimated number of AIDS diagnoses made during 2007, followed by Whites and Hispanic/Latinos.  The South has the highest percentage of new HIV rates in the country.

If parents talk more openly about STDs and HIV/AIDS with their children, then they would further abstain from unprotected sex.  Granted, our boys are young, but I can imagine showing children images of what my mom called in her childhood, "VD."  That would definitely keep their britches on tight.

I don't know a good age to talk to kids about sex.  When do you bring it up?  Do you wait for them?  We know the consequences if you wait too late?  Try the show on MTV, "Teen Mom."  I'm going to do my best to have an open dialogue about sex education with our kids.  It may be uncomfortable for both parties, but risk factors and safer sex behaviors should be openly discussed.

CDC. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Supplemental Report: Cases of HIV Infection and AIDS in the United States and Dependant Areas, by Race/Ethnicity, 2003—2007. Volume 14, Number 2.

Published on MyAtlantaMoms.com. 

An Exceptional Father & Extraordinary Human Being