DEAR DADS

It’s not easy being a father today, it’s a hard job, and it always has been. I know there are mothers out there who would argue with me on that point and that’s unfortunate, but I can think of at least ten reasons for their disposition, however, I’m going to stand on my point. If you’re a dad and you’re serving in your role well as a protector, provider, and leader, then rightfully take a bow. Sunday, June 21 is our day, ENJOY IT!

Raising children in today’s world is frightening. There once was a time when dads thought they only had to worry about their daughters, but times have changed, it’s bad for young African American males and females. The adage “when white America catches a cold, black America gets the flu,” should be revised to add and we all die. Because if a cold sufferer thinks he can’t catch the flu, he or she is sadly mistaken. Hate is targeting everyone, pitting one against the other, black, white, brown it doesn’t matter. Hate’s only objective is to divide and conquer.

I have my own set of fears as an African American dad, and I have to teach my children a different set of rules of engagement to try and keep them safe. I can only imagine the fears other men have for their sons and daughters as this seething pot of hate boils in America. I shudder to think whose child will be caught in the crosshairs because as a dad it’s about the loss of a child not the color of the child.

I’ll say it again, dads we’ve got a tough job, especially in these times. Now is not the time to cower or ignore what’s going on. It’s time to stand up and show your leadership attitude. Your leadership attitude comes from what you believe about yourself. To know yourself, you must know your history.

Not every dad has the same means to support his family, but make no mistake, leadership still takes action. Leadership is tested in the heat and under pressure, and after a time of testing, good leadership should have withstood the heat and pressure, and still be standing.

Taking the lead means that you’re going to be subjected to pressure, and I get it, everybody can’t take the pressure. Some will run from the challenge as a lot have, I think some refer to them as deadbeats. It also means taking the heat. Yes, not all of our decisions will be the right ones, that’s just part of the process of being a leader, so keep standing.

Both pressure and heat at the same time, it almost sounds like I’m describing an Insta-Pot. You know the modern day pressure cooker that your wife probably asked you to buy her for mother’s day, or not. It turns out some pretty fantastic meals in a short amount of time because of all of the heat and pressure.

So to all the real dads out there, while you have the opportunity with your children, protect them, provide for them, and lead them. And by the way, we need surrogates too, because children are losing their dads daily, Rayshard Brooks was a father of four.

Best regards,

Clifton Campbell
Executive Director