reprinted with permission from my homie El Machetero from the T.Dot (who also happens to be one of my fave DJs):
Fatherless Children
“None of us are in any position to front……this is a huge problem. Especially in our Latino and Black communities, but definitely not exclusively so.
It really never ceases to shock me to find out time and time again that every other person i know practically grew up not even knowing who their father is, and almost everybody else grew up knowing WHO their father was, but with him being such a non-presence in their lives, that he may as well have remained a stranger.
i don’t think i need to say anything about how this often ends up becoming a pattern, both in terms of the negative cycle that so many dudes end up perpetuating, and in terms of what type of relationships a lot of women who grow up fatherless end up having with the men in their lives.
Growing up, me and my papa definitely had our struggles and our share of harsh moments, but at least he has always been a part of my life and the lives of my siblings. And if any of you know anything about the circumstances under which i grew up, you will know that this was no small accomplishment.
So anyway……some of you who have known me for a few years may know that i used to work at Jessie’s Centre for Teens down in Regent Park as a facilitator for their young father’s group from 2002-2004. Like many other jobs in the social service sector, it was just a short-term temporary contract, and i was quite dismayed to find out that not long after i was laid off, all of their programming for young dads was scrapped.
Over the weekend, i found out that one of the young dads i worked most closely with committed suicide last year,and i have found out that quite a few of the others i worked with really ain’t doing too hot either.
This is a serious problem. It’s been pointed out time and time again the link this all has with to all of the epidemics that exist in our oppressed communities, from school drop-out rates, to teen pregnancy, to violence in the streets and in the home, to mass incarceration, to the just plain dysfunctional state of how so many of us tend to relate to ourselves and one another.
There is just so much work that needs to be done……..”
Thoughts?
(PS- people who sneeze and don’t cover their mouth in enclosed spaces, like cars and elevators, should be punished with death. I hate the “smell” of sneeze, especially other peoples.)
Posts
February 29, 2008 @ 10:53 am
How is fuck it friday a post about derelict fathers?
THATS what’s wrong with society.
February 29, 2008 @ 11:26 am
I blame hip hop!
February 29, 2008 @ 11:33 am
lmao- because they said “F**k it” instead of raising their kids
Should I whip out a titty to bring up the mood?
February 29, 2008 @ 11:50 am
Should I whip out a titty to bring up the mood?
Now ya talking…
But anyway… As a father this is something I feel real strongly about. There is nothing more important or special than the two boys Im raising. From the very first time I saw my oldest son there was something in me that switched and nothing else in this world came close. An I saw my second son being born…and that was truly amazing. I do eveything in my power to make sure that they are ok. An anytime and I mean anytime they want to talk see me or just play around I am right there. I love my fellas
February 29, 2008 @ 12:38 pm
Yes…
some titty poppage is always welcome.
February 29, 2008 @ 12:39 pm
But men can only take so much blame. Women have to watch who they choose to be their childrens fathers because if shit don’t work out, its them that have to hold it down. Loving somebody is one thing, but that doesn’t mean they will be good fathers. The biggest fear for me has always been the baby mama because taking care of the child is the easy part. Dealing with his/her psycho ass moms has always been my issue because I never hear complaints about the kid, its always ” her mother this or his mother that” . My ex lost one a couple years back and I had no problem with her as a mother.
February 29, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
‘How is fuck it friday a post about derelict fathers?’
I was thinkin that too
February 29, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
Whut up dig!
Now how about that David Archuleta?
February 29, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
Whats up dig… Im glad I didnt let my fanny pack get crushed…
February 29, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
That text message really made the rounds…
someone else sent me it too besides dig.
February 29, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
Willy: David Archuletta is my new hero LOL. Him and that damn David Hernandez. Its the year of the Davids
CJP: Gotta protect your fanny pack, LOL!
February 29, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
‘Him and that damn David Hernandez. Its the year of the Davids’
And I didn’t know if it was possible to top Hernandez’s performance…
Che-crazy-ass-name did well too.
February 29, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
damn shame… nigga cant just get hello.
February 29, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
That text message really made the rounds…
Oh shit so you part of that too… I be damn. Next time just forward a pic of some titts or something.
February 29, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
CJP: Hey I was just tryna warn you before you reached for the aluminum hat
WIlly: I know, when he got off stage, it was over for me, then here come Baby Lennon busting it open LOL. Hernandez is still my favorite though. Chekezie gonna go home in the next two votes, watch….. but please tell me why Amanda crazy blonde-black hair ass still there? WHY???
February 29, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
‘but please tell me why Amanda crazy blonde-black hair ass still there? WHY???’
Cuz the black girls got to go.
The girls were really terrible this week. Bad song selection all the way around. Even ol girl from Ireland was on that bullshit. And I like Heart.
But this is 70s night and I don’t get any Donna Summer or Diana Ross???
Get RIGHT!
February 29, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
Hey I was just tryna warn you before you reached for the aluminum hat
Its not an aluminum hat…ITs a Transmitter to communicate with the planet Zerbcon in Galaxy sector 7….
If you were white you would have known that.
February 29, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
And you KNOW I woulda fucked around and sang ‘Soft and Wet’.
February 29, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
LOL true, true. Alexandrea was good to me. I was surprised they sent her home.
February 29, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
Even got me taliking about fatherhood on a fucking friday…..
This is why married people should be banned from posting ….lol
February 29, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
‘If you were white you would have known that.’
February 29, 2008 @ 1:16 pm
‘Alexandrea was good to me. I was surprised they sent her home.’
Crazy.
Just Crazy.
She had the most stage presence out of all the girls on there IMO?
Especially last week?
February 29, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
Yup, thats what I said. Broke Little Archuletta’s heart when she left
February 29, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
Oh yeah… I gotta keep yall posted on this because this will be a monumental riot if they don’t get hit with the max and I will be reserving hotels for all out of state rioters…lol
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02292008/news/regionalnews/lt__in_sean_bell_case__detective_was_fra_99864.htm
February 29, 2008 @ 1:20 pm
I will be reserving hotels for all out of state rioters
Damn shame…but if they dont get the max. Yall Better tear that place up.
February 29, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
And you KNOW I woulda fucked around and sang ‘Soft and Wet’.
Im going to go out on a limb and say yall talking about American Idol…am i right?
February 29, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
‘Broke Little Archuletta’s heart when she left’
Broke my heart when I realized tuesday’s show got deleted cuz my roommate fucked with the DVR settings.
Went to watch his performance this morning and the shit was gone…
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
February 29, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
Whut up cec…
yeah.
DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVID!
February 29, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
And you KNOW I woulda fucked around and sang ‘Soft and Wet’.
AHHH shit….
You’re just as soft as a lion tamed
You’re just as wet as the evening rain
How will I take it when you call my name
Your love is driving me…
you’re driving me insane
February 29, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
Now see you play too much
February 29, 2008 @ 1:37 pm
Damn shame…but if they dont get the max. Yall Better tear that place up
————
I told yall I ain’t ” martin marching” fo shit…. its all about a “malcolm mashing”…lol. I’m already plotting out targets because it will be a very quick trial since there is no jury
February 29, 2008 @ 1:37 pm
Hey Willy
I figured. I havent watched any of it. So ima stay off the comments today LMAO
February 29, 2008 @ 1:38 pm
Damn SKIPPY cjp!!!!!!!
February 29, 2008 @ 1:38 pm
Yall up on the WIRE ???
February 29, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
‘So ima stay off the comments today LMAO’
Pull a titty out and distract us.
February 29, 2008 @ 1:44 pm
Damn SKIPPY cjp!!!!!!!
Man I was listening to Lady Cab Driver this moning on the way in…
February 29, 2008 @ 1:45 pm
‘Man I was listening to Lady Cab Driver this moning on the way in…’
Please don’t get me started.
February 29, 2008 @ 1:46 pm
Ill whip out titties next time LMAO. Ok yall im oout for the day, have a good weekend
February 29, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
February 29, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
You never stop trying lol.
———
Pull a titty out and distract us.
February 29, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
‘You never stop trying’
no no no.