By: Robert Collins
When I think about father’s day I think of all the great things my dad did and still does for me. But something else I think of is the lack of recognition that fathers get. I happen to have been blessed with a father who spent as much time as he possibly could with me growing up. He and I are very close today because all the bonding we did when I was young. One story about my dad that has always stayed with me is the time he took me to a Laker game when I was 7. When I was 7 my dad took me to a Laker game back when they still played at the Great Western Forum. At the end of the game my dad got up for a quick second to talk to someone. When he came back he pointed in the direction of a very tall man in a suit. He said, “Robert go shake that guy’s hand.” I got up from my seat and went over to him. It wasn’t until I got right up to the man that I realized who he was. He was so tall that I had to lean my head back just to see his face. After he leaned forward and put his hand out, I knew just who it was. It was Magic Johnson! I looked up at him and waved saying, “Hi Magic Johnson.” To my surprise and wonder he responded back by saying, “Merry Christmas Robert.” Magic Johnson knew my name! I have never forgotten that and probably never will. That was one of the greatest days of my entire life and it was because my dad knew someone who worked at the forum and wanted to make that day special for me. My dad is a great man and I love him for all of the things he does for me. I do understand that not everyone gets to spend time with his or her father for different reasons and that leads me to my next point. One problem in the African American community is the lack of fathers taking up their fatherly responsibilities. When I worked at The American Red Cross one of my coworkers assumed that I didn’t have a dad. When I asked her why that was she said it was because most black guys she knew didn’t have fathers. At my last job, my coworker was surprised when I mentioned spending time with my dad. He told me that since I was black he figured my dad was “not in the picture” as he explained.
Yes it’s true that not all men take up their responsibilities when they become fathers but that’s not always the case. Even Allstate Insurance gives rewards to drivers who don’t fit the typical driver stereotype. I think its time we start recognizing fathers who handled their business. At the hotel where I work now, mother’s day is the busiest day of the year. This is because the hotel puts together a very nice brunch for the sake of the occasion. As a bus boy in the hotel restaurant, I was running around nonstop because it was so packed. One woman asked me if the hotel did the same kind of event for father’s day and I was not surmised to hear from my boss that father’s day was just another day. Father’s Day should not be just another day. To all the dads out there, happy father’s day and thank you for changing the world one kid at a time.
Hello
Thank you for given my grand son an opportunity to express his feeling.
Great writing
Grand Mom-Me
Hey there nephew. I am not surprised by this connotation. Like everything else, a majority of people have fallen into the stereotype of watching “Jerry Springer or Maury Paulvich” where they glorify dead beat dads that just so happen to be of african american desent. Its’s kind of funny how 100% of the black fathers that I know are all a significant part of their childrens life.
I really don’t want to turn this into a race war but I am curious to know of what ethnic background were the folks that assumed you did not have a father in your life?
Near or there, I am proud to have experienced (my father/your grandfather) and know several positive, strong and
present forces in their kids life-black, white, yellow, purple or green . To all of you I say “Happy Father”s Day.”
i am happy to read ur blog to noe that their are good fathers out their. i recently found my real dad and to my surprised he is a good man. Now let me explain My mom never told him about me. she was dealing with alot of drug issues so I was kinda upset to knoe that i wasent raised by him be cuz my two sisters are doing very well for them selfs being raisd by him so now that i am 23 and we are makeing up for loss time he has been very good to me and letting me know ware i came from and who my family are.. i am upset with my mom for not letting him take me as a child becuz my life would be totally differnt but i am happi to knoe that he has time for me now for him to be a father for the rest of my life…and you knoe wat he has been a better father to me than my adopted dad was my whole life…now thats crazy but its true!! but i dont regret going to DBHS and getting to know u tho…
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