Even within the Holy Scriptures, after the moment in which Jesus quelled the turbulent winds and the sea by declaring, “Peace, be still,” his devoted disciples posed the question, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?” (Mark 4:35-41). It is crucial for all individuals, especially fathers, to acknowledge that their criteria for manhood, as well as their definitions of a successful father, should not be dictated, established, or compared to any other individual or established standard. Instead, these criteria should be aligned with the teachings of God and His Son, Jesus, who serve as our exemplary models and standards to emulate.

In 2016, the critically acclaimed film “Fences” featured the world-renowned actor Denzel Washington, who emphasized to all fathers, prospective fathers, their children, and every attentive listener that while fathers are not obligated to have affection for their children, they do possess a responsibility, a duty, and an obligation to act in their children’s best interest, as they owe them more than just the life that they helped bring into existence with the assistance of God. Every father, irrespective of his present circumstances, past achievements, or current challenges, must recognize that each day he awakens, he owes a duty to God, himself, and his child or children. The failures we experience as men and fathers yield a compounding effect that incurs interest that we may never fully repay within our lifetimes. Every individual who is fortunate enough to assume the role of a father must endeavor daily to fulfill all his obligations.

As we commemorate another Father’s Day, we all must refer to our roadmap for success, which is the Word of God. In the book of Genesis, Chapter 27, we uncover several insightful and sacred principles that illuminate what every father is obligated to provide for his children. Gone are the days, times, and beliefs that held the Black community hostage, where Black Fathers held to the notion that all I must do is get them to the age of 18, and my job is done. In the passage, in verse 1, we observe Isaac in the later years of his life continuing to remain present and accessible to his children, both of whom had reached an age sufficient for marriage and for the procurement of food independently. Frequently, we falter in our roles as fathers due to our lack of presence and availability. To achieve success as a father, as prescribed by the word of God, it is imperative that one embodies both qualities. An excessive number of individuals find themselves physically present yet emotionally unavailable, as their thoughts, anxieties, and concerns overwhelm them. In the text, Isaac is depicted as elderly and afflicted by diminished vision, yet he remains both present and accessible to his two adult sons. We must also recognize that mere presence is insufficient. It is the desire of God for us to engage in the lives of our child or children actively.

If any man aspires to embody the qualities of a father that aligns with divine approval, it is imperative that they are not only present and accessible but also recognize that, even when their children reach adulthood, they should continue to offer guidance, instruction, and teaching, as exemplified by Isaac in verses 2-4. The bible says, “My son, hear the instruction of thy father and forsake not the law of your mother” (Proverbs 1:8). For a son or any child to receive guidance from a father, it is imperative that the father possesses insights that are impactful, transformative, and in harmony with the teachings of the word of God. The focus of our guidance to our children should no longer center on the pursuit of monetary gain, seeking revenge, or strategies for attracting the romantic partner of our dreams. Whether we acknowledge it or not, we provide our children with guidance daily, even in moments of silence, through our actions and behaviors.

Each day that we are privileged to awaken constitutes a blessing and a miracle bestowed upon us by God. Just as God, who is our heavenly Father, bestows and grants us blessings as a father, we should aim to bestow blessings upon our children throughout their lives, like Issac did in verses 4 and 29. When God bestows upon a man the role of fatherhood, it is imperative that he becomes resolute and maintains such focus, for the implications extend beyond his concerns. Regrettably, many children endure hardships because their fathers remain consumed by self-centered beliefs. The aspiration and prayer of every father ought to be to ensure that his children experience a life that surpasses his own.

In other words, every father should have something to give to his children besides debt and a rolling stone mentality and legacy. Should one examine the text that Isaac provided to his children without any prior prompting or request, it becomes apparent that Isaac exemplifies for fathers the imperative of surpassing the immature mentality that has impeded our community. This mentality is delineated by the predominant belief among numerous Black men that assistance in nurturing the success of their sons or children in adulthood is only merited when explicitly solicited or pleaded for. As Isaac prepared to bestow blessings upon his sons, he indeed recalled the various challenges he had encountered throughout his own adult life. Consequently, I urge every father to reflect on this and to transcend the belief that their children must struggle unnecessarily as adults to be successful.

While most individuals strive to navigate life debt-free, every father must realize that when he is blessed with fatherhood, he now owes a debt for the remainder of his life, even after his children have grown into grown adults. Every father owes his children his presence, his availability, and he owes them guidance and blessings throughout their lives. The pertinent question arises: as a father, what obligations do you hold towards your children, and are you fulfilling those obligations? My father consistently emphasized the principle that if one owes a debt to another, it is imperative to repay it. The most authentic method of repaying the obligations owed to one’s children is by adhering to the guidelines provided by God regarding the conduct expected of every father.

Staff Writer; Jamie Seals

May also connect with this brother on Twitter; mychocolatemind.

Also drop an email at; JSeals@ThyBlackMan.com.

“I was a young kid, struggling with the loss of my Nigerian heritage and my name, with my parents’ divorce and my father’s departure, and in its place, I found the belonging and acceptant that Kalfani’s friendship and basketball granted me.”

Will Jawando could have written a stat book to discuss the importance of positive Black men in the lived of Black boys as they grow and develop. Instead of writing a book that simply states facts we’ve heard repeatedly, the author took the time to allow us to see how the power of Black male mentorship showed up in his life. He walks us through seven father figures [including his biological father], and with elegance, compassion and honestly, he shows us their hands on his life as they mold him into the man he would become. This is a journey that will make you smile, cry, and acknowledge that we need…our sons need their fathers and the Black men of the community.

“Despite our living conditions, I remember this time as mostly happy. I say mostly because I still missed my father, and in the magical thinking mode that comes easily to anyone grieving, I believed we could be a family again. Dad’s absence threw the pall of “If only” over my young life.”

The reader will find this book very easy to follow. It is a strong yet compassionate read. Each chapter is focused on a father, and each chapter is different. It rings home the idea not only do our sons need Black men, but they need various Black men that can offer them different perspectives, and wisdom that will speak to their needs at different junctures in their life. What is needed at eight is different at sixteen, and what will be needed in adulthood is another conversation entirely though all of it is building locks over times. The author is masterful in giving the reader several narratives beautifully weaved into one powerful success story.

“The benefit of having more than one parent, and if you’re me – seven fathers – is that so much of how I see and experience the world is an expression of how my fathers’ influences have played off one another. There’s no doubting the African Proverb “It takes a village to raise a child.””

This is a book that needs to be read in book clubs, church meetings, by young boys, men that are struggling with the Black men in their life, and by mothers. Yes, mothers need to read this book as it gives insight into what our son’s need that we ourselves can not provide. It is important that we play a role in helping our sons get the Black male village they need. This book does not run from delivering the message of accountability and responsibility, and it doesn’t run from putting systemic racism at the forefront of issues that are faced by the Black community, specifically in this case Black men. Please read and share this book with as many Black boys as you can. They may find some of the guidance they need in Will Jawado’s story.

“My Seven Black Fathers” by Will Jawando can be found at your local bookstore, Amazon, and anywhere books are sold.

Staff Writer; Christian Starr

May connect with this sister over at Facebook; C. Starr and also Twitter; MrzZeta.

Also via email at; CStarr@ThyBlackMan.com.

Former NFL linebacker DeMarcus Ware lived up to being a first-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft by having a great career in which he had 138 and a half career quarterback sacks, earned nine Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro selections, and won a Super Bowl as a member of the Denver Broncos. As he reflected on his life’s journey to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Ware acknowledged his absent father during his speech and gave some thoughtful words to him and the audience with his father in attendance. Ware remarked, “This might sound crazy, but the NFL taught me how to forgive. First. I forgave myself. And then I forgave my dad. Dad… all the times I didn’t understand why you weren’t there. It doesn’t matter. You’re here now. I’ve learned that guilt rots in the person and forgiveness heals. How can I expect God to forgive me? If I don’t forgive you? You once said two simple words to me. I’m sorry. I’m not sure if I responded but I’m telling you now, on the biggest platform of my life, I forgive you.”

There are a lot of macro-level factors at work as to why some African/Black fathers are absent in raising their kids. At times, the children of those absent fathers have tremendous success in their respective careers like DeMarcus Ware thanks to the incredible work of single African/Black mothers and their “village” of family and loved ones that are instrumental in the raising of children. It says something about DeMarcus Ware to use his biggest professional moment of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame to have his absent father there and to publicly forgive him in front of a nationwide audience.

Former Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade became a true superstar during his NBA career. He is the most accomplished player in Miami Heat history and was a first-ballot lock for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame even before he retired from playing in the NBA. During his Hall of Fame speech, Wade gave tribute to all the important people in his life from his teammates and coaches, to kids, to his wife, to his mother. It was Wade’s words about his father that really stood out as he asked his father to stand up at the end of his speech. “Even though I hated being called little Dwyane, I admired you as a kid,” Wade said. “I admire you now.

We have the same exact dream and we carry the same exact name, Dwyane Tyrone Wade. To know we hustled all the way to the Basketball Hall of Fame is God’s will. So Pops, I know your knee is a little sore. But will you join me on stage as we take our rightful step into basketball heaven?” After inviting his father on-stage, the younger Wade told his father that he loved him, hugged him and exclaimed, “We in the Hall of Fame, dawg!”. It was a beautiful moment and a reminder of how powerful a bond an African/Black son can have with his African/Black father.

Staff Writer; Mark Hines

The academic study of salvation is called soteriology.  It is defined as the collective analysis of the various procedures (or lack of such) that have been set forth by different faiths or religions, that they believe is the correct path to Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ).

You, being the reader, might wonder what credentials I may have to qualify me as a proper authority concerning this matter.  I suggest that you first read “Devout Christians: The Whole Truth of Biblical Creation, Part 1 of 7”.  Of the various entities that try to explain biblical creation, that article (up till now) is the only one that starts with the origin of Satan, and the events occurring before the time period of Genesis 1:1.  Also, consider the information that is being provided in this article.

We should start off with “Why is salvation necessary?”.  Take note that I used the word “necessary” and not the word “required”.  Let me cite the following bible verses.

Matthew 7:13-15

¹³ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

¹⁵ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Here, Yeshua (the Hebrew name of Jesus) is speaking of the gospel of salvation.  Anyone can accept salvation and be saved from sin.  But only a relative few will do what is necessary to obtain that (true) salvation.  Most people that think that they have salvation have actually been misled by misinformation, false teachers, or the spiritual laziness of the individual.  The purpose of having salvation is to become a saint of God (Yehovah), and avoid standing trial (being a defendant) at the White Throne Judgment (WTJ).  If you are a defendant at the WTJ, there is more than a 60% chance that you will be cast into the Lake of Fire, to be tormented forever with Satan.  That’s why you would want to be a judge, and not the defendant.

Take note that there is a difference between the Lake of Fire and the place known as Hell.  When a saint of God dies, they go to Paradise (Luke 23:43), to be resurrected at the second coming of Yeshua.  Everyone else who dies goes to Hell (Luke 16:23), whether they were a righteous person or not. They will be resurrected at the third coming of Yeshua, and will stand trial at the WTJ and be judged by one of the saints (1st Corinthians 6:2).  It is hoped that the righteous do not suffer as much (if at all) as the wicked in Hell.

So why was the necessity of salvation put upon us?  Well, when Yehovah first created this Earth and universe, mankind was to be immortal, and to first inhabit all the Earth before venturing out into outer space and inhabiting all the galaxies that had been created.  Our universe was the last (or most recent) creation God had made, and Lucifer (the former head angel in Heaven) was assigned as overseer.

Again, you need to go read “The Whole Truth of Biblical Creation”.

Mankind was not supposed to have any direct dealings with the Creator.  All our needs were to be addressed by Lucifer.  However, things turned sour when the expectations of Lucifer were not met, and he tried to gain “his independence” from Yehovah. Therefore seven periods of time were determined to take back ownership of Earth (refer to Daniel 9:24).

The first five advents of mankind on Earth have come and gone. We are now in the sixth period of time on Earth.  In Genesis chapter two, it is only the beginning history of modern man (7200 BC), and how Yehovah tricked Satan in to hanging himself.  The tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was not put in the garden to test man.  It was put there to create a loophole in God’s covenant(s) with Lucifer, in order to righteously take back ownership of Earth.

However, with Adam and Eve’s disobedience, came sin and death also, as stated in the following verse:

Romans 5:12

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Adam was the “executor of the estate” of mankind.  When he sinned, the penalty of death was imputed on all of his offspring.  The nature of sin is passed from father to child by means of the male’s sperm.  That is why Yeshua had to be born of a virgin, but more about that later.  Meanwhile, mankind was separated from God and eternal life.  Yehovah developed a plan of salvation for modern mankind, since it was mainly the fault of Lucifer that mankind had to suffer the fate of death.

For whatever reason, it would take thousands of years to put the plan in place.  Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden in 4267 BC.  Adam died in 3037 BC. Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam, was taken to Heaven without dying in 3280 BC.  The flood of Noah was in 2611 BC.  The one land mass was divided into continents, and the Babel Tower stoppage was in 2509 BC.  A man named Abram was born in 2318 BC, and God called him “to be separate” in 2243 BC, when he left his family and ventured out to the land of Canaan.

Yehovah established His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:

2 Kings 13:23

And the Lord was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

After the Exodus of the children of Israel (House of Jacob) from Egypt in 1598 BC, the nation of Israel was to be the spokesmen of Yehovah, in order to reveal to the rest of the world the knowledge of God.  That is why the Jews are called “God’s special people”:

Deuteronomy 7:6

For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

End of Part 1.

Devout Christians: The Whole Truth of Biblical Salvation, Part 2 of 5.

Staff Writer; Herman Cummings

You may also purchase this writer book which is entitled; Moses Didn’t Write About Creation.

Note: Recently Herman published a new book which is entitled; The Sabbath That Assassinated Atheism Kindle Edition.

But what happens when that relationship produces children?

How do we learn to separate our hurt and possible ill feelings toward the other parent in a way that does not negatively affect our children?

This seems to be a very big issue in the black community. Statistics prove there is a large number of single parents who are no longer in relationships with the mother or father of their children. I am actually one of those parents and often wonder why many parents allow their personal issues with their co-parent (for whatever reason) dictate how they conduct themselves as parents. The only people that truly get hurt in these instances are the children.

The ultimate goal of a harmonious co-parenting situation is:

* the parents should truly love their children;

* become active participants in the children’s upbringing;

* put aside any personal difference;

* and agree to terms and solutions that are exclusively fair and reasonable that benefit the children’s happy and healthy development.

This should all be simple, right? In most cases this is not the norm. As adults, it’s funny how our unwillingness to collectively work together, lands us in the court systems. Dead beat moms or dead beat dads are the exclusion, and the judicial system may very well be necessary due to the fact that each parent should contribute to a child’s up-bring and well-being. But many parents use the legal system as a way to attack the other parent out of spite and hate. Which results in even more ill feelings, unnecessary cost due to lawyers and court fees, and in some cases jeopardizing a child’s ability to have healthy relationships with both parents. We must understand that the court system has never been concerned about keeping black families together. In fact they benefit greatly from the breakdown of our families.

Moving forward is a part of life and just like change it is a constant. We must understand that there is no substitution for the other involved parent. A new girlfriend, boyfriend, husband, or wife may adore your child like their own, but the co-parent should understand that their significant other is not the biological parent and in turn he/she should be respectful of their place in issues concerning the child’s welfare. That “place” is to be supportive of their spouse and remain neutral in regards to circumstances where they only receive one side of the story.

Involved and active parents are normally territorial about their children and who they are around. Even more so when they are not in the household on a daily bases. Both parents are responsible for playing a positive role when it comes to the balance of their new relationships and their relationship with the children’s other parent.

To often in our community, we see the act of a bitter parent playing a step parent or romantic interest against a biological (co-parent) parent based on bruised egos, hurt feelings, and false representations of the other party. What many don’t understand is that children are very observant and see much more then we give them credit for being able to comprehend. Speaking negatively about the other parent to the child or anyone else, being disrespectful towards the other parent in front of the child, and even creating circumstances in which it is difficult for both parents to actively participate in their child’s life, are unacceptable under any circumstance.

The moral imperative of remembrance and resistance, then, requires first of all that we remember rightfully, otherwise our remembering is reduced to unreflective ritual devoid of substance and fashionable references borrowed from corporate media’s common place diversionary questions of personal feelings, questionable change, self-indictment and inevitable false and perfunctory praise of America the beautiful, blameless and unblemished. Likewise, it can be reduced to ritualistic social media posts seeking likes and classifications of trending rather than paying homage in more active and meaningful ways. Thus, we must remember in ways that do honor to the dead and living and reaffirm our obligation to continue the struggle, keep the faith and hold the line until victory is achieved and secured.

A rightful remembrance means we do not remember in isolation or as a passing notice of media interests. Rather, this particular expression, and all others, of police violence must be seen, embraced and engaged as a part of our history of oppression and resistance, linking our rightful remembrance of Nana George Floyd to that of rightful remembrance of Nanas Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice, Elijah McClain, and more recently Nana Jordan Neely, and all the others not named here from the past and those yet to be named from an unfolding future. Again, this is one of the reasons remembrance is unavoidably and inseparably linked to resistance, for the list will inevitably be longer if we do not continue and intensify the struggle.

To remember rightfully is also to remember respectfully, that is to remember with an appropriate awareness and appreciation of the worthiness of the persons and the issues under consideration. It is also to be thoughtful in our remembering, that is to say, both reflective and caring, to think and care deeply about the persons and issues that demand rightful attentiveness. Moreover, to remember rightfully is to remember in self-determined ways, neither letting our oppressor be our teacher nor even our allies be our tutor. Here it is good to remember Nana Frantz Fanon’s teaching that to think and act in new liberated ways we must leave Europe “where they are never done talking of (abstract) man, yet murder (real) men and (women) everywhere they find them, at the corner of every one of their own streets and in all the corners of the globe”.

Nana George Floyd and Nana Breonna Taylor are the major Black male and female faces of victims of police violence, but the list is long and constantly lengthens even as we rightly continue to resist and struggle to end the violence and radically transform the system that produces, sanctions and supports it. Indeed, in a real and constantly threatening way, all of us, Black male and female, adult and child, are potential victims of this radically evil practice of police violence which is symptomatic of a racist system that continuously seeks to deny our full humanity and human rights.

Nana Fannie Lou Hamer’s timeless and ever-relevant teaching that we are to care deeply about those who made us possible, carried us over troubled and treacherous waters, and gave us solid and sacred ground to stand, build and do righteous battle on is applicable to Nana George Floyd and Nana Breonna Taylor and all the martyrs and victims of police violence as well as of the general and pervasive systemic violence of society. For their brutal, premature and undeserved deaths are sacrifices, even unintended, that must be honored by our making sure their deaths have heavy historical weight, not only in our memory, but also in deepening our commitment to the struggle to end the conditions and system that so savagely destroyed their lives and those of others.

They and all like them did not choose to die the undeserved and horrific deaths the murderers imposed on them. They were on their way home, sometimes only a few blocks away; in their cars hanging out or just driving to some place of life and living or in their homes rightfully expecting a security they were savagely denied. They were children playing in a park or joyriding with no thought of or reason for not returning home, or living out their full lives and looking toward tomorrow. But the ice man cometh, and the ice man kills without human concern or moral conscience, cultivating the ordinariness of evil and the negation of our lives and rights as normal. And we have no morally compelling choice, as Nana Henry Highland Garnet urged us, except to let our motto and movement be “Resist! Resist! Resist!”

The summer soldiers that mobilized and amassed in such great numbers under the initiative of BLM have come and gone. And the brief summer has turned into a long winter of struggle, sacrifice and self-giving service to our people and only the serious and sincere remain. Thus, we, for whom the struggle for justice and liberation on a larger scale is a matter of life and death, cannot leave the battlefield except in our gravely mistaken minds. For the society brings the battlefield and their war against us to the streets, schools, supermarkets, churches, mosques, temples, and even our homes. This is the meaning of Nana Haji Malcolm’s teaching that “you and I are living in a country that is a battleline for all of us”.

And thus, we must be all-seasons soldiers, for until this wanton killing of Black people is decisively stopped, Nana Ella Baker teaches us “We who believe in freedom cannot rest”. Thus, our struggle was and remains not only to secure justice for Nana George Floyd and our people as a whole, but also to secure our liberation. For again, as Haji Malcolm teaches, without freedom we cannot achieve real justice. Indeed, freedom from an oppressive system is our larger and ongoing aim and struggle, regardless of the particular battlefield, we are compelled to fight on in our awesome march and movement towards full and final liberation. And this realization and reaffirmation in righteous and relentless struggle is at the heart of the moral imperative of remembrance and resistance deeply rooted in the lives, history and culture of our people.

Written by Dr. Maulana Karenga

Official website; https://www.maulanakarenga.org/

The language and personal engagement between fathers and children is important, it helps build vocabulary, builds confidence, self-acceptance, and encourages observation of the world and its great potentials. Children need to feel comfortable and confident when asking their parents questions, their opinions to understand they have value and their curiosity is encouraged. Mothers are not the only ones that build a bond with children, a father’s bond is just as important and significant.

Fathers should never doubt they are important and valuable in their children’s life. Never allow the media, nor anyone to demean a father’s importance and significance in their child’s life. As a father is influential in their children’s life they are also important
in their communities. Fathers are part of the creative process for life. The provide a foundation of confidence, self-awareness, self-value and motivation to move past self-imposed limitations.

The value of a fathers voice, presence, confidence, hugs, love, encouragement and inspiration can be seen in the successes of youth, teens and young adults as they grow into man and woman – hood. Sharing “The Alphabet of Fatherhood Can Be Awesome for 2022”

A. Fact – fathers spend about 45% playing while moms only spend 15-20%. They create a unique bonding and a rich relationship that fathers and children build between each other. It is totally different than a mother’s relationship.

B. Fathers should help in getting the kids ready for the day. Creating unique routines that kids look forward to. Children need to see the great potential of the day not just the gloom the see from the media. A father has the power to bring the brightness of the day into reality with imagination and creativity.

C. Fathers should learn about their child’s mental and emotional development so they better understand when to “teach” and “reinforce” certain skills, talents, abilities of their children. Playing catch, tying shoes, brushing teeth, and other things are a process that
is taught according to the developmentally able child. Children learn differently from their mothers and fathers so don’t compare your children to others, even their siblings.

D. Fathers should have time to read to, read with and listen to their children. Fathers can make reading time special. A storytelling trip for their children that build language development and stronger imaginations.

E. Fathers should make special trips to book stories, libraries, museums and parks. Make learning unique and fun adventures. Fathers can plan field trips virtually and build tents inside and pretend camping among other things.

F. Fathers need to know their children’s interests as they mature and grow. Learning as much as possible about their children. Stop the mindset that fathers are less important and less valuable.

G. Fathers should know what foods their kids like. What makes their mouths smile and their energies expand. Fathers take their children shopping as new adventures to the stores in the community. Make sure children communicate about their likes and dislikes.

H. Fathers need to be familiar with their children’s sleep patterns. Give mom a break and help to keep sleep time, nap time consistent. Everyone needs sleep and rest.

I. Fathers need to spend time with their newborns. A father’s smell, voice, skin, hugs need to be comforting to newborns. Just as newborns bond with moms, they also bond with
fathers.

J. Fathers need to understand that the first months of a newborn’s life are key to bonding. Fathers should plan ahead to take paternity leave, use vacation time or other options to stay home and help mom and child adjust to the new world. The first words of a toddler are
often dada not mama.

K. Fathers need to learn their child’s behaviors and their developing personality. What activities make the newborn, toddler or growing child laugh, happy, sad, scared, excited, etc. Connecting with your children carries throughout life.

L. Fathers need to be a part of the educational and developmental process of their children. A father’s influence in education can be key to success and growth not just athletically, but intellectually.

M. When the child is school aged fathers need to be there every step of the way. Teachers, administrators, and other school personnel need to know that children have two parents even if they are not in the same home. Be part of a learning ministry that teaches not doctrine, but the love of Christ and the love of giving, praising and studying the scriptures.

N. Children need to see their parents working, they need to see their parents communicating and being active. Too many times parents “hide” their emotions which causes confusion in children. Children learn how to collaborate, cooperate, lead, follow and enjoy others.

O. Fathers need to monitor television watching, video game playing, cell phone and other digital access. There are so many suggestions and innuendos that will cause confusion and doubt in girls and boys about their bodies, culture, skin care, height, weight and other physical attributes. Parents are the first line of knowledge that builds self-esteem, self-confidence and self-respect.

P. A father’s words can bring life and death to their children. Fathers should be careful what they say to their children and how they say it, even how they talk about their mother and other family members. The voice has power!!

Q. Fathers should be listeners first and fixers second. Fathers are instinctively fixers of problems for their children and families. The important part is fathers should listen first to get all the information needed and involve their children in the fixing process. Fathers take the opportunity to include their children if old enough to fix any problems that are teachable moments.

R. Dads should not be scared to “play” with their children. When the opportunity comes play is beneficial, it can build confidence, trust, love, respect and solidify a relationship. Fathers get your play on and relieve stress, anxiety and mental health.

S. “Know Thy Self” dads should know their maturity, their strengths and weaknesses. Understand what drives you and moves you. “Before you start raising children look at your foundation.” Nishan Nicks (Fresh World Ministries)

T. Communication is important between parents, moms and dads need to be open and honest when talking about parental responsibilities. They both must understand that their children are living and growing human beings and will develop their own personalities. They will not stay the same forever and time does fly by when you have children. The second child or more time flies by faster.

U. Fathers take care of “your” bodies, “your” minds and “your” spirit. You are responsible for more than yourself. Visit the doctors regularly and change your eating habits and late-night activities. Your health influences the health of your family.

V. Fathers plan for the future, plan for your future educational growth, future retirement, kid’s educational future, the growth of the family. Consider what is possible 5 to 10 years in the future. Money is not the only cause for a job or career changes. Support your spouses or partners desire to improve their education and career as well.

W. Plan vacations that are active and engaging. Be sure to plan destinations are kid friendly. Plan to make sure the trip is beneficial for your kids and the family not just you.

X. Treat your spouse or partner to some personal time. Allow them to grow outside of parenthood to refresh their spirit and mind just as you need time. Don’t grow stale or complacent.

Y. Don’t forget the grandparents in visits and trips, they can be a partnership and building blocks to mental, physical, emotional health and wellness.

Z. Be a parent, not a buddy. As your child grows so will you and you must modify your parenting discipline, language, expectations. There are no “perfect” parents. You will make mistakes. Just do your best and learn as you go.

Staff Writer; William D. Jackson 

Find out more about this talented writer over at; MyQuestToTeach.

The language and personal engagement between fathers and children is important, it helps build vocabulary, builds confidence, self-acceptance, and encourages observation of the world and its great potentials. Children need to feel comfortable and confident when asking their parents questions, their opinions to understand they have value and their curiosity is encouraged. Mothers are not the only ones that build a bond with children, a father’s bond is just as important and significant.

Fathers should never doubt they are important and valuable in their children’s life. Never allow the media, nor anyone to demean a father’s importance and significance in their child’s life. As a father is influential in their children’s life they are also important
in their communities. Fathers are part of the creative process for life. The provide a foundation of confidence, self-awareness, self-value and motivation to move past self-imposed limitations.

The value of a fathers voice, presence, confidence, hugs, love, encouragement and inspiration can be seen in the successes of youth, teens and young adults as they grow into man and woman – hood. Sharing “The Alphabet of Fatherhood Can Be Awesome for 2022”

A. Fact – fathers spend about 45% playing while moms only spend 15-20%. They create a unique bonding and a rich relationship that fathers and children build between each other. It is totally different than a mother’s relationship.

B. Fathers should help in getting the kids ready for the day. Creating unique routines that kids look forward to. Children need to see the great potential of the day not just the gloom the see from the media. A father has the power to bring the brightness of the day into reality with imagination and creativity.

C. Fathers should learn about their child’s mental and emotional development so they better understand when to “teach” and “reinforce” certain skills, talents, abilities of their children. Playing catch, tying shoes, brushing teeth, and other things are a process that
is taught according to the developmentally able child. Children learn differently from their mothers and fathers so don’t compare your children to others, even their siblings.

D. Fathers should have time to read to, read with and listen to their children. Fathers can make reading time special. A storytelling trip for their children that build language development and stronger imaginations.

E. Fathers should make special trips to book stories, libraries, museums and parks. Make learning unique and fun adventures. Fathers can plan field trips virtually and build tents inside and pretend camping among other things.

F. Fathers need to know their children’s interests as they mature and grow. Learning as much as possible about their children. Stop the mindset that fathers are less important and less valuable.

G. Fathers should know what foods their kids like. What makes their mouths smile and their energies expand. Fathers take their children shopping as new adventures to the stores in the community. Make sure children communicate about their likes and dislikes.

H. Fathers need to be familiar with their children’s sleep patterns. Give mom a break and help to keep sleep time, nap time consistent. Everyone needs sleep and rest.

I. Fathers need to spend time with their newborns. A father’s smell, voice, skin, hugs need to be comforting to newborns. Just as newborns bond with moms, they also bond with
fathers.

J. Fathers need to understand that the first months of a newborn’s life are key to bonding. Fathers should plan ahead to take paternity leave, use vacation time or other options to stay home and help mom and child adjust to the new world. The first words of a toddler are
often dada not mama.

K. Fathers need to learn their child’s behaviors and their developing personality. What activities make the newborn, toddler or growing child laugh, happy, sad, scared, excited, etc. Connecting with your children carries throughout life.

L. Fathers need to be a part of the educational and developmental process of their children. A father’s influence in education can be key to success and growth not just athletically, but intellectually.

M. When the child is school aged fathers need to be there every step of the way. Teachers, administrators, and other school personnel need to know that children have two parents even if they are not in the same home. Be part of a learning ministry that teaches not doctrine, but the love of Christ and the love of giving, praising and studying the scriptures.

N. Children need to see their parents working, they need to see their parents communicating and being active. Too many times parents “hide” their emotions which causes confusion in children. Children learn how to collaborate, cooperate, lead, follow and enjoy others.

O. Fathers need to monitor television watching, video game playing, cell phone and other digital access. There are so many suggestions and innuendos that will cause confusion and doubt in girls and boys about their bodies, culture, skin care, height, weight and other physical attributes. Parents are the first line of knowledge that builds self-esteem, self-confidence and self-respect.

P. A father’s words can bring life and death to their children. Fathers should be careful what they say to their children and how they say it, even how they talk about their mother and other family members. The voice has power!!

Q. Fathers should be listeners first and fixers second. Fathers are instinctively fixers of problems for their children and families. The important part is fathers should listen first to get all the information needed and involve their children in the fixing process. Fathers take the opportunity to include their children if old enough to fix any problems that are teachable moments.

R. Dads should not be scared to “play” with their children. When the opportunity comes play is beneficial, it can build confidence, trust, love, respect and solidify a relationship. Fathers get your play on and relieve stress, anxiety and mental health.

S. “Know Thy Self” dads should know their maturity, their strengths and weaknesses. Understand what drives you and moves you. “Before you start raising children look at your foundation.” Nishan Nicks (Fresh World Ministries)

T. Communication is important between parents, moms and dads need to be open and honest when talking about parental responsibilities. They both must understand that their children are living and growing human beings and will develop their own personalities. They will not stay the same forever and time does fly by when you have children. The second child or more time flies by faster.

U. Fathers take care of “your” bodies, “your” minds and “your” spirit. You are responsible for more than yourself. Visit the doctors regularly and change your eating habits and late-night activities. Your health influences the health of your family.

V. Fathers plan for the future, plan for your future educational growth, future retirement, kid’s educational future, the growth of the family. Consider what is possible 5 to 10 years in the future. Money is not the only cause for a job or career changes. Support your spouses or partners desire to improve their education and career as well.

W. Plan vacations that are active and engaging. Be sure to plan destinations are kid friendly. Plan to make sure the trip is beneficial for your kids and the family not just you.

X. Treat your spouse or partner to some personal time. Allow them to grow outside of parenthood to refresh their spirit and mind just as you need time. Don’t grow stale or complacent.

Y. Don’t forget the grandparents in visits and trips, they can be a partnership and building blocks to mental, physical, emotional health and wellness.

Z. Be a parent, not a buddy. As your child grows so will you and you must modify your parenting discipline, language, expectations. There are no “perfect” parents. You will make mistakes. Just do your best and learn as you go.

Staff Writer; William D. Jackson 

Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.

In this article we are going to look at the issues of duty, oath, federal law, supreme court decisions, departmental requirements, training, departmental protocols, police officer mindsets, DHS and FBI active shooter training. In doing so, much more of the facts regarding the police officer’s responsibility to the public will become clear.

POLICE OFFICERS DO NOT HAVE PROTECT CITIZENS (per the Supreme Court thus far)! So regardless of whatever position you want to take regarding the duty of a police officer, let’s look at the facts from Supreme Court rulings and federal regulations to start. In June of 2005 the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that police officers did NOT have a constitutional duty to protect a person from harm. The opinion was issued by Justice Scalia. In 2018 the students of Parkland filed a lawsuit against 6 defendants including now former Deputy Peterson (school resource officer), the campus monitor, the Broward County Sheriff’s office and even the Broward school district. But a federal judge’s ruling determined that “government agencies had no constitutional duty to protect students who were not in custody”. Such a ruling reinforced and clearly supported the 2005 Supreme Court ruling.

In both the court case Deshaney vs. Winnebago and Town of Castle Rock vs. Gonzales, the Supreme Court held in their ruling that police officers are not obligated to protect private citizens. In Warren vs. District of Columbia (1981) the Court of Appeals found ruled that police officers did not owe a specific duty to provide police services to private citizens. Some would argue that the Public Duty Doctrine, a tort law idea, established that a party has a “a duty to rescue” a person in danger of injury or death. And that the party can be held liable if he does not “rescue” or protect. But unfortunately that tort idea does not overrule the decision of the Supreme Court.

CITIZEN PROTECTION STARTS WITH SELF-DEFENSE, NOT WITH THE POLICE

So what about the “protect and serve” concept promoted by police departments all over the country. Sounds great but departmental ideologies and standards do not take priority over high court rulings. Therefore you could equate the police “protect and serve” concept with the medical doctor “do no harm” concept while medical doctors have done just that with deadly poison bio-toxins like chemotherapy and even doctor-assisted suicide. Wake up people.

Many of you would like to believe that a deputy or police officer charging in to engage an active shooter would instantly and automatically mean lives will be saved. But again you are looking from the outside in and that assumption is not necessarily true, though I wish it was always a fact. There are many variables such as the state of mind of the officer, his or her level of accuracy, his or her level of training and fitness, to name a few.

What about mental readiness? Since the requirement that all local law enforcement officers undergo psychological exams or screening annually is practically nonexistent, his or her state of mind can be an issue that could quite possible work against the officer charging in alone to engage a shooter. Not to mention the fact that far too many officers hardly ever practice firearm efficiency and competency until just before it is time to shoot to re-qualify. A very scary thought indeed.

THERE ARE NOT NEARLY ENOUGH OFFICERS TO EVEN BEGIN TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC

You have no idea how many officers have charged into a hostile situation, made a bad call and made things worse instead of better. In those cases the actions of the officers caused the loss of life. You see many of you have the idea that most certainly the officer charging in will make everything better because you believe that is his or her job. You believe he or she is adequately trained and prepared. But all training is not equal and some officers are just not prepared. So do you blame the officer, his department or the city or county  which allocates funds for training? Do you blame the state regulatory agency which mandates the minimum training for all officers? This issue is not a simple one.

As for fitness, there are far too many officers who should be at home or on the treadmill rather than in the field. Some are too old and others are out of shape. And you should know that all officers do not receive the same amount of training. I know for a fact that one city’s police department trains its officers for 6+ months while the deputies in the county surrounding that same city are only trained 10 weeks. And college campus police in many cases may receive less training than 10 weeks. Even police officers in small towns hardly receive enough training (or screening). Thus errors, fears, nerves and egos can easily complicate proficiency. But you will never hear police departments admit this because such truths would cause a massive decrease in public trust. And because I don’t want that to happen, I won’t say much more on that – but just know that I could.

So maybe some of you want to label a law enforcement officer who does not charge in alone to engage an active shooter as a coward. What would you do? You may think you would charge in but what if self preservation took over your thoughts and actions? Charge in like Captain America? Easier said than done. I know people who have said they would charge in to a situation but when the time came, they unintentionally froze. They even surprised or shocked themselves. Therefore until you walk a mile in the shoes of a local law enforcement officer all alone and faced with an active shooter scenario, be careful in saying what he should have done –  and what you would do.

Every sound-minded local uniformed law enforcement officer in this country has the same goal every single day – to go home at the end of the shift, no matter what. And if you think you would be any different, maybe or maybe not. Some of those who charge in to attack an active shooter are actually not thinking. They are running on ego, testosterone, adrenaline. Others are specially trained and confident they can neutralize the target. Others are poorly trained and know that engaging an active shooter alone could cause their own deaths. And yes they have to think about their families and their children too. Would you protect somebody else’s child if it meant yours might not have a parent? Hmmm.

In order to understand why officers do what they do and when, you also need to understand there are departmental protocols. Just as there is training from both the Dept. of Homeland Security and the FBI for officers regarding these type incidents. Then there are orders issued by supervisors who may not even be on the scene. And in the case of school resource officers, there are board of education protocols as well. So it is not as simple as saying “he should have run in and killed the bad guy so children would still be alive”. This is not a Die Hard movie and the average officer is a person who needed a job with benefits – not Bruce Willis. Therefore I have to ask you if your expectation of our officers is based on facts?

WHO SHOULD BE BLAMED? Let’s talk more about blame and use the Parkland, Florida school resource officer as an example. Do we also blame the school district for its policies, not placing cameras where needed and not locking the doors of the school? Do we blame the principal for not making sure someone watches the cameras in order to catch active shooters when they first enter? Do we blame the mental health system and social media companies like Face book for failing to identify and report people who fit the profile of active shooters? Do we blame the school boards for their policies which regulate school resource officers? Do  we blame students who see something wrong with a peer but say nothing to anyone about it? Do we blame parents who suspect their children are dangerous and unstable?

Do we blame school boards for failing to arm teachers or do we blame the legislators for that? And when it comes to arming teachers, know that there is a way to selectively and strategically arm a small percentage of them and make the school a whole lot safer at the same time. What if an officer is ordered to wait for backup or to stand down as was once common in hostage situations until hostage negotiators arrived? What if there is more than one shooter and the officer enters the building alone, unprepared to engage multiple perpetrators? Who do we blame then?

What if the active shooter takes hostages and the presence of the officer causes the shooter to panic and do even more damage? Of course what if they officer takes out the shooter and saves a great many lives? Excellent. But unfortunately that is only one possibility out of many.

Unfortunately (and sometimes fortunately) prosecutors take action because of public outcry. And because the families of the victims want to see someone pay besides the actual shooter, Parkland officials will likely try to make an example out of Peterson as a warning to other officers that they need to rush in and engage the shooter. But what will also happen is the number of people wanting to become school resource officers will decrease, count on it. This is not a simple issue. Be safe.

Staff Writer; Trevo Craw

1. Every rejection is a direction

It hurts when you offer a service or a product to a customer and they refuse to take it. It hits badly in the heart and mind. You may wonder, what’s wrong with your offering? You start analyzing what went wrong and a bunch of criticism leads you to say your offerings are not good enough.

If you look at such rejections from a different viewpoint, you will realize such incidents redirect you to something good, something more meaningful. Every time a client rejects your offer, they are teaching you a lesson and if you look into it with a positive attitude, you can ultimately make your offerings better.

When you start to see a rejection as an indication to reassess and improve, your perspective becomes clearer. Creating a negative image about your product or services is destructive, but sadly, most of the rejections lead people to do the same. It’s not the problem with people who reject your proposal, it’s because you’re still not convinced to reassess.

Remember, we all must keep checking if our beliefs and perceptions about an offering are serving us better or not. You can’t just keep things same even when they aren’t working. You have to fix them. You have to look at situations differently. Just learn to keep your inner critic calm and start looking for the blessings in disguise.

2. Get outside of your comfort zone

There are people who never face rejections and there are people who face rejection every time they reach a potential client. In both the cases, people are not looking for expansion. They are not taking chances and they are probably not making any changes. They are simply living inside their comfort zone.

When someone rejects your offer, look at it as they are telling you to go outside of your comfort zone, do better and then come back. There are chances that the changes you make will again bring rejection from your potential clients. But if you are making changes, if you are taking chances, the best thing about the situation is at least you are doing something after coming out of your comfort zone.

Remember when tech companies make big decisions, they put so many things at risk – investors’ money, customers’ expectations, their company’s sales and future. But smart business owners know that taking risks can help their offerings become better. It helps their customers and employees understand who they are and where things are going. Companies like IBM, Apple, Google, Amazon, Facebook, and many others were criticized when they made significant changes in their products and services. But we all know how smartly they managed to convince people that what’s happening is for a better future.

3. Get closer to your potential client

The most effective way to make sure that your potential clients will never reject your business proposal is by getting closer to them. If your hints, marketing messages, emails, and phone calls are not working, you need to ask for what they want. When you frame your words positively, it will amaze you how effective getting closer can be.

Here are 3 things you can do to get closer to your clients.

Know what they desire

When a client refuses or withdraws, take it as a sign to learn more about their desires. This might require some discussions with the person and the ability to listen carefully. There are so many ways to discover what they desire. For some people, meeting face to face is the only way to feel close and for some, having meaningful conversations is the way to feel closer to an offer.

Do not deny your willingness to do business with them

Remember, they are probably meeting many people like you, and showing your interest in grabbing the opportunity to associate with them is completely natural. Don’t try to appear like you’re checking things and don’t care about a rejection. Show them that you love working in that particular domain and you deeply care about whom you associate with. Accepting a business proposal from a supportive service provider who actually loves working is far more impressive and important than finding someone who has worked with big brands.

Make it easy

It is totally normal for your potential clients to have different needs. Sometimes your timing is off and probably your eagerness to hear a final decision may line up with their need for some space. Make it easy for them to ask questions, to know more, and take time to make a decision.

Keep in mind that trying to make everyone wear the same hat may not always help, but coming out of your comfort zone, getting closer to your client, and making efforts will surely get you what you want.

Staff Writer; Corey Shaw

Have any Tech Tips? News? Hit up our Tech Guru at; CoreyS@ThyBlackMan.com