Million Father March Endorsed by Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory

I am pleased to learn that Cincinnati mayor Mark Mallory is calling on fathers to drop their children off at school on the first day as part of a nationwide initiative: the Million Father March. He has also asked elected officials to visit a local school on the morning of August 16th, which is the first day of classes for Cincinnati Public Schools. Mayor Mallory will be attending his alma mater, Woodward Career and Technical High School.

"This is a great way to get fathers involved in their child's education. There is a strong connection between attending school on the first day, active involvement by a father, and high student achievement. That is why I am asking all local fathers to participate by dropping their children off at school on the first day," Mayor Mark Mallory said.

The Million Father March was founded by the Black Star Project, a Chicago nonprofit organization. Ten Chicago fathers organized the first March in 1996, and it has grown to a nationwide initiative. Last year, 800,000 men in 500 cities nationwide participated in the Million Father March by dropping their children off at school on the first day. This year the Million Father March predicts that 1,000,000 fathers will participate.

Mayor Mallory hopes that Cincinnati will help The Million Father March reach their national 1,000,000 father goal. All local fathers, mentors, brothers, uncles, and any important figures in a child's life are encouraged to be a part of this initiative by dropping their children off at school on the first day.

I hope that all villagers with children still in public schools will participate in this effort regardless of where you might live. What say u?

Do Children Really Need Fathers?

I went to college in Riverside CA. I never thought of it as a center of Black political activism at the time. So imagine my surprise to learn that a group of African American men have been hitting the streets looking for positive and proactive ways to improve our community. One of their projects is the annual Million Father March:

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MILLION FATHER MARCH
Don't Blame It On The Alcohol

When it comes to the lack of paternal involvement, who should we blame?

I say, "Don't blame it on the schools, prisons or alcohol." But, rather place the blame right where it fits. Squarely on the shoulders of fathers.

As the Million Father March gets underway across America, I am confident there will be excuses. Some will say, "I have other commitments." While, others will claim "I'm doing my part as a father so I don't need to go." And, then there are those who will dodge the invitation all together. To the former I say, "Understandbly so, however, tell ten and let them tell ten." To those involved I say, "If you're doing your part, then come share with those that need to know what you know - if not you, who?" And, to the latter I say and pray, "Read on, there is hope for you."

Like I said, "Don't blame it on the schools, prisons or alcohol." When a child is let loose on the streets, confused with anger and kills the innocent, who is to blame? When a child fails in school because no one feels the need to help, who is to blame? When a child runs away to escape the hurt and pain at home, who is to blame?

Fatherhood Is NOT a Coward's Business!
It is the business of handling one's business. It is about taking time out to know your child(ren) when they don't know themselves. It's about poppin' that colla' and saying "I got this" and getting to the streets to do whatever it takes (legally) to provide for your child. It's about saying "My child is the most important headline of my day" and sharing that news with others.

So I say, "Don't blame it on the schools, prisons or alcohol." You either got game, or you don't! And, if you do, bring it to the march. And, if you don't, bring it to the march. Because, either way we got something for you.

When the day is done and the march has gone, ask yourself, "Will my legacy live on?" Will I have stood shoulder to shoulder with other fathers who fought to put purpose in their seeds. Or, will I make excuses, coward down and blame society for what she did to me. Now, that I laid pipe, hyped, no gripe off the chain wild, guess it's time to turn over the reins and let another man raise my child.

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Villagers, what say u?

Million Father March

Villagers, I'm walking my son to school this morning. It is my commitment to support the Million Father March.

A father who actively participates in the educational and social development of a child's life is invaluable and irreplaceable. I'm told that children whose fathers take active roles in their educational lives earn better grades, get better test scores, enjoy school more and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college.

Methinks that children have fewer behavior problems when fathers speak and listen to their children regularly and are active in their lives.

Even if there is a divorce or out-of-wedlock situations ... a good father should be part of a good parent team to create a strong family structure for the child(ren). After all, strong family structures produce children who are more centered, academically proficient, socially developed and are a valuable asset to their communities.

Basically, it seems that better parents produce better communities, better schools and better students.

For these reasons, I'm walking my son to school tomorrow morning.