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Features
‘Father2Son Crucial Conversations’ Commemorate Father’s Day
Youth Group to Celebrate Father’s Day Weekend with Panel Discussion
Empowering Local Males
Brothers United Building Brothers Alliance (B. U. B. B. A) is hosting Father2Son: Crucial Conversations, a 3-part series on the father/son relationship and its impact on our communities.
Part 3, “What Now,” will take place on Saturday, June 18, 10:30 a .m. at Hillsbor- ough Community College’s Ybor City Campus. BUBBA founder JaLem Robinson, USF grad and Progress Village native, says it is not only im- perative that our young men have positive male figures in their lives, but those that will challenge them to be better men.
“They need positive male figures that will teach them that it’s okay to have dreams, goals and visions.” Robinson added, “We have to show our young men the power of en- trepreneurship, education and
JALEM ROBINSON ...Founder of BUBBA
excellence. We are at a point where we have to take control and responsibility for what is ours.”
This series aims to provide a space for participants to speak up and have the tough conversations surrounding our boys and men, while ad- dressing the social, psycholog-
ical and emotional issues faced by the African American men in our community.
The “What Now” event will include a resource fair with lunch and panel discus- sion with guests including au- thors and inspirational speakers such as Jay Lee, Keith Babb, Gary Hart- field and more. The panel will be moderated by James Cole of WTMP's The Cole and the Cure.
For more information on B.U.B.B.A. and the Crucial Conversations event, please visit www.bubbaof- tampa.org.
Robinson explains, “Brothers United Building Brothers Alliance (B. U. B. B. A.) is an organization dedi- cated to improving the lives of men of color. We believe that the key to building our young men is to make sure they are an active participant in their growth. We do this by engag- ing, educating and empower- ing them along the way.”
Has The Role Of The Father Changed?
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
For generations, the fa- ther’s role was viewed prima- rily as the provider for the family. He was looked upon for stability and being the glue that held everything together.
Over time, the father’s role changed, due in part to women becoming more liberated, and taking a more assertive role in the household.
So, how has the father’s role changed in the household? A few fathers were asked, and this is how they responded.
and he was well respected by all of us, and other kids as well. Now, the kids rule the home and the father really doesn’t have a role. That’s also due to the mother not caring if the fa- ther stays or leaves.”
PETE EDWARDS
“Among the under 23 age group, the father’s role has changed signifi- cantly,” said Pete Ed- wards.
“Society has changed and now parents have more pres- sure on them to rise to the ex- pectations of their children. This is being done through ad- vertisements and technology.
“Fathering now means we have to readapt to deal with the consumer culture. It’s a diffi- cult task for other parents and for the father, his role has been downplayed to where the mother feels they really need them around.”
“Some mothers have used their girlfriends to supplement the father. The young men are being used to father the chil- dren and that’s it. They aren’t expected to play an active role in the actual upbringing of the child.”
Edwards said that age de- mographic has changed the re- lationship picture.
“I’m very old school, and I believe the father is al- ways supposed to be the provider.”
Former
NFL and
Tampa Bay Buccaneer quarter- back, Parnell Dickinson said, the father has more re- sponsibilities now because of the worry addition.
“Our parents didn’t worry about our associates because they taught us honor, respect and discipline. Now, the state tells you how to raise your chil- dren.
“I grew up in a big family. There were 9 of us and my fa- ther laid the law down early
Heem Baisden said, it is the father who changed his role in the household.
“It started with young
HEEM BAISDEN
Former radio talk show host, Otis An- thony, said fathers should love and re- spect their children.
OTIS ANTHONY
PARNELL DICKINSON
fathers who were fathering children, but not being their dad, to older fathers adapting that same philosophy.
“Today’s fathers think they don’t need to be a part of the household, and never really bond with their children. This should be obvious with all the domestic violence arrests that have involved children. Fa- ther’s just feel they don’t have the time to be a part of their children’s lives, and leave it all up to the mother.”
All three men agree that the father’s role in the home has been impacted by economics, and a criminal justice system that would rather see them in- carcerated than playing an ac- tive role in the lives of their children.
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A