6 Dads On What Black Fatherhood Means In The Age Of #BlackLivesMatter

“As a black man raising two multiracial girls, I strive to teach them to be confident and strong. But what happens when Daddy isn’t always confident and strong? I’m a public speaker, fatherhood activist, published author, and television personality - and I’ve never been in trouble with the law; however, the harsh reality is if I’m ever stopped by the police for any reason, I will experience an inordinate amount of fear. Fear that I could be harmed, beaten, or killed. Here’s a fact: as a black man, I’m automatically viewed as a threat due to my skin color. Sometimes I wish I could walk into a nice boutique wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt, but I know I’ll be followed — so I break out the slacks, collared shirt, and prescription eye glasses and suddenly I’m left alone. Sometimes I find myself singing ‘Frozen’ songs if I’m passing someone on the sidewalk in an effort to say, “Hey, I have kids. I’m not a threat to you.” I also wish I wouldn’t completely tense up when a police officer walks or drives by me. I hope and dream that my girls will grow up in a more tolerant and accepting world than the one we live in now. I fear that if we continue to focus on our differences instead of our similarities, the problem will only become worse. We can do better. The lives of our children hangs in the balance.”