Images

Photographs that Challenge the Stereotype of the Absent Black Father

by  •  • 0 Comments

If you trust the image painted by popular culture and the media at large, it’s easy to come to the assumption that African-American fatherhood is something of an oxymoron. The stereotype depicts black fathers as universally absent, uncaring or otherwise uninvolved.

But as with most stereotypes, it misses the mark. And photographer Zun Lee‘s powerful new book “Father Figure: Exploring Alternate Notions of Black FatherhoodZun Lee” seeks to show the other side of the coin and challenge this generalization.

The inspiration behind the Father Figure series and now book comes from Lee’s own broken past. Not long ago, he discovered that his biological father was a black man with whom his mother had had a brief affair, and this revelation made him question how his life might have been different if his black father had stayed.

Read more HERE

Daddy’s Girl

by  •  • 0 Comments

 

026_23

10:10AM Jan 21, 2003 – The doctor and his crew yelled out “OH MY GOD!!” We wondered what was wrong. Was she born with two heads? Does she have webbed feet? Is she dead?

Nope. Sahaar was 9 pounds 11 ounces. A BIG baby.

11 years later, I still say OMG.

Fatherhood has changed my life for the better and I am thankful for two beautiful children. The truth is, when a couple finally gives birth to a boy or a girl, they are not having a “baby.” They are creating a human being. Kids grow fast. They really do.

I sacrificed a lot to be with both of my kids during the day and not miss out on the most important parts of their young childhood. No regrets at all. I also don’t regret fighting a court system hell-bent on breaking my family into pieces during my divorce. I’m so glad I fought…and WON.

I think I only have a year or two left with my daughter before the hormone rush kicks in and she won’t want to have anything to do with me. It’s ok. I get it. I didn’t miss a thing over the past 11 years.

I can’t wait to see her again when she comes back around after her teenage years and wants to hang with her dad again in her 20’s – LOL. I have a feeling that there is a good enough foundation for here to make good decisions.