Community

OP-ED: Fathers Must Man-up

Published

9 years ago

June 5, 2015

By Richard Wembe Johnson, Folsom Prison

Having never had the influence or semblance of a father figure in the household as a youth, I like many others would seek out other sources of fatherly impressions.

Most often these impressions usually fell short in terms of being productive in regard to actually helping rather than hurting.

These sources that youth tend to relate and turn to are usually self serving and exploitative.

As we approach another Father’s Day, we must be mindful of what being a true father entails when it comes to the future of our children, because not all sources and impressions are negative replacements. Yet allowing any negativity to offset a child can cause that youth irreparable damage.

Fathers are equally as important as mothers for it is fathers that sons look to in times of indecision and confusion about becoming a man.

I believe that mothers usually can only provide so much guidance in respects to boys becoming full-fledged men. And I believe that a man can’t fully guide a girl into womanhood. Only an informed woman can accomplish it.

This equally applies to a woman pertaining to boys.

I believe that nothing can truly replace the essence of a real dedicated fatherly man. Fathers won’t necessarily ensure that the youth won’t go astray. What a father of substance would do is give that youth the necessary supervision and direction to help the child strive for greatness.

Practically any male who is physically capable can produce an off –spring. However, not just any male can raise a child correctly.

Fathers aren’t without fault.

They make mistakes, blunders, and at times will be uncertain about things. The key is to learn from each and every error to prevent repeating those errors in the future.

This type of on-the-job training makes the father better, stronger and more confident in his role as a provider, advisor and protector.

There is no greater joy than having children, aside from raising them into adulthood, as loving, caring, intelligent human beings ready for the pressures in life that undoubtedly will cross their paths.

Fatherhood is infinite, and the challenges of being a good father remain the supreme task for every father. Fathers must man-up and become the type of father that is mandated of him.

Males are plentiful, but we also need plenty of men being good fathers to their children, or real stand-ins for F.M.I.A (Fathers Missing in Action).

Let’s upgrade the availability of good fathers, not reduce it on yet another Father’s Day.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

4 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.