We constantly hear the statistics or stories about black men who abandon their children, but what about the tons of fathers who don't?Well DAUGHTERS OF MEN: PORTRAITS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN AND THEIR FATHERS (Amistad/HarperCollins, October 30) is a tribute to those men that stood by their girls and helped to make them the successes they are today. In the coffee-table book, filled with beautiful photographs of both father and daughter, author Rachel Vassel includes stories from a diverse collection of women--CEOs, actresses, educators, journalists, and musicians. And many of the names and faces you'll recognize like Yolanda Adams, Beyoncé, Cathy Hughes, Mary Mary, Rene Syler, Tisha Campbell-Martin, and Tracey Edmonds. These woman share remarkable stories about the love and support of their fathers.
You'll hear from Cathy Hughes about the fact that when she was sixteen and pregnant, it was her father who told her, "You know, this could very well be the turning point in your life. You don't know who God is going to bless you with...You just need to make the best of the situation." Today, Hughes' son is the president and CEO of her multimillion-dollar corporation, Radio-One.
What's interesting is that Vassel, the author, didn't grow up with her father. In fact, while exploring the power of the paternal bond for the makings of this book, she sought to rebuild her relationship with her own father and simultaneously recognized that she was surrounded by strong male role models including her grandfather and brothers.
In the introduction, Vassel, who held a career in corporate America before pursuing a creative one, writes, "The most important thing I noticed during this project was that there are many paths to great fatherhood. Each of the fathers profiled in this book had a unique style of parenting, yet they were all successful parents. What they have in common is a strong dedication to their daughters. Upon reflecting on her father's sacrifices, one woman I interviewed said in tears, "Fatherhood is free." I immediately understood what she was trying to convey. She meant that no matter what his financial circumstances may be, any man can be a great father if he puts in the time."
I don't have much more to say about this book, but, buy it! Buy it for yourself. For your daughter. For your father. For your brother. For your son. For a friend. DAUGHTERS OF MEN is a powerful testament to the importance of black fathers.
Comments: (121)
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By: Lorraine Elijah Brown on 10/24/2007 10:33AM
Now, this is Black Love and it looks beautiful. Thank you Jesus!!!! A find of love YOU can't touch it, only look at it. The blessing stays within the family.
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By: Andrea on 10/24/2007 10:58AM
It makes my heart glad to see a book published about
Black fathers that have contributed to the success of their daughters. We need more fathers like the men highlighted in this book.
Andrea, creator of Your Feet Make You Unique, http://www.yourfeetmakeyouunique.com. Written by an African American woman with large size feet created especially for every woman who wears sizes 10 and up.
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By: don on 10/24/2007 10:59AM
That's right, an African King and African Queen. You can't touch that!!!
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By: linda aka lindalu aka lindy aka linne* on 10/24/2007 3:41PM
OH MY !
What a wonderful idea !
I definitely will buy this book.
And, to the MANY strong black Fathers,
Kudos to you.
You ARE truly Kings.
peace n' blessings
from a Queen
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By: Harry on 10/24/2007 3:49PM
This is one book I must read and probably will read over and over again. Just when you thought that the there are "no good Black males/fathers syndrome" had killed them all off; a ray of sunlit adorable and endearing lit pops onto the scene to let us all know the good indepensible Black man/parent does exist. He exists If we would only look for him; but then that terrific Black father is probably too busy busting his butt and getting to his daugter's violin practice, soccor games or chaperoning her at Friday nights' dance gigs. And there is Mom behind it all beaming so damned proud of them all. Bravo, bravo Black men of America how magnificent. Signed a man called Harry
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By: JC on 10/24/2007 4:54PM
It's About Time! Finally, Sunshine Breaks Through The Clouds Of Gloom Over Black Males!
Instantly Turn your Computer into a Super TV!
http://www.television-on-internet.com/
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By: MRS.BEA on 10/25/2007 10:44AM
THATS THE BEST NEWS I'VE READ IN YEARS!! SOME ONESHOULD HAVE SAID THAT A LONG TIME AGO!! MY MAN IS A WOUNDERFUL DAD TO HIS 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER! KEEP UP THE GOOD JOB, DADDIES! THERE R SOME REAL DADS OUT THERE!
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By: mack luton on 10/25/2007 5:57AM
Bless It! Finally A Book And Some Recognition To Today's Black Fathers. Yes We Exist, Induring All The Negatives and Stereotypes. May Your Next Book Expose The Court System And Family Laws That Are Anti-Father.
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By: Q on 10/25/2007 1:45AM
While I applaud the concept of this book, and I'll probably read it, I must say I don't understand giving props to men who do what they are SUPPOSE to do. It's truly sad that because there are so many men who do not take care of their kids, that for the ones that do, they are to be given props. It should be a given that once you have a child, the child comes first. Just as much as mothers do for the children, fathers should be doing and be glad to do it. The props should come from the kids when they get older and become productive members of society. When you can look at your child prosper and grow and know you had a hand in it....that's the true props.
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By: Cecil Jones on 10/25/2007 4:02AM
Is doing the right thing simply a matter of pride? How many of those fathers that run away aren't proud of what they did? How many of these mothers aren't proud of the fact that they put themselves in a situation that left them vulnerable because they didn't care enough about themselves to use birth control or demand he use protection? How many of them are not proud of each other and that's why we see them on Springer talking about how scanky they both are? Yes, I believe it is just a matter of pride and prejudice. We take sides in blaming the opposite sex for a problem that sex created. It strips us of pride.
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