Tag: #MoorBrothers

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In Honor Of My Father

(excerpt from the book Man-U-Script)

Oliver Ratney

by Oliver R. Ratney: My father showed me that a man who is dedicated to the well being of his children exemplifies an authentic characteristic of manhood. He showed me that a man is one who is present in the lives of his children.

My dad was a hardworking dedicated man. He held down a couple of jobs, in addition to being a single father for most of my formative years. He made sure that he provided for the family. (I get my work ethic from him.) He was intentional about creating memorable experiences with and for us. I can say without hesitation that I enjoyed my childhood with him.

He took us to different places to see different things. He’d take me to the Cubs and White Sox games, and to football games. We went to basketball games, to auto shows, and all that kind of stuff. I do the same with my kids, to show them that there’s more to life than being glued to a computer.

There was no one like him. My father had a presence that commanded respect, one that made you straighten up quick. He wasn’t super strict, but he meant business. When I did wrong, I paid the price. For the most part and because of him, I was wise enough not to chase trouble or bow to peer pressure. I knew what he could do, and I didn’t want to incur the wrath. Like I said, he was a presence. He was more of a threat than the gang. If I even thought to entertain gang life, I’d have been more afraid of dealing with him than with anyone out in the street. And, without too many words, he made sure I knew it.

My dad’s primary focus was to make sure that we were provided for – food, clothing, roof over our heads, and positive experiences. He wasn’t always involved as I would have liked, but he was the pillar of strength, the stability and the father that we needed. More importantly, we knew he loved us.

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Raising Young Men Is A Progressive Work

Post by Adofa Williams, Trinidad & Tobago
I can relate to single women raising a child who will eventually grow up to be a man. I come from a single parent home where my mother tried her best to raise my sister and I in the right way. I have seen my mother cry and laugh. Growing up we had very little to nothing. Many times over mom made sure that we ate, while leaving herself undone – with only faith in the Lord holding her together. I can go on and on about all the sacrifices my mother made. Her sacrifices and all that she did made me the man I am today, for which I am thankful.

Photo by Muhammadtaha Ibrahim Ma’aji from Pexels

I am a single parent with kids of my own. I learned from my own life experiences and from the guys I grew up with. Along the way I picked up some real life teachable moments that have helped me to raise my young sons into men. Having experienced what I went through growing up, I worked hard to keep my kids from going through those same things. Today I can proudly say that I am happy that my sons didn’t have to get involved in or do some of the things that I did. Believe me, I have done some real irresponsible things.

I believe that men who grow up with only female leadership can do both harm and good. A mother can teach young men but so much. A critical part of what she teaches a son is how to relate to a woman’s needs and how to comfort her. With all the good a mother does, a man is needed in a boy’s life to give him structure. It’s not that a woman can’t do the same, but women are nurturers by nature and men are constructive protectors. I must admit I’m still learning, as I didn’t have a real father figure to teach me how to be a man. Raising young men is a progressive work. I continue to instill in my sons the necessary wisdom, so they will understand how to treat and interact with women. Through it all, there’s nothing like a praying mother.

You ask how will you know you’ve done a good job as a parent, It’s when you see your children grow up and reciprocate the love you gave them back to you and to their new family.

Being a parent is a never ending job.

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What does it mean to be a man?

Daddy’s and Granddaddy’s LEAD

B’resheet (Genesis)  1:27 So God created humankind in his own image; in the image of God he created him: male and female he created them.

My brothers, please tell me – what exactly is a man? No really – I want to know your definition of manhood. I’m sure I can get a myriad of responses from the sisters. You know us. Women can have either a romanticized version of what we think a man is and how he should be, or we often embrace a broke-down image of masculinity, and some will go as far as to define manhood by a counterfeit. I’m not looking for all that this go ‘round. So sisters, hold your peace. I’m asking the brothers because I need some straight talk from a man. I’m asking you, my brothers, because nobody knows like you do what living life as a man, specifically a Black man, is like and what it should be, according to God’s design.

Another thing – what’s your story? What’s it like being a Black man in America?  I want to hear your story because I’m as concerned for your wellbeing as a mother is for her child. Know this, that in no way am I inferring that you are a child. I simply make this comparison to confer the depth of my love. I don’t want to see any harm come to you, and I grieve beyond words when you die before the realization of your dreams. I’m your sister who sees the attack on your manhood, sometimes even before you do. I see the hit, and I do whatever I can to keep you from being struck down. I’m your mother, your wife, your daughter, your sister, your auntie, your niece, your cousin, your best friend. I’m not just an inquiring mind. I’m the woman who needs to know.   100! If you know you’re not correct or if you’re uncertain of what and how a man should be, just listen up and learn. Please, please DON’T answer.