ICON MANN

Father's Day

ICON MANN
Father's Day

“Whether you’re married or fighting every day to be a part of your child’s life…I salute you!” 

Dear Family,

In honor of Father's Day 2019, we are turning the forum over to a dynamic father, AARON PAXTON ARNOLD (Founder of MusicIsMyBusiness), with a message on behalf of his brothers. Paxton has made it his mission to address and dispel the false narratives around black fatherhood. His message is personal, affirming, and pushes culture forward, “If we don't show and share positive stories about black fathers, then the ugliness of institutional racism will prevail,” he says. ICON MANN approves this message and salutes all the dynamic fathers loving and raising future Kings and Queens.

Tamara N. Houston, Founder & E.I.C

 
 

AaronVsBlackFathers (episode 5 | Aaron Vs __)

In 2015, I wrote an article for CNN.com, “Dispelling the myths about black fathers" and in 2017, I wrote an Essence.com piece "Reflections On Raising A Young Black Woman" which was an ode to my daughter. In America, the perception is that we, as black fathers, don't exist. Negative stereotypes of black men persist in our community and outside. But if we look at the ground level, ACTIVE black fathers are all around us. If you visit my daughter's school, you will see black fathers and husbands actively involved. 

In 2015, I wrote an article for CNN.com, “Dispelling the myths about black fathers" and in 2017, I wrote an Essence.com piece "Reflections On Raising A Young Black Woman" which was an ode to my daughter. In America, the perception is that we, as black fathers, don't exist. Negative stereotypes of black men persist in our community and outside. But if we look at the ground level, ACTIVE black fathers are all around us. If you visit my daughter's school, you will see black fathers and husbands actively involved. 

 

In 2015, I wrote an article for CNN.com, “Dispelling the myths about black fathers" and in 2017, I wrote an Essence.com piece "Reflections On Raising A Young Black Woman" which was an ode to my daughter. In America, the perception is that we, as black fathers, don't exist. Negative stereotypes of black men persist in our community and outside. But if we look at the ground level, ACTIVE black fathers are all around us. If you visit my daughter's school, you will see black fathers and husbands actively involved.  

It dispels the myths and negative statements that are often expressed in and out of our community, like "there are no good black men," "black men don't take care of their kids," or "black men abandon their families." And while the narrative of Black men/fathers has gotten better...it's still a narrative that isn't shown or promoted enough. It's an oversight that appears to prevent the constructive narrative from bringing changes to our communities. And Institutional racism continues to counter those images with negativity and perpetuating an idea that WE as African-American men are no good, especially as fathers.

But there is another narrative countering this by showing the positive picture. In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cited that Black Fathers with

  • Children under the age 5: prepared and/or ate meals more with their children vs their white and Hispanic counterparts

  • Children 5-18: took their children to and from activities daily more compared to their white and Hispanic counterparts

  • Children 5-18: helped their kids with homework more than their white and Hispanic counterparts

Positive energy begets positive results. And if positive trends like this can help dispel the myths of black fathers as irresponsible, then young African-Americans will know (whether they have a father in their life or not) that they can prove the myth wrong. 

If this positive narrative is shown more, maybe and just maybe, those outside (and within) the African-American community will look at black men as human beings and not as criminals. Maybe the police, retail establishments, corporate America, and our judicial system will then stop racially profiling black men. It sounds naive and far-fetched, but one thing is for sure: if we don't show and share positive stories about black fathers, then the ugliness of institutional racism will prevail.

 
 

To all the Dads, my Dad… especially, Black Dads…I SALUTE YOU. Whether you’re married or fighting every day to be a part of your child’s life…I salute you! Keep pushing, keep fighting, I APPRECIATE YOU.   

Aaron Paxton Arnold, Media Contributor and founder of MusicIsMyBusiness. Follow him on Twitter: @MrMIMB IG: @mrmusicismybusiness or goto https://aaronpaxtonarnold.com