dad

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
Jun 16 2011

In some traditions he is powerful but not perfect

Father’s Day is almost here and it is time that many around the nation pay homage to those whom we often forget played a part in the creation process.

In many religions, God is the epitome of the father. In fact, he is the first father, according to many traditions. But many religions present an interesting twist on the father.

John Miller, author of “Calling God ‘Father’” compares and contrasts the characteristics of the father in Christianity, Eastern and African traditions.

Erich C. Nall  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Oct 14 2010

An Ultimate Transformation Moment

My dad was my first coach, and he taught me how to compete. He taught me how to push myself to my maximum limit. He would say, “Push yourself to your limit and then push some more.”

I didn’t understand until I was older that he was teaching me the concept and characteristics of excellence.

Jun 17 2010

A century of celebrating and honoring dads

This year is the 100th anniversary of Father’s Day. Juneteenth, the day African Americans commemorate the Emancipation Proclamation which ended slavery in the United States of America, was also the day fathers were first recognized in this country.

On June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington, the daughter of William Smart, a Civil War veteran, decided she wanted to do something to honor her father who had raised six children.
 

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

California
San Diego college students and volunteers will carry out their sixth home restoration project on Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14. as part of the “Healing our Heroes’ Homes” (H3) program created by the nonprofit Embrace. The five-day effort will take place at the home of medically retired Marine Corps Capt. Sarah Bettencourt. Bettencourt served with many different units across the country during the Global War on Terrorism and developed a rare neurological disorder in 2008. With a focus to restore the homes of disabled veteran homeowners, H3 falls in line with Embrace’s mission to mobilize college-student volunteers and community members to serve less fortunate members of civilian and veteran communities. The project for the Bettencourts’ home includes kitchen and bathroom remodeling, building ADA-compliant disability ramps, widening their driveway to ADA standards, widening doorways and landscaping.
 
District of Columbia
The 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will showcase its five-year community research project on African American identity with the program “The Will to Adorn: African American Diversity, Style, and Identity.” This multicity collaboration examines the history and culture of the aesthetics of African Americans. The festival will be held June 26-30 and July 3-7, outdoors on the National Mall between Seventh and 14th streets. “Whether we realize it or not, we are all dress artists. The way we compose our look is a creative expression of our ideas about who we are and who we aspire to be,” said Diana N’Diaye, program curator. “This program explores the diversity of African American traditions of style, but also teaches young people the importance of documenting their own culture and saving that information for themselves and future generations.”