Today, I want to speak directly to you—the children of fathers. Maybe you’re a teenager, or maybe you’re in your twenties, still figuring out life, still piecing together the meaning of fatherhood. Let’s take a moment to think about what it truly means to be a father—not just a provider of DNA but someone who shapes, protects, and nurtures.  

I had an absentee father. He wasn’t there to support my mother or guide me. That absence shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand until much later. I began to reverse-engineer him—to think about what he failed to do and what I could do differently. It’s made me reflect deeply on fatherhood, and I want to share some thoughts with you today.  

A Salute to Real Fathers 

Let’s take a moment to honor the real fathers. Not sperm donors, but fathers. Men who were there for their children, who stayed, who sacrificed, who showed up when it mattered most. These are the men who deserve our gratitude today.  

Fatherhood isn’t about perfection. It’s not about always having the answers. It’s about love, effort, and showing up—even when it’s hard, even when the world feels like it’s against you.  

The Stories of Absence 

But we also need to talk about the fathers who weren’t there. Not to shame them, but to understand. Sometimes, absence has a story.  

– There are fathers who fled their countries in the middle of the night, hoping to prepare a better life for their families, only to find it wasn’t as easy as they thought.  

– There are young fathers—teenagers—who weren’t ready, who lacked the resources, the knowledge, or the support to step up.  

– There are fathers forced out by systemic barriers—government policies that made them feel like their families would be better off without them because they couldn’t provide.  

– There are men caught in the charisma of leaders, entertainers, or movements that pulled them away from their responsibilities.  

And yes, there are men who simply made poor choices, who let fear, shame, or immaturity dictate their actions. They left, and their absence left scars.  

But here’s something to think about—you exist because of them. Maybe that’s the only thing they gave you, but it’s not insignificant. You’re here, alive, with the chance to write your own story, to break cycles, to make better choices.  

Fathering Takes Many Forms  

Sometimes, fathering doesn’t come from a biological parent. Fathering can come from a community. It might have been your mother who played both roles. It might have been a coach, a teacher, a mentor, a neighbor, or even a church or community organization that gave you the love, security, and guidance you needed.  

Fathers come in many forms, and their stories are just as diverse. To truly understand fatherhood, we need to hear all these stories—the good, the bad, and the complicated. Only then can we prepare future generations to make better choices, to understand the weight of fatherhood, and to embrace it with open hearts.  

A Challenge to Reflect 

So, I challenge you to think about your own father. Maybe he was there, and maybe he wasn’t. Maybe you’re grateful, or maybe you’re angry. Whatever your feelings, use them. Let them guide you in understanding what kind of person you want to be.  

And if you ever become a father yourself, remember that fatherhood isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up, even when it’s hard. It’s about making the choice to love, to care, and to try, every single day.  

Final Thoughts 

To all the fathers who stayed, who sacrificed, who loved unconditionally—thank you. To the fathers who left, for whatever reason—your absence has shaped lives, too, and those stories matter. And to the children of fathers, I hope this message sparks reflection, conversation, and ultimately, growth.  

Fatherhood is complex, but it’s also one of the most powerful forces in the world. Let’s honor it, question it, and strive to understand it—so that future generations can do it better.  

Happy Father’s Day

In a time when division and distrust often seem to dominate headlines, efforts to build bridges between marginalized communities stand as a beacon of hope. As a Black man committed to social and political justice I believe that the strength of our democracy lies in standing together to protect the most vulnerable among us. This belief has driven my outreach efforts, inspired by community action in Minneapolis and fueled by the desire to protect and empower diverse populations in my hometown of Spokane, Washington.

In 2026 something extraordinary happened in Minneapolis. ICE officers, Border Patrol agents, and unidentified individuals—some wearing masks and clothing without identification—were detaining people on the streets without justification. Such systemic injustices are not new but this time, the community took action. Local residents blew whistles to alert others, brought cameras to bear witness, and exposed the truth through videos that dismantled the government’s narrative. This grassroots organizing reminds us of the power of collective action – let’s bring that same spirit of solidarity to Spokane.

As a Black man, I know the pain of marginalization, and I know that the fight for justice is not won alone. My outreach to the Latino community is just one example of what is possible when we reach across divides and unite for a common cause. Together, we can create a fabric of solidarity that resists fear, empowers the vulnerable, and builds a safer, more inclusive society.

A Call to Action: Standing Together for Justice

To my fellow marginalized communities: let us continue to find strength in our shared experiences and work together to ensure that all voices are heard, all lives are valued, and no one is left behind. The road ahead requires courage, compassion, and collaboration—but I believe in the power of our communities to rise to the challenge.

Let’s Become Whistle Blowers

Full La Prensa Article:

https://4comculture.com/building-bridges-between-marginalized-groups-for-justice-and-safety

Ann Marie Danimus engages with a man about abortion prior to U>S> Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s speedh at a Kootenai County GOP dinner in downtown Coeur d’Alene. 2022

The marchers are asking a fundamental question: How do we preserve democracy when so many of our neighbors seem willing to trade it for the promise of security?

It appears that there is a great deal of fear dividing our country in two. Why these fears, what needs to be done, and how can we do it? What do our readers think? What does our community think? What do others think?  

This is a three part series.  The first part describes the fears and what needs to be done to address them. The second part addresses why Black people should resist the loss of democracy, the third part deals with what needs to be done. Later articles can follow the progress of the Spokane fight for democracy.

The articles discuss various evidence-based approaches to enhance democratic resilience and social cohesion at government, institutional, and individual levels. They highlight the importance of economic interventions, leadership strategies, educational reforms, media responsibility, and personal engagement. The text outlines measures for specific demographic concerns while emphasizing the need for systemic changes and the importance of measuring success. Key factors for success include authenticity, inclusivity, patience, consistency, local focus, and bipartisan support.

Feedback from social media posts and interactions can be used to invite them to remove the fear, save democracy and participate in building a better community they want to live in.

Why Are People So Afraid That They Choose Tyranny Over Democracy

Robert “Bob” Lloyd info@4comculture.com 4comculture.com

Fighting Fear Articles

1. Why Are People So Afraid That They Choose Tyranny Over Democracy

2. Why Blacks Will Resist the Loss of Democracy

3. What Needs To Be Done to Relieve Fear?

This page provides examples of how you can be empowered. Feel free to look around 4comculture.com. Please also do research outside of the site.

Join Fighting Fear

Black Lives Matter

In elementary school when your skin is dark and your nose is broad and your hair is kinky, your peers don’t think your life matters. So you find sanctuary in the library. No one beats you up, no one calls you names, you read. And you discover how much there is that you don’t know and you can find it in a book. A teaching career, a military career, an artist’s career, medical technical career, African history, philosophy, literature, world travels. Information made his life matter. Charles made his life matter.
Charles Henri Tuggle, 80

Information Made His Life Matter

Charles is part of Hunters Point Shipyard Artists in San Francisco California. Examples of his work are available here.
www.shipyardartists.com

A current exhibit of his work is available at the site of a group of 10 Black artists who are with Hunters Point Shipyard artists.
Black on Point
www.blackonpointsf.org/charles-tuggle

Two videos are available at his YouTube channel Charles H. Tuggle
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDk3f18Mvvb7x-6FszXping/featured

Black Lives Matter

In elementary school when your skin is dark and your nose is broad and your hair is kinky, your peers don’t think your life matters. So you find sanctuary in the library. No one beats you up, no one calls you names, you read. And you discover how much there is that you don’t know and you can find it in a book. A teaching career, a military career, an artist’s career, medical technical career, African history, philosophy, literature, world travels. Information made his life matter. Charles made his life matter.
Charles Henri Tuggle, 80

Information Made His Life Matter

Charles is part of Hunters Point Shipyard Artists in San Francisco California. Examples of his work are available here.
www.shipyardartists.com

A current exhibit of his work is available at the site of a group of 10 Black artists who are with Hunters Point Shipyard artists.
Black on Point
www.blackonpointsf.org/charles-tuggle

Two videos are available at his YouTube channel Charles H. Tuggle
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDk3f18Mvvb7x-6FszXping/featured

We have many styles but we are uniting. For unity with purpose. Buy a sign place it in your yard or window let us know that you’re with us.

What do you want?

By now we’ve all seen what’s happening in Minneapolis, Detroit, Louisville, Atlanta, New York, Washington DC, Phoenix, Denver, Columbus, Dallas, Chicago, Memphis, Bakersfield, Albuquerque, Los Vegas,  Oakland, San Jose, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle  and more – twenty plus and growing – due to the killing of Floyd. The question is why and who benefits from these protests. We all know the why – systemic racism and injustice for people of color and the poor.  But who benefits? 

We have all seen this before – be it Martin Luther King’s death Memphis, be it the Rodney King beating in Los Angeles, the Chicago fire truck killing, be it Ferguson, Trayvon Martin in Florida, Eric Garner in New York, Freddie Gray in Baltimore, Orlando Castile in Minnesota. The lists goes on. The question is “Who benefits?”.

All of these demonstrations had three components. There are those who want to mourn. The parents and loved ones will bring flowers, teddy bears and pictures of the person lost. 

There are those who will hold non-violent protests. The politicians, the ministers and the status quo organizations will express their dissatisfaction with articulate speeches and venting rhetoric.

Here are some of those who on Sunday May 31 between 2 and 4 pm non-violently protested the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers. They met at 2 pm at Spokane’s Riverfront Park and marched to the Spokane County Courthouse and Spokane City Courthouse/Jail. I asked those pictured here to tell us in their own words WHY THEY MARCHED.

And then there are those who will co-opt your non-violent protests. The extreme left and right, the anarchists and those who would like to destroy your community, institutions and trust with violence and chaos and destruction. Sometime after 5 pm and late into the evening groups like this looted downtown Spokane stores, broke windows and had confrontations with police that resulted in their use of flash bangs, bean bags, rubber bullets, and tear gas canisters.

After demonstrations like this people will go back home to cynicism, apathy, complacency, self-medication and risky behavior, and party and bull shit and party and bull shit. And there will be no change. The question should be what is it that you want and what is the price you are willing to pay and how do you go about getting it. 

Will you build a grass root organization?  

If so form small groups of 5 – 10 people. Get to know and vet who your people are. Are they actors, allies or accomplices? Are they people who will sit down and meet regularly to discuss strategies and planned actions? Meet in a public place or Zoom. Let us know what your results are at 4comculture.com. Email info to:  info@4comculture.com

I’d suggest that you make this message go viral through your social media outlets. I’d suggest that you print this out on your home printer and distribute it at upcoming non-violent protests. You can become a civic activist and work between horrific events and elections.

Make masks for Blue voters / Let Red go to church / Blue pray at home

Sometimes we can’t wait on the cavalry!
Let’s put the wagons in a circle.
The battle has begun!
We are under attack, we must do the best we can with what we have.
The creative will have the best chance for survival.
It’s good to be prepared and independent but in times like this we need to be inter-dependent.

If we are brothas we need to support each other in this war at both levels. We need to support each other in measurable ways, not just throw around cultural symbols. We need to start by asking little things of each other.

• If you are a friend you will wear a mask because it protects you from me and me from you.
• We need to believe in and support the idea of one justice indivisible. If you don’t know what I am talking about a starting point would be The 14 Principles listed at 4comculture.com.
• The Spokane School District Board of Education wants to name several new school buildings. It would be nice if two of those schools were named after people of color. You can nominate someone: Nomination Link. I have nominated Frances Scott and Ruben Trejo.
• It would be good to let us know your personal level of commitment: Ally, Actor or Accomplice. See page at 4comculture.com.
• You need to have an online presence. You need to let your other brothas know what it is you stand for. One simple way to do this is to participate in online posting and messaging at Facebook.
• Let’s become civic activists. Participate in local social justice organizations or engage in new methods of non-violent action that include physical, virtual and hybrid actions.
• We each need to develop a social justice budget. It would be nice if you would donate on a regular basis to the things that you believe in. Let me suggest that you make a donation to anybody or any group that you choose, but do it in the name of Spokane Brothas. The reason I suggest doing that is to build a power base that would be respected. I would suggest a budget that would express your volunteer time as well as your cash contributions. For example a budget of $100 a month could include:
  • Volunteering: 7 hours a month at the national minimum wage of $7.25 per hour would be about a $50 in-kind contribution. What if you showed up to volunteer in a Brothas T-shirt?
  • Send a check to the Black Lens. About $4.00 a month buys a subscription.
  • Contribute to an informational issue campaign. For example about $16 pays for a MailChimp service that will send your message to a mailing list of thousands that you have built. In times of quarantine and isolation you have to find ways other than community meetings to deliver information about your issues. You could buy a yard sign with your message or issue or candidate.
  • Give $20 to local and/or regional progressive organizations or blue political parties – to the same organization/s every month so they can feel your presence.
  • Give $10 to national progressive organizations or blue political parties – to the same organization/s every month so they can feel your presence.

If we only had 14 brothas contributing at this level this would be $1400 per month or $16,800 per year. Imagine what would happen if we had 100 brothas.

Your comments are welcome. If I haven’t heard from you by June 12, I will assume you are not interested.

Bob L. info@4comculture.com

This year we gathered as usual Sunday January 19 at Holy Temple Church of God in Christ for the Commemorative Celebration. Monday January 20 we gathered at the Spokane Convention Center for a video presentation about the MLK East Central Community Center, inspirational speeches, Max Daniels of House of Soul gave his rendition of A Change Is Gonna Come with a slide presentation that illustrated previous MLK rallies and CLICK: Those Who Showed Up during the year to speak to power, marched around several blocks downtown, and returned to the Exhibit Hall where Michael Moon Bear youth drummers entertained.

But there were only two action steps suggested.

One was that we spread the love and brotherhood of Dr. King’s teachings and the other was that we show up February 3 at City Hall to ask the City Council to rename the East Central Community Center as the Martin Luther King Community Center.

People leave these rallies without knowing what they can do. What will you do between now and when we gather again in January 2021 for the MLK rally and march? In the next few weeks there are the impeachment proceedings followed by the campaigns for the presidential and other elections in November. We need to get busy.

100 Discussion to Action Groups

If you believe in CLICK: These Principles we need you to go to your local coffee house and form a discussion group with five to ten individuals to discuss issues, plan strategies and take actions. Begin building the community you want to live in. We want to build 100 of these discussion groups. If we have 100 discussion groups we will be able to turn out 500 to a 1000 people to demonstrate, to knock on doors, to participate in social justice activities. Regardless of whomever is elected we will have built the movement we need to support the human rights and social justice changes that Sam Cooke wrote about in one of the greatest songs of all time A Change is Gonna Come.

If you want to join us TEXT (509) 934-3933 with your name, email address and zip code. We will let you know about discussion groups in your area.

Here are some things that you can do immediately:

Read 198 Methods of Nonviolent Action. Click: https://4comculture.com/archives/14129

Read about the 12 things needed for a movement. Click: Where Do You Want to Start?

Listen to Shaun King’s podcast and take his action steps. Click: The Breakdown

Coffee and Discussion Groups