EVERYDAY’S OURS

Words and images by Akintola Hanif

To me, ain’t no such thing as Father's Day. Everyday is Mother's & Father's Day and acknowledging yours should be a given.

I remember when my Sun first came to live with me. At the time he was 5 and I was 26, still a child in a man’s body. I remember his mother called me and told me she needed me to take him. I was scared to death, just knowing I didn’t posses the maternal instincts to raise a child. But much to my own disbelief, nothing could’ve been further from the truth. Raising my Sun turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me, growing me mentally, emotionally and spiritually as I watched him grow and mature.

It ain’t all sweet though. I can remember being fucked up, broke, down to my last 10 dollars and taking that to the Chinese restaurant to get us something to eat, thinking how am I gonna pay my rent? How am I gonna make a better life for me & him? Just last year around this time I had to go to Emergency Home Assistance (a division of welfare) to get help with my rent. They wound up giving me food stamps, too. I mention this only to say that whatever I gotta do for me & mine, whether it be sell DVDs, get welfare, hustle round the clock, or whatever; that’s what it is. If I didn’t have this young king to raise I’d prolly be good, with money to blow, but being that I got this extra responsibility, it’s whatever.

Luckily for us I’ve found a creative outlet to help me earn a living so I can light a better path for him. So hopefully he won’t have to make all the mistakes I made and do all the silly shit I did just to get by. But I sincerely identify with those not as fortunate (and better off), who regardless of class or social standing are still there for theirs. From the middle class cat in Brooklyn Heights to my Brothers on the corner of Broad and Market, “just trying to make some money to feed their daughter,’’ this for yall.

Every day, I bear witness to mothers and fathers all around me who are willing to provide for, guide and stay present (in action and influence) in their children’s lives, regardless of circumstance or tier (by any means necessary). For that I salute you all, cuz no matter what they think or say, if you’re doing your best to provide for you and yours, my hat goes off to you. Love and Respect yall. All ways (always).

Rest in Power Pop. I Love You Boy.