Calling on Black Fathers

By William J. Booker, as published by the Chicago Sun-Times, June 17, 2020

The guidance and support from black fathers is needed more than ever. Our sons and daughters are on the frontlines in the fight for racial equality and justice in a world where black lives seldom matter. As we enter the 5th week of protests for criminal justice reform, our children need their father's crucial involvement to help set the course for future generations to come.

"They will not get there alone, though their tireless efforts are heroic, if the lives that they fight for don't include the voices of black men and fathers, the struggle may very well be lost."

Many people have lost their lives due to police brutality and excessive force, but it is a call to action, for black men who believe and want to see real change. The whole world may very well be watching, but as fathers it is our solemn duty to love, support, and protect our kids by any means necessary. This Father's day we honor all fathers who want to see a brighter future for their kids, and those who have died trying to make a world of difference.

The Legacy of Slavery Continues

By William J. Booker, as printed by the Chicago Tribune, June 1, 2020.

They did it without any moral conscience for the human lives they were taking, destroying, raping, killing, torturing. There was no game plan when white America enslaved African Americans, and sought to deprive us of our rights. There was no game plan when our culture was taken from us, our dignity stomped out of us, our women and children raped, our civil rights leaders murdered. There was no game plan for what would happen if the people from s---hole countries were suddenly free. There was no game plan because all the cards were on the table. Any and everything America wanted to do to black people, they did. They lynched us and smiled about it.

"Slavery was started more than 400 years ago, and still today we suffer from the abuse from many white Americans who believe that black lives don’t matter, and black votes don’t count. They wave their American flags, and wear their MAGA hats with pride."

When will the violence end? When will the destruction and looting stop? I don’t know, you tell me. When will America own up to over 400 years of injustice? When will we be finally free of the tyranny from racist police officers we face every day in our communities? You want peaceful protest? The day America decides to take its knee off the necks of black and brown Americans, and give us equal justice, is the day we won’t need to loot or burn down buildings to express anger and outrage. You say we’re in this together — then tell me, why the hell are we the only ones dying?