At a recent community breakfast in Fort Bend County, Justice of the Peace Roderick Garner broke down while reflecting on the weight of caring for his aging parents, LaVoice and Horace Garner.
“Taking care of your parents is tough,” he shared through tears. “You never know, because they’re always taking care of you.”
Additionally, Garner shows up daily for his daughter (Jessica) and grandchildren (R.J, and Aaliyah). And though his son, Roderick Jr. passed away last November, despite the pain of that loss, Garner continues to show up for his Ft. Bend community. In doing so, Garner isn’t an exception. He’s the rule.
Despite the tired and false “absent Black father” trope, the truth is clear: Black dads are showing up for their families, schools and communities in powerful, consistent and inspiring ways.
A 2015 CDC study found that Black fathers, whether married to their children’s mothers or not, were just as present—and in some cases more present—in their children’s lives than dads of other races. Still, negative stereotypes persist, amplified by racist online trolls, conservative media talking points and even pop culture…