It is Sunday morning,  the 21st day of June. Father’s Day.  I know little about the role and responsibility of being a Father.  Plainly fatherhood is more than a biological or a social role.  I’ve known many males, with children, who qualify for the label, since language is a social construct.  When the topic comes up, these guys admit being “lost,” when it comes to the practice, ownership of the role of being-a-father.

I’ve always thought that Mother’s Day was more important than Father’s Day.  Surely that is a clue, that I have more work to do, more consideration of my role, of mastering the script that I have been given, in order to take the stage with confidence — to deliver my lines, the fatherhood role in the great drama of life.

ANOTHER FIRING

Yesterday was another hot day, the first hot day of summer — the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman was fired by the president for being successful at convicting Trump acolytes of corruption.  Michael Cohen was prosecuted and convicted of financial crimes. Berman’s office was investigating the dealings of Rudy Giuliani.

INFECTIONS VIRAL AND POLITICAL ARE RISING

The numbers of new coronavirus infections continue to rise.  The President attempted to restart his campaign for another term in Tulsa last night, never mind the panic and resistance of local officials against such a virus super-spreader event.  An on site Trump supporter who was interviewed said that he and others were gathered “because they loved God and they loved their country.  And there was no need for any further detail than that.”  Obviously he and others are relying upon the strength of their faith in God/Trump/country to shield them from becoming seriously ill.  Reports were that the president and other spokespersons addressed a partially filled arena.

BLACK LIVES MATTER/DON’T MATTER?

The Black Lives Matter uprising continues, especially in Tulsa.  Will this weeks long protest in the streets against racism, matter?  Is it possible to achieve structural change to make things somewhat better, when so many white Americans are casual racists?  At this point in time a police officer who kills a Black individual faces no serious jeopardy, especially if there is no video record of the act.  Can things be made better for everyone, by pushing against racism?  We have to try.

THE NATION AS A FATHERLESS CHILD

These two photos were featured in articles by the Washington Post about the activity in Tulsa Oklahoma yesterday.  The images speak to me of our condition as a society.   America like a “fatherless child” alone, listens at great distance, to a deranged, self loathing, insecure “leader” go on and on with his list of grievances, and the empty promises of American greatness.

On the streets there is a motley crowd, the majority in their youthful years, insisting on structural change to make society more just, to make the benefits of American life more widely available no matter one’s racial or ethnic heritage.  Will this general uprising of protest make much of a difference?  I cannot say, but I doubt it.  The change demanded means that some of the profit derived from disadvantaged would be given up, in addition less deference expected by the whites who currently have power.  Those are big “asks.”  Such changes historically have not be made voluntarily.

Usually such changes have demanded the application of force.