Losing in Translation

It may seem redundant (and maybe a bit stupid) to offer wisdom like, "...a child's experiences with his father depend largely on the kind of relationship he has with him" as does the Philippine Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office. However, lets offer the courtesy of assuming that something has been lost in translation from Tagalog to English with a program trying to help men become better fathers.

Thinking about the dad's situation rather than immediately criticizing, would also have been a wonderful courtesy to offer Mark Frearson, who was jailed for hitting his son. Spanking, actually. And after the boy had wandered away (after being told to stay close) in a shopping center. And not as a pattern. And before the person who made the complaint that sent him to the slammer had even been interviewed by police.

As Julia Wright, touring the world on behalf of the centenary of her father Richard's birth, says to students, "Always ask questions. Always turn things around and look at all facets. Always look at the flip side." Richard Wright is the towering presence behind "Native Son," "Black Boy" and the just released, posthumously and through his daughter's efforts, "A Father's Law." [Earlier: Life ... Death ... Dads on Paper]