THE ISSUE: Million Father March

OUR OPINION: Positive message in fathers taking children to school on day 1

Education has become a matter of national security. Because we cannot control our schools, we cannot control our economy. And because we cannot control our economy, we cannot control and protect our quality of life in America,” says Phillip Jackson, executive director of The Black Star Project, U.S.A.

The Black Star Project is sponsoring the Million Father March 2008 on the first day of school in nearly 300 cities across America. Because of the dynamic presence at their child’s school, the Million Father March has become a special day that fathers and other men use to make a commitment to their children, their families, their communities and their country. Jackson says, “The real Fathers Day is the Million Father March!”

The Million Father March 2008 will play out at thousands of schools across America and in other parts of the world. About 300,000 men from 127 cities participated in the 2006 Million Father March. An estimated 400,000 men in 238 cities participated in 2007. This year, an estimated 500,000 men from 300 cities are expected to participate.

The Million Father March also provides an escort of safety, support and encouragement to children of all ages on their first day of school. Jackson says, “Gang recruitment, bullying and random violence go way down on any day that a group of men are at a school.”

Research shows that children whose fathers take an active role in their educational lives earn better grades, get better test scores, enjoy school more and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. Additionally, children have fewer behavior problems when fathers listen to and talk with them regularly and are active in their lives.

A good father is part of a good parent team and is critical to creating a strong family structure. Strong family structures produce children who are more academically proficient, socially developed and self-assured. Such children become adults who are valuable assets to their communities.

“Better parents produce better communities, better schools, and better students with higher academic achievements,” Jackson says.

Participants in the Million Father March include fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, significant male caregivers and friends of the family. Although the Million Father March was created by black men, women and men of all races are also encouraged to take their children to school on their first day.

Businesses are being asked to give fathers and men two hours off that morning to take their children to school. Men will also be encouraged to volunteer at schools throughout the year.

Since schools across America and the world start the new school year on different days and months, the 2008 March will be a rolling event that takes place on the first day of this school year in cities, villages and towns between Aug. 7 and Oct. 13.

Whether the marches here are one lone father, dozens, even hundreds, participation is encouraged. It will send a real message.

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