Essence.com: Low Expectations for Fathers
Monday, July 30, 2012 at 1:00AM Over the weekend, Dr. Boyce Watkins over on Kulture Kritic put me on to a photo that’s been making the rounds on the Internet. Frank Somerville, a reporter on Oakland station KTVU, posted a picture of himself, a white man, taking out his adopted Black daughter’s braids. I don’t have to tell you what a frustrating process that can be, and Somerville — rat tail comb in hand — wore a determined expression I know well as he focused on the long task ahead.
“So for those of you who think TV can be glamorous, this is how I spent my morning, learning how to take out my daughter’s braids,” he posted on Facebook. “It takes a long time and a lot of patience!”
It was a cute picture, a nice daddy-daughter moment, and I definitely empathized with Frank’s efforts. Many viewers seemed uncommonly touched by the image, and praise for Somerville poured in from readers declaring how “awesome” he was. The responses to the photo seemed a little extra to me — and to Dr. Watkins and Frank, too.
Frank responded to the praise, downplaying the attention: “It’s not often that I am speechless, but I am floored by the response to the picture I posted…. To me the picture shows a dad doing what a dad SHOULD do.”
I’m with Frank. And I’m reminded of that now-classic Chris Rock skit where he talked about people who brag about what they’re “supposed to do.” In no way do I think Somerville was bragging. He was sharing a snapshot of his life, and I don’t find fault with him at all. But I do wonder — like he does — why he got heaps of credit for doing what a father should.
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