Yesterday, President Barack Obama wrote an amazing essay for Glamour Magazine titled “This Is What a Feminist Looks Like“. This came a few months after his wonderful remarks at the first White House Summit on the ‘United States of Women’. In his essay, he highlighted the importance of the father-daughter relationship in raising young women unafraid to speak up and be the best they can be.
As a parent, helping your kids to rise above these constraints is a constant learning process. Michelle and I have raised our daughters to speak up when they see a double standard or feel unfairly judged based on their gender or race—or when they notice that happening to someone else.
It’s important for them to see role models out in the world who climb to the highest levels of whatever field they choose. And yes, it’s important that their dad is a feminist, because now that’s what they expect of all men.Barack Obama
This inspired us at Zikoko to celebrate the relationship between black fathers and their daughters:
1. Steph Curry and his little fireball, Riley.
2. Benny Harlem and his daughter, Jaxyn, giving us hair goals!
3. AY and his daughter, Michelle.
4. Muhammad Ali and his mini-me, Laila.
5. Kunle Afolayan braiding his daughter, Eyiyemi’s hair.
6. The rapper, The Game, and his adorable little girl.
7. President Muhammadu Buhari and two of his daughters, Zahra and Halimat.
8. Basketmouth and his daughter, Janelle.
9. RMD and his two lovely daughters.
10. Jay Z and his daughter, Blue Ivy.
11. Pastor Tony Rapu and his beautiful daughters, Kene and Uju.
12. Will Smith and his daughter, Willow.
13. President Barack Obama and his oldest daughter, Malia.
1. The Super Wise Father
Is the oldest in his family
Your uncles always send their kids to your house for counseling and advice
He will tell you 100 proverbs before you get your allowance
2. The IJGB Wannabe Father
He has been to USA just once
He never ceases to bring it up in every convo
He thinks he is still young and popping at 67
3. The International Father
He is never around
He will give you gifts and dollars too
Everyone wants to get to his level
4. The Comedian Father
You will never catch him angry
He makes a joke out of everything
When you fail an exam, he will say “can you at least pass the salt on the table?”
5. The Social Father
Everybody invites him everywhere
He is always talking of joining politics someday
Will tell you it’s cool to bring your girlfriend home
6. The Shady Father
He is always angry
He jokes about using either you or your siblings for blood money
His wife is always begging him to go to church
7. The Posh Father
He never looks old
Your mum always keeps a watchful eye on his phone
He never beats you, just talks gently to you
8. The Strict Father
He has given you a 7PM curfew
You must marry only from your tribe
There is nothing like allowance increase in his dictionary
9. The Neighborhood Bigman Father
Throws an owambe every two weeks
He will pay your school fees and give you half of it for allowance
He will want to find a wife/husband for you himself
10. The Street Father
None of your teachers can touch you
He usually comes home late at night
He may have reset your destiny with a slap or two
