The root of it is “Love”. Also the fact that I was raised by a single mother, it gave me the opportunity to develop what masculinity meant to me, I wasn’t just forming my ideas based on what some one else said what It should be. I had the opportunity to be more analytical in what I thought or didn’t think masculinity was  

2. You became a dad at 21 and, though it was hard, parented your kids to the best of your abilities. What inner or external resources helped you at that time?

That proverb” It takes a village to raise a child”, is so true. It’s with the help of my mother and my mother in law, aunt, sister in law, and other family members that my wife and I depend upon in help raising our three children. I honestly feel that my role is to parent not only my own sons, but also to help co-parent the children in my community; I think we all have that responsibility in our own communities.

3. What are some positive things you see happening around you in terms of men and masculinity?

I see more open dialogues and forums happening with men, created by men. I see more of us challenging the traditional views of patriarchy and the realization from those before us that it doesn’t work. I like that they are more cultural movements that are speaking to men of colour about what it is to be a man, father, husband/ partner, etc.. I like that we are making strides as a community, we have a way to go, but we are learning on our journey.