Hi there—it’s Dear Auntie with some knowledge. I hope you all have enjoyed your Juneteenth celebrations last Saturday. As African Americans, we commemorate this day in 1865, when more than a quarter-million enslaved people living in Texas learned from arriving union troops that they had been freed by a presidential decree two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect. We as a people must never forget our history.
June is also African American Music Month. We can celebrate all the musicians of our past, present, and future: jazz greats such as Nancy Wilson and Mccoy Tyner; Gospel greats Mahalia Jackson and James Cleveland; blues greats Bessie Smith and Holland Wolfe; the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin and R&B/genre-blending talents Prince, as well as classical music. Now you know we have a lot of great musicians! I just gave you a small sample.
I hope you had a wonderful Father’s Day as well. Remember, that a father is someone’s son, brother, and best friend! Please celebrate and bring love to our men.
Family secrets
Dear Auntie:
I was paying for gas at a gas station, and the cashier said, “Is this your name?” I said, “Yes.” What the cashier said after I said yes changed my life. The cashier said, “I think my brother is your brother!”
I said, “What are you talking about?” He said that your daddy is my brother’s daddy! I was in shock. He asked, “Do you want to meet him?” I said, “Yes.”
We met in a public place. He has my dad’s last name, and he resembles me. The only difference is I’m a female, and he’s a male. I am hurt! Father’s Day is coming, and I’m not sure if I want to attend the family dinner.
Dear Auntie, help me to know what to do.
Dear Reader:
The first thing you need to do is remember your father is still your father, and you don’t stop loving someone because you don’t like what he has done. You have to decide when you want to ask your dad about your brother or if you don’t want to, that’s up to you.
You have to choose what you want to do, but remember, there are two sides to every story. Your mother may know about your brother. There are a lot of questions to be answered.
Take your time with your decision. Enjoy your Father’s Day with your dad. Never rush to make decisions when you are still in shock. Make sure you are willing to deal with the outcome of your decision.
Remember, Dear Auntie is here to help. It’s up to you to make your final decision. Feel free to email me dearauntie@spokesmans-recorder.com.