Aug 18 2008
Run DMC founder tells American dads how to raise children
His band Run DMC, the first gangsta rap act to make the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, enjoyed two decades of success with songs like Walk this Way until disbanding in 2002 after the gangland execution of its DJ, Jam-Master Jay.
All of which makes Simmons an unlikely candidate to be America’s latest parenting guru. Now though, at the age of 43, he is an ordained minister and has reinvented himself as the star of a reality television show in which his eminently functional family serves as a role model for black America.
Last week, the self-styled “Rev Run” was publishing his first book, dispensing wisdom on how to make parenting “cool” again and urging young black fathers to play with their children.
The sentiment has a special resonance within the African-American community, where seven out of 10 black children are now born out of wedlock, a figure more than six times as high as that for white families.
The idea for the book, Take Back Your Family: A Challenge to America’s Parents, came from Rev Run’s television show, Run’s House, which has become one of the top rated programmes on youth channel MTV.
The fly-on-the-wall style show features the hip hop mogul and his wife Justine raising their seven children, but the footage is conspicuously bereft of the bust-ups and foul language often associated with reality television.
“Initially we had a very difficult time convincing television people to take a chance on it,” Simmons added. “The conventional wisdom was that was that audiences find TV compelling when the kids are struggling with drinking, drugs and promiscuity, instead of getting good grades, staying out of trouble and going to church every Sunday.”
“…Reaction to Run’s House has convinced me that promoting the value of family life is what I was put on this earth to do. I might have earned my reputation as a rapper, but when it’s all said and done, I hope that I’ll ultimately be remembered for being a good dad.”
Read more here.
[From me]
I’m not the biggest fan of Rap, but I think we all can learn from “Rev Run.” This isn’t a black or white issue, it is an issue for all races. Fathers are not involved with their children and for that reason we are seeing more crime and high divorce rates. It is time that men step up and be men.
What do you think?
8 responses so far
I agree with you 100%. Absentee fathers (even when they are still in the home) is killing the American family. I also think a lot of pop culture is doing the same thing. If a man were to watch television in an effort to find out what dads “do” he would be lost. How many commercials and TV shows are out there that demonize fathers as stupid, self-centered, or lazy?
Men who want to be great fathers need to look at the relationship between man and the Father. That is the best example of what dads “do”.
Michael’s last blog post..Random Thoughts
About the only depiction worse than the one media gives to dads is the one they give to ministers of the gospel!
Look to the book…not TV!
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..God, Please Raise Your Right Hand
I have no clue what his reality show is like. I won’t waste my time on that but you hit the nail on the head when you said “it is not a white and black issue.” Statistics may say that more African American children are born out of wedlock but it one is born that way it is one too many (white or black). There is no mistaking the problem of uninvolved fathers and many authors have shown the value of a father being directly involved in the life of his children. I do appreciate his last comment: “i do hope I will be remembered for being a good dad.” That is my prayer also.
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..Thoughts on Friendship
Run DMC is not “gangster” rap.
Ugh.
Joe Louthan’s last blog post..Pride and Lust, Part 5
Joe,
I was thinking the same thing. But I didn’t write the article.
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Run DMC founder tells American dads how to raise children
Run rocks, always has. I love rap music, and am glad that the genre isn’t afraid to get into the Christianity game. Rev Run, Lecrae, Ambassador, they all serve as great role models, not only for African Americans but for young America as a whole. Rap music and that culture seems to be leading the way among young people not only in urban areas but in rural areas as well. I am so glad the people like Rev Run are telling it like it is and not afraid to put family first and speak the name of Jesus even on MTV. His show is the only reason I will watch MTV. He is a great example for all fathers. And I am afraid Joe is right, Run DMC is so not gangster rap, sorry Kevin:-)
rolanda’s last blog post..Regardless of party affiliation?
Rolanda,
Thanks for commenting. I’m not the one who called it “gangsta” rap. I just pasted the article from the UK. I’m not a rap fan but I do know the difference “fo su”
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Granny Got a Gun…
Oh, I got it. I thought you was all gangsta now and got yo i pod loaded up with some Run DMC and was like, “dat’s how I roll yo”, so I was just gonna help you and tell you that you might want to get something a little more UTD:-)…my bad.
rolanda’s last blog post..Random