Character 145 - Dad's who dig

This one is for my Dads or fathers who dig, especially my vinyl junkies. I took my son to the record store a few times and although he wasn't as excited as I was, I'm happy I got to do that. I will leave my records for him one day. Is there a record that comes to mind when you first started digging? Did your parents take you to look for music at record store, swap meet, convention, or thrift store? Who is a dad you know of that still digs? You want a print of this?

The LP the dad is holding is a remix of the record "TAXI" by Sly & Robbie; a record I grew up hearing in the house.

Urban Dads- Dad groups

This is a really touching video, so inspiring to see. Great to see groups like this, Fathers Incorporated (ATL), Black Men Smile(ATL), Fathers Corps (Bay Area), and others doing the work.

Speaking at Burlingame library

If you're in the south bay come through!

Rad Families

Hey parents and folks who know parents to be the new anthology of Rad Dads, moms, and parents edited by the founder of Rad Dad Tomas Moniz. I'm happy to be a part of this book and to hold space with other parents when talking about the love, struggles, and strife. It features joints I've seen from the Rad Dad magazine and other pieces from zines. You can cop the book here at PM Press.

Here is some more info about the book:

Rad Families: A Celebration honors the messy, the painful, the playful, the beautiful, the myriad ways we create families. This is not an anthology of experts, or how-to articles on perfect parenting; it often doesn’t even try to provide answers. Instead, the writers strive to be honest and vulnerable in sharing their stories and experiences, their failures and their regrets.

Gathering parents and writers from diverse communities, it explores the process of getting pregnant from trans birth to adoption, grapples with issues of racism and police brutality, probes raising feminists and feminist parenting. It plumbs the depths of empty nesting and letting go.

Some contributors are recognizable authors and activists but most are everyday parents working and loving and trying to build a better world one diaper change at a time. It’s a book that reminds us all that we are not alone, that community can help us get through the difficulties, can, in fact, make us better people. It’s a celebration, join us!

Contributors include Jonas Cannon, Ian MacKaye, Burke Stansbury, Danny Goot, Simon Knaphus, Artnoose, Welch Canavan, Daniel Muro LaMere, Jennifer Lewis, Zach Ellis, Alicia Dornadic, Jesse Palmer, Mindi J., Carla Bergman, Tasnim Nathoo, Rachel Galindo, Robert Liu-Trujillo, Dawn Caprice, Shawn Taylor, D.A. Begay, Philana Dollin, Airial Clark, Allison Wolfe, Roger Porter, cubbie rowland-storm, Annakai & Rob Geshlider, Jeremy Adam Smith, Frances Hardinge, Jonathan Shipley, Bronwyn Davies Glover, Amy Abugo Ongiri, Mike Araujo, Craig Elliott, Eleanor Wohlfeiler, Scott Hoshida, Plinio Hernandez, Madison Young, Nathan Torp, Sasha Vodnik, Jessie Susannah, Krista Lee Hanson, Carvell Wallace, Dani Burlison, Brian Whitman, scott winn, Kermit Playfoot, Chris Crass, and Zora Moniz.

Editor: Tomas Moniz • Foreword by Ariel Gore
Publisher: PM Press
ISBN: 978-1-62963-230-8
Published: 10/01/2016
Format: Paperback
Size: 8x5
Page count: 296
Subjects: Family-Relationships

Rad Families Anthology

All you Rad Dad's and families out there! Rad Dad is back with a new anthology of works. Peep this message from the founder Tomas Moniz....and order the book for your store, library, or home

Hello, it's Tomas Moniz, editor and writer and creator of RAD DAD (zine, magazine, & books). After a hiatus following the release of our final magazine issue, we at the RAD DAD collective are back with an exciting birth announcement: RAD FAMILIES is due around September! 

It's a vibrant & necessary anthology of writings by so many amazing people (including a number of trans, queer, & POC voices) all examining what it means to create family! 

Helps us spread the word, set up an event, & create community!

Questions email tomas.moniz@gmail.com.

Ordering: stephanie@pmpress.org

In solidarity!

Tomas!

Rad Dad mag is out!

You've been waiting for this last magazine issue of Rad Dad Magazine? Here it go, if you didnt cop one, support that. If you already got the message, think of a young father who don't know yet. We fathers have to converse, chop it up, share wisdom, and just relate so we can raise these babies right.

LINK

Daddy Thoughts 9-Accept responsibility part one

This post will be broken up into two parts because it is very long.

Today I get a call from one of his maestra’s telling me my boy is reading a lot in class. At first, I think “Oh wow, that’s a good thing”. But it turns out the teacher asked him to put his book away and pay attention to other class activities. I am super excited that he is reading without anyone telling him to. I’m glad that he finds happiness in it on his own. It should be some form of entertainment, learning, and escape all at the same time. But, the problem is listening.

This past year it was tough because I felt like a broken record. I was repeating myself and asking him to do the same things day in and day out. Brush your teeth, hurry up, finish eating, take a shower, wash your dish, etc. It got to the point where it was starting to annoy me, so I know he was annoyed. I thought about how to handle this because he had no problems remembering to turn on my computer and watch a cartoon or a documentary about World War 2. So, I made a list-something I love to do-of all of the things I wanted him to do. The things he would be responsible for. And I made a list of all of the privileges he gets with help from him of course.

Now I know some parents will disagree with the method, but it has worked for me. I’m strict. My dad was strict, now I’m strict. My mom was strict about some things, but generally she was more lenient that my dad was. Now, I feel like that pattern is happening again with my son. But, I feel much more comfortable expressing emotion and feeling. I tell him I love him all of the time. I try to tell him how I feel, etc. And I ask that he do the same.

Now, back to the list of things. I decided I wanted to change it to a chart. So, I looked up responsibility charts online and found a lot of different examples for chores and many other things. I’m still trying to figure out allowance and jobs that I will pay him for, but what was nagging, arguments, frustration, whining, and yelling has turned into a more positive pattern. My partner helped me organize the chart. When he handles his morning activities (brushing teeth, making his bed, etc) he gets a point. When he cleans his room  (sweeps, dusts, cleans up, organizes) he gets two points. And there are more responsibilities. But basically I award him for handling these things I’ve laid out with time to watch cartoons, play video games, or choose a dessert. I’ve also asked him to list other privileges he wants like sleep over’s, going out to the movies, or buying legos. These other things require “saving”.

This has worked out great because now, I just say go look at your list of things to do and handle it (based partially on other parents recommendations too) and he does it. If he doesn’t then he doesn’t get to do the stuff he wants to on my weekend. He forgot to do his chores once. I didn’t remind him. And when the time came to chill out on the weekend, there was no TV, no computer, and no privileges. He was pissed! But he learned a lesson that day, and hasn’t missed his chores since. I try not to punish him, but rather award him for the stuff he is able to handle. It has improved our relationship greatly because in 2013, my fiancée, myself, and him all moved into a house together. And he acted out because. Well, because kids don’t always know how to say how they’re feeling. To be continued......

Rad Dad Day 10

Here is an article/interview about the Rad Dad Magazine founder Tomas Moniz explaining how Rad Dad came to be.

LINK: Mutha Magazine feature

Its Rad Dad Day 10, if you have the time or capacity please pass along the campaign link to friends, family, and definitely other parents.

LINK: http://kck.st/10l0OnI

Rad Dad!! Why another crowd funded project?

Quick Rad Dad: Yo! It's official, the Rad Dad magazine collective just launched a kickstarter to support the creation of three new magazines for the year of 2015! But before I get into the particulars of this I wanna talk about why I get down with this crew and why it I'm involved in another crowd funded project. Were a multicultural/background crew of dads who wanna continue to make a dope magazine that is funded by cool ass people like yourself, not the military or patriarchal bullshit. Wanna talk about our children being murdered? Rampant disrespect of our sisters and trans bredren? Wanna help us raise these babies right? Become a contributor to the mag.

Long RAD DAD: First, when I became a dad I made a commitment to my son to always be there, to always do my best, to teach, love, and to protect him in anyway I can. There are some days when I have triumphed at this amazingly and days when I've failed horribly. When you are a young father you think you are all alone out there. Sometimes you get into arguments with your partner, your parents, your partners parents, people on the street,etc. There are always people trying to tell you how to raise your child. And truth be told you $#%& up a lot. But it is priceless when you find another father willing to offer advice, not to tell what you're doing wrong but to confide in you that they screwed up too. And to tell you that it will get better and that despite of race, class, background, gender, whatever you can do it. I've been fortunate to get some good conversations with dads like this of all kind of backgrounds, rich, poor, black, white, asian, latino, transgender. I think that a lot of Tv, media, and news don't tell enough of our stories as fathers. Especially these moments when we reach out to one another and show love.

I read the Rad Dad zine as just another guy before I met Tomas Moniz or the rest of the crew. A fellow dad shared it with me. i love zines for their attitude of "do it yourself". Zine makers don't wait for funding or a publisher, or advertisements; they just make it happen. And that is what Tomas did with countless other dads for nearly a decade. Last year he got a cast of characters together to make a new form of that zine happen. He crowd funded the 3 issues we have put out in 2014, the first of which, my work was on the cover for. And now we're going to do it again.

Why crowd funding? It was explained to me when I was just a child literally that a system exists which works towards a goal, one goal. That system of Capitalism has many working and moving parts here in the US and globally which strive for money, control, and power. It enforces its control through many means and Patriarchy is one of them. Patriarchy is a disease that says women are less than. Its one which puts women down, asks men to beat, curse, and disgrace them. And it teaches men to pick up a gun instead, rape, or fuck a woman and leave-instead of raising a child, getting consent, and showing love to one's fellow human being. Now believe me, I am no saint and have fucked up before. But I believe in this magazines potential to reach parents and parents to be out there, especially young men. I believe we and the people we reach out to have something to say that goes against the system of Patriarchy and Capitalism. It ain't the end all to be all, but it is definitely a magazine that isn't going to be quiet or accept adds from cigarette companies and the National Guard, feel me? So we turn to crowd funding because we know there are people who agree with us, and we know that there are folks who could make up their own mind about parenting if they had another view point to chose from. Ok, stepping off soapbox.

Reasons to support:
1. We are pro print! Get this thing in your hands, touch, feel it, pass it on

2. We are multicultural/multi-background crew of fathers, mothers, and allies. Diversity is important.

3. We are feminists who are dads, and are fighting against Patriarchy

4. We are a collective that collaborates to put this thing together

5. Rad Dad's is not what we are, but what we aspire to be

6. We believe in Rad as in "Radical Parenting", which sometimes challenges society and grandparents.

7. We hope to continue providing a platform to talk, vent, discuss, share, and celebrate parenthood.

Spread the word y'all, especially to blogs, sites, radio programs, and places that have the ear of the people. One love!
-Rob

SHARE LINK: http://kck.st/10l0OnI

Daddy Thoughts 6- Dad day again

Today while walking out of the movies on father’s day I held my son on my back; giving him a piggy back ride, walking next to his mom. Strangely I was brought back to a promise I made to him when he was just a itty bitty baby in his crib. I’m sure my parents and step father made the same to me at some point. The promise was to be there for him, to be his guardian angel with or without wings (watched Maleficent). To do my best, even though I might #$%& up, and I definitely do occasionally. I lose my temper sometimes when I have passed the point of asking nicely for him to clean up his toys. I have been late to pick him up from school before once. Maybe twice. I once fed my child some moldy rice (ewww, yuck) and didn’t realize what the funny smell was. Bad dad. But, through the bumps and scrapes, I’m still here and so is he. I occasionally screw up, trying my best to make due with a graphic novel here, a smoothie there, a lesson in cracking eggs, and a regular “I Love You”. Said and done with all of my heart. This father’s day I did not spend it with my father or my step father even though I would have liked to have them both in the same room (maybe when I get married?). But, I did have a pretty awesome Fathers day with my son, his mom, a card, small gifts, ice cream, a trip to the record store, deep dish pizza, and a movie. I am a co-parent. I raise my son with my son’s mother together, through ups and downs.

I want to give a shout out to all the fathers out there today who like me have made a commitment and who will live and transition fulfilling it.  I want to say a prayer of forgiveness to any who feel shame for making a mistake, let it go and step forward. I want to say a prayer for those who are in pain mental or physical who could use our wishes. And I want to give a special shout out to the Rad Dad Collective for giving me a new place to share my energy and thoughts on parenting, even if it is just by helping other dads share theirs. I feel quite hopeful this year for new lessons and new opportunities. Peace!

-Rob

And (shameless self promoting here) in case achem* you have been under a rock or taking a break from social media, I have launched the campaign to release my first children's book called “Furqan’s First Flat Top” funded by a crowd of fathers and mothers, and book lovers like you.  Take care dads.

Rad Dad 4- 50 subscribers in 50 states/ Contribute

Yo! Fathers, Baba's, Dad's across the United States, Rad Dad Magazine is looking to hit a goal of 50 new subscribers, one from each state of the United States. If you love finding an alternative voice for fathers and radical parenting, give Rad Dad as a gift or get one for yourself. And if the magazine is not covering a fathers issue you feel should be covered, guess what? You can contribute. If you have not yet visited the new site: GO HERE

Rad Dad 3-Looking for Bookstores-Rad Dad

Do you know of any cool bookstores in the US, the UK, South or Central America, Africa, Asia, Europe that you could recommend for Rad Dad Magazine?

We're looking for new places all over to put the magazine in and need help from you. What is your favorite bookstore where you live that is down for artistic and radical movement in literature? Holler back by commenting on this post or emailing me at info@robdontstop.com

 In case you missed it, here is the blog RD calls home and here is the post I did about the cover artwork. Right on.

Rad Dad 2-Cover and physical copies!

Yo, just purchased my first copies of Rad Dad's new magazine with my artwork on the cover. I can't tell you what an honor this is to be featured prominently on the cover; but I can say that I'm blessed to be able to help dads connect. Shout out to Kyle Knobel who designed the cover/ magazine and Tomas Moniz, the editor and creator.

 As I've said many times, I believe we dads owe it to ourselves and our children to talk to each other. It's important to share tricks, tips, vent, ideas, support, check each other, and just really raise our kids right while building a community. We cant do this shit in isolation and we all have had experiences which can teach younger or new fathers just by sharing them. So, if you are a dad and you got something to say, holler at me bruh. Seriously! And if you want to get yourself a copy or get one for a father here's how you do that. Go to the site

http://raddadzine.blogspot.com/ 

(My idea for the cover was to paint a young father of color, with his kids cheesin (smiling) with them trying to photo bomb of course. Because thats what your kids do when they see you trying to take a picture, lol. )

Or, you can cop it from the following distrubutors:
Ubiquity Distributors Inc. www.ubiquitymags.com

Small Changes (Northwest US)
info@smallchanges.com

OneSource Magazine Dist.
jodip@onesourcedist.com

or AK Press
www.akpress.org

Also, I will be at some of the Bay Area events so come holler at me or just come to listen and bear witness. Celebrating the Rad (Radical) Dad's!

Thursday, Feb 6th
Adobe books
7-9pm 3130 24th St , SF
Readings, mingling, community building

Saturday Feb 8th
Berkeley Farmers Market
11-1pm
Rad Dad family meet and greet with Tomas Moniz, Ariel Gore (Hip Mama) and their families

Saturday Feb 8th
Arlene Francis Center
7:30-9pm
6th St. Santa Rosa

Check the website for more events in Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland.

Rad Dad 1- Magazine re-launch

Feliz año nuevo to every one. Hey folks, I will be attending this event in San Francisco at Adobe Books (7pm-9pm) on February 6th to help promote and celebrate the release/re-launch of the new Rad Dad Magazine (alongside Hip Mama) which I will be playing a small artistic/dad role in. If you are not familiar with it, here are some basics. 

Rad Dad was founded in 2005 by Tomas Moniz to celebrate great fathers and to connect them. It talks about parents of color, teen fathers, low income dads, sex, relationships, anger, love, drugs, activists, teenagers, little kids, queer fathers, new dads, even some cool moms. Until recently, it was written, copied, printed, and stapled by hand. Now it will be turned into a full fledged magazine. And it is a freaking wonderful place to look when you are a new dad or an experienced one. Because, if things are tough as a parent single or not, who do you go to for advice? How do you release your feelings?

Too many times in the past us brothers have been reluctant to talk to each other. But like many awesome moms, we can create open spaces for talking, venting, expressing feelings, and just plain old relating. There are other fathers out there who may be going through the same experience as you. And it is helpful to know that. It's helpful, not just for your own sanity and mental health, but that of your family's. Rad Dad has published over 20 issues dealing with some of the issues I mentioned above and I read it. I loved it and that is why I contribute so I can learn, grow, and become a better father.

If you are not in the Bay Area , but would like to get a copy of the past zines, or participate in the new ones please contact me at info@robdontstop.com. As a small part of the team, I'm looking for cool dads to talk to so holler if you hear me. Here's to a new year of love, patience, hard work, and persistence. It has only just begun.

Rad Dad has been distributed by Microcosm Publishing and has been sold at zine distros and and small independent stores all across the US from California to New York City. 
-Rob

A compilation of past issues is available on AmazonAnd if you recall, I posted about the Indiegogo campaign they started last year to relaunch the zine into a magazine.
You can keep up with the site here: http://raddadzine.blogspot.com