Fathers Make the Difference in Children's Lives
The front-page photograph on your August 30, 2012 issue, of Ward 5 Council member Kenyan McDuffie walking his daughters to school on opening day was one of the best photographs I've seen in your paper in some time.
My reason for saying this is that it brought back so many memories of when my daughters were young and I would walk them to school. As a single parent, I took a very active and supportive role in the education of my daughters. I believe parents, especially the fathers, should be very visible in the educational process of their children.
When fathers are involved everyone seems to be more attentive – the administration, the teachers and the students. I will never forget the look in my daughters' eyes when I would help out in their classrooms doing whatever the teacher asked me to do. It showed them that what they do everyday is important and that their father would take a day off from work to be involved in what they do. My daughters are both college graduates and I hope that when they have children of their own, they will be involved in their children's education like I was with theirs.
Robert Bailey
Washington, D.C.
Lessons Learned from Art
Kudos to the Washington Informer for your insightful story on Willard Wigan. The story by Barrington Salmon published in your August 30 edition was a truly wonderful read.
While Wigan is not a household name in this part of the world, his work appears to be extraordinary. Our children could learn a lot from his victory over the odds and his unwillingness to fall victim to ignorance and racism. I'm sorry I missed the opening at the Parish Gallery but I'll be sure to visit the exhibit before it leaves the District.
Robert Mallory
Hyattsville, Md.
