Shameless Daddy's Girl

g. mckinley says . . .
I am soooo psyched about this project. My daddy ALWAAAYS said "You can do it. Nobody can stop you." So I'm giving it a whirl. Let me know what your daddy told you. Just send your daddyism to me at glenda@gmcadvertising.com. Please, please don't forget to let me know how to reach you.

Be Cheery

Sarah McGriff, Baton Rouge says . . .

My dad has always shared the biblical scripture Proverbs 17:22:

A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.


it's just a great reminder of how everyone should live their lives to the fullest and never give up.

Brain beats Brawn

Roland S. Martin says . . .

My daddy always said, "Forget about sports and get your education."

Serena Williams says,

My daddy always said, "In order to get ahead you've gotta know your past"

Hold Back the Tears

Pat Viser, Shreveport, LA says . . .

My daddy always said, "crying is for sissies," ( which I’ve grown to disagree with.)

Book Worm

Judy O. Williams says:

My Daddy always said “Read everything, all kinds of books, not just what you like but books about things you don’t know. Educate yourself.” He was so right.

My Daddy Always Said Change is Coming to America

It Ain't All Good

David says . . .

My grandfather always said, "Every dollar ain't a good dollar." With his sixth grade education he went from living on a plantation, to owning a plantation house.

g. note: Ain't that the truth. Woohoo for Pops!! (Pls Send a photo to glenda@gmcadvertising.com, would love to post it.)

D. Marsalis, NOLA says . . .

My daddy always said, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it thirsty."

g. note: Delfeayo Marsalis is the third youngest of the renowned and prodigious jazz family from New Orleans. 

Daddy's Worse Nightmare

G. Sibley Gordon says . . .

My Daddy always said, "Nobody better show me a Hustler magazine and say "Isn't this your daughter?'"

Obama Mama

Anonymous says . . .

My daddy always said "Know who to root for."
Click on the title of this post to hear Senator Obama's speech on race in his own words.

The Wrath

R. Stodghill, Charlotte, NC says,

"Thou shall never deny thy elder the final piece of fried chicken, or thou shall face a fortnight of wrath and a plague of canceled playdates."

One Letter Away

Travis Johnson say . . .

My mother always said, "Anger is one letter away from Danger."

(G. Note- I told the brother this blog was a tribute to fathers, but . . .oh well, it's my blog so I get to bend the rules. Anyway, I thought this was good enough to post no matter who said it. )

He Chuckled Then Said . . .

Al Sharpton, Harlem, USA says . . .

My daddy always said, "Be successful."

G. note - I met Brother Al passing through the airport on his way to speak at the "State of the Black Union" in New Orleans. Click on the title of this post to visit the National Action Network website.

You Asked for It

Josh Mayer says. . .
My daddy always said, "When you're up to your ass in alligators, remember your goal was to drain the swamp."

Speaking of Asses

G. Dunn, ATL say . . .

My daddy always said, "CYA -Cover Yo' Ass."

No Freebies

T.D., Norfolk, VA says . . .

My daddy always said, "Don't give away free what you're trying to sell." Could somebody please tell me what he meant!!

Blabbermouth

Ciao says . . .

My daddy always says . . . "Loose lips sink ships." Keep your mouth shut.

How Far Can U Go?

Anonymous says . . .

My daddy always said, "Your attitude determines your latitude."

Sweet Talkin' Daughter

P.A. Taylor says . . .

My daddy always said, "Patricia Ann, you can talk the sweetening out of sweet bread." I could sweet talk him out of anything!

How cold is it?

g. note - When it reaches 40 degrees or lower (like it has been the last few days) my daddy calls with the morning forecast and says . . .

"Whew, It's cold outside . . . colder than a whore's heart."

Honor your commitments

Emmy Lu, ATL by way of Los Angeles, by way of Ghana says . . .

My daddy always said, "Always come through." If you say you're going to do something, do it!

The King of Peace

g. note - It is only fitting that we pause and reflect on the father of the Civil Rights Movement whose words changed a nation. Click on the title of this post to view a collection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s thought provoking speeches. All of these speeches are full length textual versions and each one is truly amazing. I hope you enjoy them.

D is for Denial and Down Low

Anonymous says . . .

My daddy (who was the most homophobic person in the world) always said, "I got two boys (sons) and they both like girls." . . . or so he thought.

Do I Look Like Something's Wrong?!

M. Salaam says . . .
Whenever I asked him what's the matter, My Daddy Always Said, "Do you see a crowd around me?!"

Stupid Is As Stupid Says

S. "18 Wheeler" Hester says . . .
My grandfather, who we affectionately called "Big Daddy," always said,

"If you don't open your mouth, no one will know you're stupid."

He was also fond of saying to people who proclaimed they loved him but there was no evidence of it:

" I can't hear what you're saying for seeing what you're doing."

g. says . . .
My grandaddy always says "It's a poor rat that's got but one hole."

g. note - I had a great visit with my grandparents today. They just bought at new home (yes, at 97 and 94 years of age) in Marksville, LA. Here's a pic of my son with his great-grandfather.

Shoot or be Shot

Anonymous says . . .

My daddy always said, "Don't pull out a gun unless you plan to use it."


g. note - Good advice.

100% Off

k. Nabonne says . . .

My dad, Warren "Chico" Nabonne, always said "If you don't go to the sale, you'll save 100%."

Be Around Your People

Cheryl B. L.A. says . . .
My daddy always said, "All y'all are going to HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)." And we all did.

g. note - HBCUs are a source of accomplishment and great pride for the African American community as well as the entire nation. Click on the title of this post for a complete listing of HBCUs

Two No-No's

Joey M., Los Angeles says . . .
Two things my daddy always said, "Never let a friend drive your car or take your girlfriend home."

You Can't Take It With You

Reuben says . . .
My daddy always said, "I've never seen a U-Haul following a hearse."



(g. note - Hmm, well maybe you can try.)

Anonymous says . . .

My daddy always says, "I did the best I could with what I had and what I knew."

Keep Your Sanity

A.V. says . . .

My daddy always said, "It's a fine line between sanity and insanity. Make sure you don't cross the line because it's hard to get back over."

Puppy love

Bella D. says . . .
My daddy always said, "If you play with a puppy he'll lick you in the mouth."


I used to tell my sisters "I think daddy wants a puppy" not realizing that he meant be careful about getting too familiar with people.

(g. note - That's just too funny.)

Cover Both Sides

Anonymous says . . .

My daddy always said, "You better stop worrying about your front and start watching your back." (When I was a newly elected public official.)

Mopped in

Panty Rose, Portsmouth, VA says . . .

My daddy always said, "Don't mop yourself in a corner."

Doggone gossip

Anonymous says. . .

My daddy always said, "Remember, a dog that will bring a bone will carry one back." (Re: fraternizing with gossipy people)

Happy Birthday, Dad

g. note - Today is my father's birthday and I am so thankful to have him. I know he's not reading this because he refuses to own a computer. Once I bought him one and when I went to visit him expecting to see it set up, it was in the hall closet still in the box. But, sometimes you can overhear him bragging about this great blog his daughter started in honor of African American fathers, like he's the most computer savvy guy. At least I know he's proud. Happy Birthday to a classically cool, old school brother, and my dearest friend . . . from a shameless daddy's girl.


Dad and his girls. . . one crazy bunch.

Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way

Melvin Baker says . . .

My daddy always said “It Takes a Wise Man to Know When to Lead and When to Follow”

Black Men Must Reclaim Our Children

Interesting article by Roland Martin. Check it out by clicking on the title. g

Anonymous says . . .

My daddy always said, "Don't get it crooked." His way of setting you straight on one issue or another.

Don't Mess with Debbie

Debbie L., New Orleans says . . .
My daddy always said, "If anybody mess with you call ME." I was his only daughter and he didn't play.

Victor Holt, President of V-Tech Solutions, DC, says . . .
My daddy always said, "If you have lived, you've been a devil."


(g. note - Oh, I get it . . .lived spelled backwards. Clever!)

Victor's daughter says . . .
My daddy always says, "Win the day!"

Shush

S. Martin says . . .
When I talked too much my daddy always said, "Shush, little girl, a still tongue makes a wise head."

g. says . . .

My daddy always said, "What did the dog say when they cut off his tail? . . . It won't be long now." Whenever we would get impatient and ask questions such as "are we there yet?"

Mary Lee McKay says . . .

My daddy always said, you can't make a race horse out of a jackass.

(g. note - Yes, I went there.)

Unlikely Pair

Joy Thomas Moore, Pasadena, MD, says

My daddy always said, "Always be wise as a serpent . . . harmless as a dove - Rev. Dr. James J. Thomas

Common Sense

K.C. Burton Baltimore, MD says . . .

My daddy always said, "I may not be smart, but I'm sure not stupid."

The Other Side

Anonymous says . . .
My daddy always said "You ain't shit."
My goal is to change my family's legacy. I tell my daughter to jump from the top step and I ALWAYS catch her.
(g.note - Congrats on having the vision to break bad cycles.)

Play Ball

Reggie B., Seattle, WA says . . .

My Daddy always said "Play more, live longer". He was a fitness enthusiast who worked for the Park Department. he felt everyone should exercise as a means to be happy and healthy.

1-2 Punch

Richard Polite, Dallas, says . . .
My daddy always said, "Don't start a fight, just finish it."

Bee-ware

Vincent Sylvain says . . .
My daddy always said, "Son, you can't mess with the beekeeper's honey and not get stung." In other words, leave other people's property alone.

Straight Face

Alandas Dobbins, proud daughter of George Dobbins Jr., Memphis says. . .

My daddy always said "Look life in the eye and don't blink." He passed in October of 2006, but as head of sales of our telecommunication company that is what he taught us and that is how he lived his life; unabashed, unashamed, proud, black, and strong.

Big Chief Speaks

Cherice Harrison-Nelson says . . .
My Daddy, the late Donald Harrison, Sr., use to say, "What ever you do be comfortable admitting you did it. Don't do it, if you don't want to own it."

Donald Harrison, Sr.
Big Chief Guardians of the Flame
January 27, 1933 - December 1, 1998

My Grandfather

g. says . . .
Had an interstesting conversation with my 97-year old grandfather today who says "Pray Everyday." He also mentioned that he's observed that we're becoming regressive as a race adding with stern indignation "At 97 I'm qualified to speak on the issue." ALSO . . . "Y'all can become anything else you want, but I've been Colored, Negro, Black, Afro-American, and African-American, but I ain't changing no more cause what you're called doesn't seem to change a thing."

Know Thy Banker

Keith M. says . . .
My daddy always said "Establish banking relationships. Go into the bank and shake somebody's hand."

Simone n. says . . .

My daddy always says "Free yourself, be yourself."

I Aint Playing

R. Humphrey, Portsmouth, VA, says . . .

My daddy always said "Say what you mean and mean what you say."

Trust

B. Whitfield, San Diego, says . . .

My daddy always said "Never trust anyone."

(g. note- I hope that tuna didn't trust him. I happen to know this is one of the nicest, most trusting guys in Cali.)

No Regrets

Anonymous says . . .

My daddy always said "Avoid living your life in such a way that you will either regret what you didn't do or what you did do."

Can't Change People

L. Rad says . . .

My daddy always said (when you get married) "you have to be willing to accept the person the way they are, THAT DAY . . . You can't change people."

Know Your Value

R. Samples, St. Paul, says . . .
My daddy always said "Only the birds sing for free."

Money Talks

Anonymous says . . .
My grandaddy always said "Always have ready cash."

Learn Well

Wayne E. Wright saya . . .

My father Walter C. Wright said "The common denominator for any task in life is a good education".

No Worries

Terri D-Mc says . . .

My father always says, "Relax, God is in control, and that's a Beautiful thing"!

Resolve Yourself

Anonymous says . . .
My daddy always said "You gotta close old doors before you open new ones."

Yoga Dad

Eve P. Chicago, IL says . . .
When I would get really upset my daddy always said "Take a moment and breathe before you react."

(g. note - This chick's breathing fire.)

Try and Try Again

T. Mercadel says . . .
My daddy always says "You may have to try 1,000 different opportunities, jobs, women before you find the one that's right for you. But, if you don't keep trying, you'll never find the one."

g.note - 1000 women? I sure hope not :-o

Make Nice

M.L.McKay says , , ,
My daddy always said "be nice to the people you meet on your way up, you just might need them on your way down."

Anonymous says . . .
My daddy always said:

It Comes With a Price

Sheri L. says . . .
My daddy always said "Nothing worthwhile in life is easy, nothing is free, there is always a price."

Hard Work

Gretta Roque Burns says . . .
My daddy always said "hard work never killed anybody."

(g. note - Sometimes I sure feel like it's killin' me.)

Anonymous says . . .
My Daddy always said "Accept YOUR reality."

No Middle Man

Claudette Spencer, New Orleans says . . .
My father always said: "When you want to get something done – don’t go to the man in the middle – go to the man at the top!"

PIck One

Anonymous says . . .
My daddy always said "You can't have insanity and peace. Those two things don't go together."

On the Edge

Marcia says . . .
My daddy always said "If you keep walking to the edge of the cliff and falling over, one day you'll back your ass up."