You know, I really like to think that I can be a good judge of character and in the same light I've always seen Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard as a "nice guy." He smiles a lot and everybody on his team seems to vouch for him as a funny and likable guy...
He just seems to be a cool dude. I just get that feeling. Plus, he's rich. I'm saying, you really gotta go out your way to be an ass when you've made millions playing basketball (I'm aware that some players have achieved this asshole feat--but not all) but D. Howard just seems to be enjoying life.
Additionally, I can imagine that if you had millions in your bank account the world would be at your fingers when it came to you and your son, right?
And let me add, if a brother had millions I would hope that he 'd break the baby's moms off just so his son/child could live a good life, right?
Unfortunately the world doesn't seem to turn is those directions all the time, and sometimes even the nicest guy can go ballistic.
I'm saying, why else would D. Howard sue his baby's mama for 500 million?
Possibly because she has pushed him to the point where he really wants to slap her... Instead he appears to be slapping her with his wallet. Yes, there is a point/edge/verge in every man and unfortunately some women strive to push a brother there.
No, I don't know the details, but I could imagine from first hand experience.
Can't we all just get along as parents? Meaning: Can't we just agree to parent cordially and move in our own directions? Why must there be tension between the 2 people a child loves (or should love) the most?
Yup, I've seen the dark side, and it ain't pretty. If I had a high powered lawyer to sue my oldest son's mother's I'm sure I would. But I wouldn't do it if we could just co-parent.
To make it plain: I ain't seen my son in 3 months, and it ain't because I've been dodging him, or because I beat him etc... It's because his mother has the ability to sit back and condone him not coming for whatever 13-year-old reason he believes in right now.
To say the least, I'm hurt/angry/and disappointed that his mother would stoop so low to even allow my son to excommunicate me on her watch.
This is where you think of how much of an asshole DPM is... And sure I got some asshole in me (we all do), but I've worked really hard to put that to the side when it comes to my son. I've always been there for him in any way possible.
But now my son doesn't return my mother's calls, nor does he speak with anyone in my family? Grandma? Really? Wow.....
All I'm saying is that this is bigger than me, which allows me to see the possible bigger scenario in the D. Howard situation.
Overall, it stems from one dysfunction: our inability to communicate with sensitivity regarding the child involved.
In Howard's case he has more money than the general rest of us... I think Biggie Smalls said it best, "Mo' money, mo' problems." So this isn't just a typical blemish that goes unseen by the world--like my family court battles. But this is an ugly pimple for the world to see how us black parents get along.
Damn, damn, damn......