reframing the roles of black fatherhood

A powerful new film from Dads Evoking Change and Represent Collaborative raises awareness about the challenges Black and brown fathers face navigating the family court system—and the strength and dedication they show fighting them for the sake of their kids. 

“It becomes disheartening because it's like, man, I'm up here just trying to fight for things to be equal….She's my daughter, and I just want to make sure that I'm cemented in her life,” says Lionel Berry Preston, who felt like he was swimming upstream trying to secure equal time with his daughter, Le'ani, now 5. 

According to a recent study by the Institute for Research on Poverty, most low-income fathers of color navigate the civil court system without any legal representation. This phenomenon is referred to as the “justice gap” — when low-income litigants don’t have access to the same level of representation as Americans with more financial means. Unsurprisingly, the group of low-income Americans most affected by the “justice gap” is disproportionately composed of people of color.

The stakes are made exponentially higher when you factor in the bias of judges, lawyers, and even administrators working in the court system. The prevailing stereotype of the “deadbeat dad” can make dedicated fathers who are involved, caring and advocating for more time with their children feel invisible, and can lead to biased treatment in the courtroom. 

Carlos Rosario went to court when his son was two years old and battled the family court system for ten years in order to keep his son with him. “When I walked in the courtroom I could feel them looking down on me. It’s a lonely feeling, that no one is out to help you.” 

Written By Erin Feher