Father's Day 2020 : Celebration In Times Of Mourning & Insecurities

by Preeti Viswanathan

This year has thrown virtually everyone into unchartered waters. We’re facing an unprecedented global health crisis while watching a historic reckoning with regressive and racist institutions.

But even as the world adjusts to the COVID19 pandemic and the United States confronts systemic racism, some things stay the same. It can be odd to drink a cup of coffee or go for a bike ride while thinking about the world transforming around you, but life is always paradoxical—routine and normalcy alongside massive transformation.

This week, families across the country will celebrate Father’s Day. As 2020 graduates have found, seeking creative ways to celebrate and mark milestones is important, even as normalcy is upended.

This year, we’re thinking about ways to celebrate family and fathers, while recognizing that the country is mourning a man, George Floyd, who was also a father—one of the many unarmed people of color who will not celebrate Father’s Day again.

Mourning and celebration can, and often do, coexist. In that vein, we are highlighting some ways to celebrate June 21^st while also honoring this unique moment in history—and those who have been lost, marginalized, or assaulted.

Father’s Day Activism and Education:

Black Americans are incarcerated at 5 times the rate of white Americans, and are much more likely to be imprisoned for nonviolent crimes. For Father’s day, consider donating to a bail fund seeking to pay the bail of black fathers incarcerated for nonviolent crimes.

Similarly, families at the US border continue to be detained and separated from family members—something that has become all the more dangerous with the emergence of COVID-19. Consider donating on behalf of a dad in your life to an organization such as the Migrant Center for Human Rights or Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES). 

Donating is not the only way to support the vital causes sweeping the nation right now. Consider signing and sharing the petition to bring the men who shot Breonna Taylor in her home to justice. Or, for a family with young kids, considering buying a book written by a person of color that highlights the history or importance of racial justice. Ibram X. Kendi, the author of “How to be an Antiracist,” which is selling out in book stores across the country, just released a book called “Antiracist Baby”—studies have shown that even babies and toddlers benefit from learning about race and equality early.

For when you need a break:

After educating and donating, it’s still important to laugh and relax. We have a few Father’s Day suggestions for that as well!

If you have a dad in your life who is glued to the tv during the Tour de France or who watched the new Lance documentary the day it was released, did you know you can buy him a personalized message from a pro cyclist for as little as $10?

Cameo is an app that allows fans to buy personalized messages from celebrities, and it’s chock-full of professional cyclists.

While his fee is a bit more pricey, a Cameo from Phil Gaimon could be extra special. Phil is a former pro-athlete turned social media star who is the world record holder for “Everesting” a ride—that is, biking 8,848 meters, the total elevation of Everest, in 7:52:12.

He is donating 100% of his proceeds from Cameo to No Kid Hungry, an organization that strives to end child hunger in the US. With coronavirus, this mission has become all the more critical.

If you are looking to get out of the house, elevate your Father’s Day Ride by having the family download Strava, an app that allows you to track activity such as running, biking, skiing, etc. On Strava, you can search your area for “segments,” or stretches of road, trail, or pathway that people compete for a spot on the Top 10 leaderboard. If you have older kids, everyone can go out on their bike, turn on Strava, and race on these segments—after your ride you can analyze your route and see who went fastest!

Finally

Whatever you choose to do for Father’s Day, we hope you will stay safe and healthy. At Kulie Bike Bags Bags, we are committed to helping make the outdoors and bike commuting accessible, and we stand behind those fighting for their rights to live happy, healthy lives free from prejudice and danger.