By the way…:

I had the privilege to review this book before publication and I was left with a feeling of beautiful connection to my father and the wisdom he shared with me. The author addresses the challenging topics and roots his responses in love for his son in a way that reads like a love letter from Father to Son. – Amazon Review

By the way…:
An Open Letter to My African American Son
(and cheat sheet of fatherly advice)

How would you impart advice to your child if you were no longer here?
How would you guide and advise them if you suddenly were no longer around?
What would you tell them, to keep him on the straight and narrow?

When we become fathers, we often change as men, becoming more responsible and looking for every opportunity to direct and steer our children in the right direction. This is especially important when we become the father of a son and want to ensure that he grows to become a dependable adult who can be relied upon to always do the right thing.

This book, By the Way, has been written by a father who had a fear that if he was no longer there for his son, how would he ensure he was able to still give him the advice that is needed and contains advice like:

Understanding who he is as a person
The importance of family
Where religion plays its part
Physical, mental, and social wellbeing
The dangers presented by drugs, alcohol, and guns
Racism and prejudice
Dealing with the police as an African-American
And more…

Passing on good advice to their son so that they live fruitful and successful lives is what every father should aim to do. By reading the ideas contained within By the Way you can either follow the book to the letter or tweak it for your own circumstances.

Whatever way you do it, you’ll be glad you took the opportunity now and gave yourself some peace of mind for the future.

About Shabaka Gibson

I’ve been pretty much everywhere, living and working all over the United States and half a dozen countries. I’ve been fortunate to meet some amazing people and do some really cool things. I have vast experiences, climbed the socio-economic ladder, and along the way, I’ve picked up key life lessons.

I am a African American Jewish Republican. If that wasn’t complicated enough, I’m an Iraq war veteran who eventually attended an elite university after barely graduating from, no joke, the most dangerous high school in the state of Michigan (at the time). I speak Russian – where no one looks like me and served in Iraq – where some tried to kill me. I was born dirt poor in rural southeast Arkansas, yet smoked cigars with an Ambassador on the official U.S. government yacht in the South Pacific. I have seen and done a lot. Frankly, when I look up irony, the American Dream, and onions in the dictionary, I see myself. As such, I have a unique perspective on personal and professional growth, as well as, duty to and understanding of our country. More importantly, I have insight on how to navigate these issues.

I’m a recovering t-ball coach and father to one amazing son. I’ve worked around the world in both military and corporate capacities. I hold a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University, a master’s degree from the University of Chicago, and a doctorate from the University of Maryland. I also have an associates in Russian language from the Defense Language Institute and I’m a former Army Intelligence Officer. As I am now a dad to a son that I love dearly, I think that passing on knowledge and experience is our responsibility to the next generation.