Opinion

A little boy asked why his dad doesn't like him. His words broke my heart

Rooftop Revelations: Too often, we fail to build the boy before the streets define manhood for him

By Corey Brooks Fox News

Published October 13, 2026 10:00am EDT

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Rooftop Revelations: An 11-year-old asked why his father doesn't want him

Pastor and Project H.O.O.D. founder Corey Brooks says that we often fail to build the boy before the streets define manhood for him.

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One of our young men came back from a day with the boys and told me he had to step away, so the child would not see him cry. The child, an 11-year-old with a buzzed head and a gap-tooth smile, told the young man that he loves coming around us because we feel like his uncles. Then the child got quiet. He said he gets sad sometimes because his dad never wants to talk to him or see him. What made the young man tear up was that the child then said that he hopes his father is doing good. "But why doesn’t my dad like me?"

We all love this young boy and there is nothing not to like about him. He is good to his mother. He tries hard at school. He stands up to bullies and takes care of those around him. This boy is only 11. He is asking for guidance. He is asking for adults to guide him. If we don’t step up, the........

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