All Dad asked for was an opportunity to compete.

Lloyd Marcus writes in American Thinker,

At 87, Dad is as mentally sharp as ever. It occurred to me the importance of preserving Dad on video for future generations. Mom passed 20 years ago. Unfortunately, many of Mom's grandkids never experienced her other than in pictures.

Dad sang in gospel quartets as far back as I can remember, but never recorded. So, I wanted to capture Dad singing on a recording. I approached music producer Earl (Luther B) Baker to arrange an upbeat version of the classic, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” for Dad to record along with his five kids (me and my four younger siblings).

Though, I never said it out loud, I was concerned. Was it too late in Dad's life? At 87, could he still sing? Despite it being his first time recording and his age, Dad delivered a passionate soul-stirring performance in one take.

Dad named our singing group, “Daddy and the Marcus Five.” I proudly present this music video of us performing, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus.”



...In the interview, Dad gave the humiliating details of being among a handful of blacks who broke the color barrier in the 1950s to become Baltimore City firefighters. He explains how he won Firefighter of the Year two times. Dad later became Baltimore's first black paramedic and first black fire department chaplain.

Keep in mind folks, this was the 1950s, when racism against blacks truly was an issue. And yet, whenever a door opened for blacks, Dad prepared himself, applied, and walked through it. This is how he achieved so many firsts -- among the first black firefighters, first black paramedic, and first black fire department chaplain. He never sought special concessions or lowered standards due to his race. All Dad asked for was an opportunity to compete.

...Both the music video and interview with my dad have gotten rave reviews from most of the millennials in my family. I pray that they absorb the valuable lesson of Dad's remarkable life which is America is the greatest land of opportunity on the planet for all who choose to go for it. Ignore Democrats and the liberal lie that white America is out to destroy and murder blacks. Simply prepare yourself, make the right decisions, and go for your dreams.

Sadly, a handful of millennials in my family remain bewitched with idolatry for Obama. They perceive me as their traitorous Uncle Tom uncle.

Unquestionably, I know I was divinely inspired to produce the music video and interview honoring my dad and preserving his legacy. Thus, I place the impact of both in God's hands.

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