Me growing up with my dad, my dad wasn't too affectionate. Like, I don't think he has
ever told me that he loves me, and I'm fine with that, you know? I've never really told them that I love them, but I do love them. Growing up, even though
my father never expressed verbally how much he loved
me, it gave me a different mindset of when I had my
own kids to make sure that I did express that to them
so that they do know how much I love them and how much I care for them. How would you describe your relationship with your dad? He's kind of someone that isn't very expressive with his emotions. My dad he's a very
serious person and he's a, doesn't like to joke around at all. No, I don't think I've ever
heard my dad say I love you. What's up man? *laughter* What are you doing here? Wow you guys didn't tell me. Hey. They're making you famous? Well yes. Dad, I have a letter for you. A letter, alright. Dad, growing up in a
place like this is tough. We live in a place where
fireworks and gunshots are just an indistinguishable noise. We can sleep through sirens and helicopters, gang
members are our neighbors, and even stepping
outside can be dangerous. Pops, I wish there were
enough words to express how thankful for you I am. As I continue to grow I realize just how much of you
is a part of who I am. You got through the gangs
and the violence and became a stronger person, and didn't
stoop to the low levels of the society has created. Through all of this,
you decided to have me, and raise me, to be better
than the people around us. I'll do something and I'll think, wow, I'm just like my dad. It was kind of annoying at
first, but now I feel so lucky that we're alike. Making the decision to take on fatherhood at such a young age is one
thing, but taking it on with such focus and dedication takes heart. I can remember you taking me to the movies when you barely had enough money. You couldn't afford to take me to Knotts or Disneyland like the other kids, but you took me to fish stores,
to stare at fish for hours. That became one of our best
father and son activities. You showed me that even living
in a place like this you can do great things and become a great person. And that's what you're
trying to show, not just me, but the community of
South Central and L.A. You're not only been a role model to me, but to the people of L.A.,
who can't find a lot of people to look up to around here. You're done showing me what's
best so now you have to move on to the community and teach
them everything you taught me by setting aside differences and helping everyone come
together as a community. I love you, Dad. Thanks for everything. I love you too, Erick. Come here. I'm proud to be your son and I'm thankful for the blessing of
the father that I have. I love you so much, Pops. Thank you. I love you. I love you. Phew, I got a little bit
emotional, like you know, hearing all that. I don't really hear too much
positive things about me too much, you know, but
it's good to hear them. You know, that's one of the
things about being a father, like you never really told
that you're doing a good job, you just gotta hope and pray
that you are doing a good job, and, I think, just looking at my son, like, I'm very proud of him. You know it makes you
feel proud as a father because, like I said, your
job as a father is to guide your children to be better people, to be better than you are.
