With Father’s Day coming up this weekend, Savannah’s Mayor Van Johnson took time at his weekly press briefing on Wednesday (June 12) to call for “equality” when it comes to the June 16 holiday. Among Johnson’s public speaking tendencies are his comedic segway efforts, and this was his latest (and perhaps) best attempt.

“(Dads) have enough socks, okay? They have enough T-shirts.”

Johnson compared the rituals of Mother’s Day to those of Father’s Day, jokingly advising children to avoid socks and pajamas as presents for dad. Another Johnson trademark – his willingness to openly relay raw feelings in real time – was also on display. The mayor acknowledged personal struggles, as he prepares for the first Father’s Day since his dad’s passing in January.

Click on the YouTube video to watch some of Johnson’s Father’s Day comments. His quotes can be read in their entirety below.

“I know you all go out for Mother’s Day. Go hard for the fathers too, please. I mean, it’s amazing because everybody wants to take mom out to eat, and then we want to cook at home for dads. I’m asking for equality for the dads. I want to put that out there and find a way. This week, I’m asking, in Savannah, for Fathers Equality Day. On Mother’s Day, people are outside waiting when they are taking mothers out to eat, and then on Father’s Day, you can go wherever you want to go because y’all want to cook a home-cooked meal. No. Take your fathers out to eat.”
“And let me tell you something else – I think I’m speaking for a lot of dads – they have enough socks. They have enough socks, okay? They have enough t-shirts. They’re not wearing those pajamas that you’re buying for them, even though they appreciate it. But go out there and put some money on dad this year.”
“I say this as someone who lost my dad this year. It will be bittersweet to experience a Father’s Day without my dad. And so I’m figuring out how to navigate that. I know that there are people who have (navigated that) and so I’ll get through it the best way I can. But as someone who does not have his dad in the physical anymore, take time to love up on your dad this year. And if you’re giving (him) cash, don’t ask for the cash back right after you give it to him. In memory of my dad, I’m going hard for dads this year. You know, dads are very, very special people and they occupy a very special place in our lives. And I know my dad taught me how to be a man.”

This article appears in Connect Savannah I June 2024.