Chris Rock by Marty Gitlin

Author:Marty Gitlin [Gitlin, Marty]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4645-1220-9
Publisher: Enslow Publishers, Inc.
Published: 2014-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

FATHERHOOD AND NEW WORK

It was June 28, 2002, when his wife, Malaak, gave birth to daughter Lola Simone. And from that moment forward, Chris Rock dedicated himself to being the finest father he could be.

It was not difficult for Rock. He scoffs at those who complain that they must sacrifice to raise their kids. He has relished the job ever since he set eyes on the new member of his family. It also brought back memories of his father and childhood.

He recalled asking himself if his dad was content raising him. Rock wondered if his father would be having more fun if he did not have to spend so much time with his kids. Rock understood from the moment he became a father that his thinking was all wrong. He learned that fun and fatherhood go hand in hand.

Speaking with National Public Radio interviewer Leke Sanusi in August 2012, well after second daughter, Zahra, was born, Rock said:

I’m fortunate. . . . I grew up, two parents, my dad was really into it, so just by osmosis, I’m just really into it. I never really looked at it as a chore or whatever. When I hear people talk about juggling, or the sacrifices they make for their children, I look at them like they’re crazy, because “sacrifice” infers that there was something better to do than being with your children.

And I’ve never been with my kids and gone, “Man, I wish I was on my stage right now.” I’ve never been with my kids and gone, “Man, it’d be so great if I was on a movie set right now.” But I’ve been doing a movie and wished that I was with my kids, I’ve been on tour and wished that I was with my kids. Being with my kids is the best, most fun thing, it’s a privilege. It’s not something I call a sacrifice.

Rock even relished the dirtiest of jobs, such as changing diapers. It brought him closer to Lola and made him realize that caring for her showed how much he cared about her. His life and career became tied to his children.

On one occasion, asthmatic daughter Zahra spent a night in the hospital. Rock never realized how frightened he could be. He realized that he would give his life to save hers. He watched his kids grow smarter and prettier, and he realized they brought great joy into his life.

But with joy brought professional responsibility. He became more motivated than ever in his career because he yearned to take care of his children emotionally and financially. He felt that he had to maximize his talent so he could provide for Lola and Zahra.

“You don’t know how good you can be at anything until you have kids,” he told Best Life magazine reporter David Keeps. “My single friends, the three or four I have, they’re always like, ‘I don’t have enough money.’ I’m like, ‘Hey have some kids, you’ll make money.’ There is something about kids that makes you make it happen.

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