It’s telling that Barack comes to the conclusion that the real issue here is that his father never spoke openly with anyone, especially his children. Openness, he seems to suggest, is how people can form robust, caring family structures and community, something the Old Man could have really used when he fell on hard times. As Barack looks back on his relationships with Lolo and Gramps, he also begins to reaffirm that any man can step in as a father and help lead children toward adulthood. Their skin color matters less than the fact that they were present.