Obama Says Black Fathers Can Do Better
By Alan Stewart Carl | Related entries in 2008 Election, Barack, RaceOver Father’s Day, Barack Obama delivered a strong message to black fathers: do better.
”They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it.”
He also added:
”We can’t simply write these problems off to past injustices. Those injustices are real. There’s a reason our families are in disrepair … but we can’t keep using that as an excuse.”
As heartfelt and personal as Obama’s message was (his own father left, after all), no speech in a political campaign is said without forethought and intent. Notably, Obama specifically called black fathers to task rather than focusing on the problem of absentee fathers of all races.
For most of this campaign, Obama has resisted making race an issue (except when he’s had to). And yet, yesterday, he took a moment to be more of a black leader than a presidential candidate.
Will we see more of this Bill Cosby style criticism of the black community? Probably not. But I’ll be interested to see what, if any, reactions come out of Obama’s Father’s Day speech.
This entry was posted on Monday, June 16th, 2008 and is filed under 2008 Election, Barack, Race. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
June 16th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
It’s disturbing that Sen. Obama would make those misguided blanket comments in criticizing the character of Black Men. It unacceptable and inexcusable. I thought he trying to be Commander in Chief not
Commander in Therapist. He insulted the plethora of Black Men from all wallks of life who are there everyhour of everyday. Just because he’s black doesn’t give him the right to make those type of statements. Black folk already know what their problems are, we don’t need you in your omniscienct views feeding into stereotypes. Elitist?
June 16th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
The truth is hard to swallow. Sen. Obama is absolutely correct. He specifically made a call to African-American men who are absentee fathers - blaming everyone from society, to other races, to the mothers of their children, and even their own mothers for why they have not accomplished what they would like to in life. And while this self-indulging pity-party is taking place - the children suffer. No one needs to applaud the men or women who are there everyday - taking care of one’s children should be a given. I have never once walked down the street and had someone say to me “You know - I would like to applaud you for being an African American woman who takes care of her children!” Expectations for applause and commendations for raising our children, that is a clear indication that this is not the norm - and this needs to be addressed.
However, I suspected when I heard the Senator’s speech that many African-Americans would be unhappy with what he said. What he is proving with every step of his campaign is that excuses are no longer acceptable - there really is no limit to what we can do as a race if we stop blaming everyone else and take action and responsibility for our lives.
June 17th, 2008 at 12:42 am
It’s simply shocking that no black political leader has said anything about this up until now. Absentee fathers are the number one problem facing the black community today.Funny how when Bill Cosby said this he was criticized by at least half of the black community.
But now, an African-Americans chances at the White House are at stake. Look to most balck leaders to fall in line behind Barack.
At least something good may come out of what has so far been a candidacy void of substance and trademarked by empty, meaningless calls for reform.