Sunday, June 22, 2008

Barack Obama was right about black men

I'm sure by now that you have all heard Barack Obama's speech on Father's Day weekend about black father's stepping up to the plate and being more involved in their children's lives.

But what you really have not heard are attacks against Barack Obama's comments from many of those who attacked Bill Cosby. Now there are a few who voiced their negative opinions some blogs going as far as to say he betrayed have his race ( http://www.blackagendareport.com ) But many have not said much. You know why?

Because Barack Obama is right.

Now some may say he is just pandering to white conservatives in order to get their votes but so what if he is. His message is not any less true.

We need our black men involved in our children's lives so that black boys know how to be a good man and black girls have an idea of what a god man is.

There is no disputing the reports that children who have fathers involved in their education do better as a group. There is no disputing that these same children are less likely to end up in prison. There is no disputing that these children are less likely to grow up in poverty.

Black men we owe it to our children to make sure that they do better than we did. The true measure of a man is not how tough you are, what kind of car you have, how much money you have. It's not any of that. It's how you take care of "Yours". The true measure of a man is how you ensure your children's future.

That being said, let's not forget that the MAJORITY of black fathers do the right thing. Yeah, I know about the 70% number of black children born to single mothers but that does not equate to 70% of black men not being involved in their children's lives. That only means that they don't live with the mother.

One last point. It's just not black men that need to step up. If you have ever been to a PTA meeting or Parent/Teacher Night forget color just count the number of men that are there. I'm sure women will outnumber them at least 3 to 1 if not more. So while this is an issue that has the spotlight shining on black fathers it is not unique to them.

To all the good black fathers out there keep doing what you are doing and set the example. Although you are rarely acknowledged even by our own I just want to let you know that you are appreciated.

George Cookwww.letstalkhonestly.com

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