Mr. Obama and Mr. Holder, Enough With the Black Father and Black Men Lectures
by Phillip DavisFebruary 2, 2010
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I'll get right to the point, the bottom line is this, "Put your money where your mouth is." Fatherlessness and the tragic consequences of fatherlessness are not issues exclusively owned by Black men and Black fathers. To continuously point to the Black father and/or the lack thereof and the lack of Black men caring for their children, as the cause for the decline in the Black family, as though you are telling us something new, is no more than telling a person who knows that they are sick, that you have a made great discovery, they're sick.
Statistic and common sense observation tells us where the problem lies in the African-American community. Bill Cosby and others have spoken about the issue of fatherlessness. I along with others have written about the issue.
Mr. President and Mr. Holder, we know the problem. You, making speeches to Black fathers who are good fathers and men who are committed to being better fathers, does nothing to make the situation better.
Here is what I would offer as a start on the long journey to solve some of the social ills in the African-American community, steaming from the issue of fatherlessness and broken families:
1. Let's officially declare "Fatherlessness" a national crisis and treat it like it is, putting some of the billions of bail out dollars behind the problem. Why not put establish the Office of Fatherhood and place a Fatherhood Czar over it?
2. Since the federal government is able to exert its influence over banks; car manufacturers and other industries...let's have the federal government do the same when it comes to major construction companies and build a workforce of Black men to rebuild the infrastructures of our cities.
3. Let's reverse your position on same-sex marriage; gay-rights and partner benefits and use some of the money set aside for the promotion and protection of those choices individuals are making, which essentially tear down the moral fabric of the family and let's use those funds to support programs and projects in the private sector and in the faith-based community, which would build the family structure and encourage the Black father to be responsible.
I have many more specific suggestions, however my point is this, with all due respect, the lectures are getting old. It about time for you to put your money where your mouth is!
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