aziz
-
07:53:28 am on June 16, 2008 | # | |
Obama had something to say on Father’s Day:
“We need fathers to realize that responsibility does not end at conception,” Obama said to the Apostolic Church of God church in Chicago, “What makes you a man is not the ability to have a child – any fool can have a child, that doesn’t make you a father – it’s the courage to raise one that makes you a father.”
The Illinois senator said that too many fathers in the African American community are MIA in their families – acting like boys rather than men – and the foundations of the family and the community has suffered. Obama – himself a father of two – laid out three areas where fathers must parent better: by setting high expectations for their children, instilling the value of empathy, and passing on the value of hope.
However, Tariq Nelson is skeptical, pointing out that there’s not much apart from speeches that Obama can actually do personally about the problem of absentee fathers. Still, I think it is worth something that he is using the immensely powerful bully pulpit that he has, to make the case. A young African American male, growing up without positive male role models at home, might just hear what Obama is saying and take it to heart. Even a few words, if spoken early enough, can move mountains.
-
Tag this post
Comments
Leave a Comment
Tariq Nelson 11:57 am on June 16, 2008 | #
It is not only that he is paying lip service to this, but policy-wise he is supporting policies and groups that are hostile to Fatherhood and (tough love) policies that could be helpful to solving the problems. This is why I say that he is full of crap
aziz 1:19 pm on June 16, 2008 | #
i did notice that he was proposing stronger penalties against deadbeat dads, among other things (with Evan Bayh). Agreed that these are generally “feel good” solutions that dont really do much to address the underlying problem. But what specifically can Obama really propose? What would you like to see him propose in terms of legislation?
I think that the fatherhood issue, especially in the black community, is more a symptom of a deeper underlying cause, namely the severe economic disadvantage that the black community still suffers from. No one can reasonably claim, even if Obama is elected president, that the effects of slavery and racism have now been eradicated. That truly was America’s original sin. That doesnt mean that a permanent victim mentality is justfied either, but I am sayig only that much of the problem will only be resolved when these deeper structural problems are ameliorated. And thats something that can be done, via enactment of progressive policy as regards to education, jobs, etc. Which Obama will be in a better position to enact, certainly far better than McCain.
Tariq Nelson 6:39 pm on June 16, 2008 | #
One of the things that Obama denies is that the illegal immigration of cheap labor has hurt legal black American workers. He instead chalked it up to discrimination and said he’d work to stop discrimination in one of hte debates. Even Hillary at least acknowledged that this is a problem, whereas he denied it outright and blamed racism.
He also speaks about the out of control crime in the black neighborhoods but opposes tough policies desperately needed to fight out of control crime in black communities. He’d rather pay lip service and complain about the crime problem, then when black criminals are arrested, he complains that the system is racist against them. He (and others) want to have it both ways on this issue. We need to be tough - very tough - on crime. Crime is far too acceptable in the black community. (This may not seem connected to Fatherhood, but it has everything to do with it)
I heard Newt Gingrich (gasp!) propose some good ideas such as full scholarships for children that graduate high school early and letting teenagers work tax free. All of these are the types of ideas I think will help. The point is that we need to take steps that encourage good behavior and implment harsh punishment for making the wrong choices. I don’t see that in Obama
VICTORIA 7:51 am on June 17, 2008 | #
the system IS racist against black men though- to pretend it’s not is to delude ourselves, make ourselves feel comfortable- but doesn’t address the underlying problem.
statistically, whites are proportionately larger consumers of illegal drugs- but blacks are disproportionately imprisoned for drug related crimes.
our prison system is bulging with black men- men who will leave it no better prepared to function than when they entered- these are many of the absentee fathers- these are the role models for the next generation-
what about giving them the training and tools to facilitate their own re-engineering of their own enclaves of society-
train them to be counselors- give them some hope for their own future-
you are talking about harsher penalties- and pay lip service to the “encouraging of good behavior”
what is not taxing teenagers going to accomplish other than prepare them for a shock when they hit 18?
what are you imagining he benefit would be? do you think teenagers are going to save money for college?
that first paycheck with its 17% tax taken out was an eye-opener and an initiation into adulthood and it’s responsibilities-
pitting immigrants (read mexican in chicago) labor against blacks only serves to divide the working poor against each other.
do not underestimate the power of a glimmer of hope-
‘tough love’ does not give hope, nor inculcate any value- it is a bandaid after the wound has festered into deep infection-
what you perceive as crime being acceptable in the black community points not to the lack of accountability in black neighborhoods- but the resigned sense of helplessness- and again- hopelessness-
i also heard obama mention a program that would let every graduate go to a community college free for the first year-
that is a viable solution-
i’m not even decided on obama yet- but you need to elaborate on whatthose encouragements are if your critique is to be more than just another critique-
anyone can deconstruct anothers words- it takes real creativity and effort to construct something…encouraging.
Tariq Nelson 8:51 am on June 17, 2008 | #
I worked with prisoners for many years (inside and outside the prison) so I know a little something about this subject. My point is that rather than just blaming the system and racism, we need to provide solutions to uncomfortable facts. I am not a policy wonk and just mentioned a couple of things that I thought were good ideas as examples.
No one is “pitting (illegal) immigrants against blacks, but no one can deny that they compete for the same jobs. Have you seen what is going on with the war on blacks in Southern California? No one - including Obama - wants to say anything about that issue. No calls that “pitting” groups against another. However, if one simply says that blacks are hurt most by ILLEGAL immigration, then somehow this is horrible and everyone is outraged. Black children are shot execution style by ILLEGAL immigrants in New Jersey and there is no outrage. Someone states a couple of statistics and there is outrage.
Here in DC, there has been a curfew in the Trinidad neighborhood because of all the murders. Since the police patrols and curfews, there have been ZERO murders. This is what I mean. We need to stop allowing the criminals (whatever color they are) to run the black community.
As for the tax free incentive, it is hoped that they will learn some responsibility and give them an incentive to work rather than doing something illegal.
I agree on that solution. However, I still think that he is full of crap. He and his buddies in the Senate are making things cushy for themselves and their children while paying lip service to the problems those of us on the ground face. I don’t look to Obama or anyone else to save me. I suggest people mimic what he DOES in his private life and not what he says in his platitudinous speeches. He will (rightfully) send his daughters off to the best possible schools and train them to be from the intellectual elite. They will not tell them to be angry and that they are disadvantaged because they are black and all of that. They will tell them to work hard and study hard and kick tail in their studies. A message that is sadly missing in the black community.