Submitted by Yardbroom
Some months ago Jessie Jackson in reference to Barrack Obama said: “I wanna cut his nuts off” and he – Barrack Obama – “was talking down to black people.” To be fair, Jackson later apologized, and said his remarks were made, when he thought he was off air and in a “private discussion.” What caused such an outburst? What heinous crime did Obama commit?
“As someone who grew up without a father in the home, Senator Obama has spoken and written for many years about issues of parental responsibilities, with the importance of fathers participating in their children’s lives.” Was Obama’s critque of “some” black fathers justified?
I am sure he was not suggesting that “all” black fathers do not take their parental responsibilities seriously. Neither could it be true that black single mothers have not, despite almost unsurmountable obstacles, brought up children to be outstanding citizens.
I believe he was making the point, that a large percentage of black single mothers have to shoulder parental responsibilities alone. Whilst their male companions move on with a freedom which cannot be condoned. Although Obama was brought up by his grandparents, he spoke with the experience of someone who did not have the benefit of a father in the important early years. He cannot be condemned for speaking from personal experience.
Is there any substance in his statement? Few people can argue it is not best to have a mother and father -couple – in a stable relationship looking after their children. Relationships do break down, but the children from that relationship are still there. They have done no wrong and surely it is part of being mature and adult to take care of your responsibilities.
It is a difficult subject but difficult subjects must be confronted, if we as a people – black people – are to improve our chances of success in a competitive world. Unless we are able to confront these issues head on, each generation will constantly be reinventing the wheel, always starting from scratch.
I do no more than open an avenue for debate on a difficult issue. We cannot pretend that it is not an issue of importance which has impacted on many black lives. We can of course ignore it and say others are imposing their “value systems” on us. However, we inhabit the same living space as others, it is those who are most able to utilize that space to their advantage who will be successful.
We must give “our” children the financial and emotional support to make them wanted citizens in our society. To deny them an opportunity/opportunities because of parental neglet is a tragedy we should be uncomfortable living with.
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