Obama's beat up on black males fans old stereotypes

Oh, Please! You sound as tho the man planned to put down all the fathers. Obama has a point and thats how it should be taken. If the cap fits...wear it. Dont make seem like the statement was made to put down fathers. It is an effort to reach those who don't. He is the only black man I know who has put a public effort to do or say something about it. You on the other hand observe and know the cause but does nothing but to criticise Obama...who are yu anyway...what have you done for the black fathers?

Earl, if Obama is pained by his own absent father, you too come acrss as being pained by something that only you you know exactly what.

I like the title of your book. I think Obama's race to the white house might just make it irrelevant though. That would make someone like me a bit resentful, if I were the author

Anyway you are right about many external economic determinants being responsible for a lot of the burdens of black men. Let me say though that there is also what is called a destructive collective thinking or culture that is beyong socio-economics factors like jobs. Because you know there are some very poor communities that do not habour rampant crime rates. Visit Malawi and Mozambique and you'll see them. Not everyone poor is a criminal, to reverse your own argument, in some these poor communities very few people are criminals. That remains a paradox in a paradigm where poverty leads to criminal acts

The point is that it is possible to move beyond the predictable modes of thinking. As much as economic reasons may be strong predictors, a change of the collective mindset that is supporting a self-destructive culture can also do some positive if not more. You are right that Obama may have not included these economic factors in his speech. But it is also possible that he was thinking from a different paradigm to yours. Where internal factors in changing ones or collective behavior count as much if not more than external economic ones. The way it is in Malawi. South Africans ara slo trapped into the mode that the hate against foreigners is only based on poverty and lack of resources. But then the top ten list of the most xenophobic countries are not the poorest

And more relevant to you, it is sometimes possible for race not to be the determinant of the race to the white house.

There are other perspectives you know, probably more useful than the old and tried and failed recipes

So, now I ponder upon the consequences of his speech. Will this have the "understood" intention to demonize Black men in popular American culture? Will this hurt his reputation in Black culture? Will his republican opponents frame him as a "sell out" to Black people and Black culture from his accusations in this speech? If Republican Party members do utilize this as a point of contention to "turn" Obama against Blacks, will Blacks realize that this means that they are "rectifying" the myth that has been deeply rooted and perpetuated by members of White culture about Black fatherhood? All of these questions are very important in analyzing Obama's speech. However, let's render some personal belief and give understanding to my own personal opinion of the speech. It seems as though certain members of our communities utilize things that need to be addressed as points to stigmatize components of our communities. As Hutchinson has stated, the statistics bearing upon the difference between single-parent homes does not vary much when factoring in issues of socio-economic status and race. Being an Obama supporter, and one who analyzes Black masculinity and sexuality from a sociologically perspective, I was completely appalled by his representation of Black men. I did not have a father directly in my life; however, I did have a grandfather who raised a proud young Black man, grounded with values that do not represent what Obama was portraying. Examining the language upon which he used, he should have concluded himself in his analysis. By not making clear that this is not the case for all Black men, he evades the fact that he has been a good father. It's difficult enough for a young Black man, like me, to deal with combating the stereotypes created and continuously developed by white culture. Now I must combat the comments of someone like myself. However, this honestly does not come of surprise. It's only characteristic of political figures to play upon issues of "damnation relevance" to make them further glorified. I have no arguments in addressing issues of fatherhood, manhood, and masculinity, when discussing Blacks; however, I do have a problem with people using mythical representations to conclude that this is fact of all Black men. It amazes me that someone who has stayed away from really discussing issues of race in speeches, is being praised for such a speech like this, factoring in the misrepresentation of Black me. Yet, once again this does not amaze me. Of course, white media outlets have praised him for this speech; it only solidifies common ideas of Black men. I say Obama's campaign staffers should have thought this speech out more carefully. This leads me to my last thought. I wonder how many young Black men viewed this as a misrepresentation, how many will socially and politically refute these ideas, and how many will view this as a reason for not voting for him? Or will they continue a pledge of allegiance to the Black man that has "sold" them out?????

Its his opinion in the end. And no matter how much we disagree its still is opinion. And I would like to believe that the sum of the man is greater than his parts. Barack Obama is still an amazing man even though he may have some stereotypical views of black males. But hey no one is perfect. George Washington had slaves. Great men have flaws. They always have. They always will.

I was quite comfortable with Obama's message. Bill Cosby's, I was not. Obama has earned my trust and I'm ready to listen to what he has to say whether it's comforting or not. And the fact of the matter is, far too many young black children are without a two-parent home. I understand the socio-economic conditions that create and/or complicate the issue, but that doesnt have to impede our determination to do everything in our power as individuals to change what we can on our own. So what if more black fathers keep in touch from outside the home than do any other culture. Thanks, but I don't need the consolation prize. I need more black fathers to make being a father a priority. And where they fail, we as a collective will continue fighting to change the pitfalls that make it so easy for them to stumble. But, taking offense to Obama's message--That, I, as a black man, can make a personal decision to save MY kid--is annoying. I didnt feel attacked, slighted, or lectured to. I know alot of guys that will sit there and listen to that brother. More than anything, they want to think that Obama would respect them if he knew them. Bill Cosby, however, chastised us for our choice in names, dress code, etc...but we trust Obama. He was talking to us. From a black church. On Father's Day. So, fall back Mr. Hutchinson. Just a tad. I appreciate you, but Obama's got this. I didnt hear black men complaining on Sunday or Monday. Not one. Not until today, just five minutes ago.

Thanks I agree with your article.Senator Obama should leave moralizing to the churches and stick to politics, it was not a good fit. African American Men have endured more pain then any group in this country and contributed more blood sweat and tears their plight is not solely an accident of birth it is a result of racism. THE ISSUE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY AND FAMILIES. There are certain societal maladjustments which need the assistance of society and the nation to make right.

Truthfully, I figure that bad and insencere leadership is what ultimately 'sells out'. How on earth can anyone think that Obama meant that all black men are derelicts? When he himself is apparently a good father and wants america to believe in him. Unless you think he thinks he is not black. I suspect that many good black social critics are so used to criticising the powers that be that it is almost impossible to turn the mirror and criticise themelves.

Like Obama and many of the posters here, I also did not have a present father, and when I met him eventually I realised that he was spiritually hallow and quite ungiving in nature. Of course I know he was a wounded soul, through a damaging political and economic process including racism. But I still had to hold him accountable. In fact he had to hold himself accountable. Because in the face of economic hardship and racism some fewer black men, unlike him, did rise above the same challenges, if for nothing else they did it for their offspring.

The funny thing is that change to black situation is not going to come from outside the black world. For in America, black men's problems are never going to be solved by white men for them. I can only imagine that they will instead continue to make them worse at every possible opportunity, if history is anything to be believed. So how on earth is looking within the community for where black men have erred is a bad choice of solution? When the outside environment cannot possibly contribute positively? This looking within also happned to be laying some blame on the actions of black men as accomplices in the sufferings of their own. It is always clear that in dysfunctional marriages, no one partner can or should be blamed alone. It takes too to live abusively.

I think Obama's speech points out to that white and black American marriage. That half of the responsibility lies with black men. Battered wives often find it easy to blame battering spouses. But they are equal partners in the dance of battering if they dont change their own lives.

I think Obama did not do right by omitting the socio-economic American factors in the plight of black american men in his speech, which is the other half of the responsible partner. But that white responsibility is global knowledge at this point. What black men have not faced up to so far is listening properly and taking their own part of the responsibility. And for anyone to institute any serious change pertaining to their own lives, there must be internal drivers. Especially since black men are not in control of anyone else or any other race but themselves. Most especially they are not in control of white men. It is not the white children who are suffering. It has been you and me and those still coming. And the responsibility to change that should be taken into our own hands. Of course an uneasy task given the lack of resources, but not impossible, to an extent that black men are only the recepients of blows from about any quater. And especially since there are black men, although few, who have shown that this can be done right. As painful as it is I hope that was what Obama's message was intended to mean. And I think it is a good thing that someone as admired like him said it. Because only the truth shall set me free

could not be freiends with him, and I did feel a sense of sadness realising that he probably did not even think that he had done anything wrong to me by being invisible for odd 20 years. Irrespective of what the political or social environment was.

Obama asked that as parents, we do the best WE can do for our families, despite how difficult our circumstances are. I am already a good father. He wasn't talking to me. Some of my buddies aren't. The message was for them and I can only hope they were listening. To me, it kind of went without saying that Obama is aware of the societal conditions that have broken our families down. Bill Clinton, for instance--I might need to hear some extra commentary from him on the issue if he is going to talk to me about black men--but not from Obama. I know he understands how we got here. I READ HIS BOOKS. Did yall? Give the man some rope. Sheesh. If my pop was gonna get on me for not being a good father...he wouldn't start with, "Son, it's been hard for 500 years. I understand that..." He would say, "Boy, get out there and get a second job. Yea, I know it's hard out here, but get to work." Sean Hannity can't say that to me, because I don't trust his understanding of the circumstances. Obama, I do. He's earned the ability to talk to me straight up.

Of course, Obama's speech was all about trying to appeal to those "working class" white voters. He knows that black men are an easy target for public bashing. If Obama really wanted to honestly address the problem of "absentee" black fathers, he would have also advised black women to stop having babies out-of-wedlock by men who don't want them for ANYTHING except sex. (An even better course of action would be for unmarried black women to stop having sex with men who don't want them for anything except sex.) This is something black women have control over and is key to solving the problem. Black men certainly cannot solve this problem alone. But blaming women (in this case, black women) for anything is politically incorrect and there would have been consequences. Obama knows there will be no consequences for criticizing black men the way he did.

elg, it was Father's Day. Save your chatter for Mother's Day. Obama encouraged PERSONAL responsibility. If that offended you, go pick your kids up for once.

this strange thing, notion, of double black consciousness, where somethings can only be said in the company of blacks is not only a sign of cowardice but a big letdown.

it seems many of us do talk about similar things in our homes, the problem here is he took out the dirty laundry.

i think given the right timing Obama will talk about the responsibility of black women, or maybe Michelle will. And he will speak about the responsibility of white racist america when he is the driver of the white racist machine. But to think he would go out on a limb and bash black men so as to appease white poor class is equating him to clinton. i think what we need is a mirror

Obama was trying to help the black race...not tear it down i don't agree with this

Biko: I am a black gay man and I do not have any children. I rarely (if ever) find myself sympathizing with straight black men but in this case I thought Obama was clearly, at least to me, trying to connect with a certain segment of white voters. I strongly believe that if Obama wants to talk about the problem of 70% of black children being born out of wedlock and single parent homes in the black community he should talk about the entire problem (regardless of who he offends) and not just the part of the problem that's easiest to criticize in public.

I have read and re-read Sen. Obama's speech on fatherhood and i'm wondering why people feel he was only speaking to black father's. I wonder because when he refers to fathers he never qualifies it by racial group- he simply says fathers. And yes i understand the Sen. considers himself to be African American, makes reference to Black children and was speaking in a black church...but knowing this message would be distributed far and wide i can not fathom it was intended only for black fathers. I'm wondering if some people are not guilty of what we often accuse White people of...that because the messenger is of a particular race and the speech delivered in a certain venue that the message was only intended for one particular group. The Sen. consistently uses we and our in his speech...i didnt hear or read that as just us- meaning Black folk- but the collective national we and our, whether Black, White, Hispanic, Native or Asian. Certainly there are issues we as Black folk must confront, around fatherhood, community and family, but those are also national issues that cut across racial lines. There are plenty of deadbeat white and hispanic dads who should be listening to this message too. This makes me think of something my grandma used to say....You could always tell who the preacher was talking about in the sermon cause they were the one's who left church mad. How about we stop just getting mad about people talking about our issues and lets start working on them?

Earl Ofari Hutchison is the same man who wrote in the Washington Post that Marita Golden's book "Don't PLay In the Dark" was a fraud, because according to him---"colorism" doesn't exist and is all in her insecure dark skinned mind. I'm not surprised that he would place the EGO, PRIDE and "loose hanging" balls of black men...BEFORE THE NEEDS of millions of innocent black children. It's always ALL ABOUT "the black man" and his victimization. Black women and children be damned, even though THEY (at the mercy of both White Dominant Culture and Black Men's legendary Selfishness) are the ones who suffer the greatest marginalization, invisibility and oppression. Even though the ONLY MAN I have ever loved is a black man. Even though I have aborted a White man's child and SOUGHT OUT and CHOSE to give birth to TWO black men. I, like Obama, have been accused of "hating black men" simply because I speak up for our entire race by demanding that we NEED our black fathers and need black men to stop ABANDONING our children and our culture. Black men whine, "You hate black men!" But the truth is..."black men hate they damned selves." Barack Obama is just like me. He also loves Black men, and his speech was a very loving one. He spoke out as an Abandoned child--which is his right to do. He spoke out as a black father who wants to bring a message to Black Youth, a message that says we need to change the standards in our culture and our behavior. He stood up for ALL black people by affirming the righteous importance of the role of Fatherhood....and the fact that we cannot make it "as a people" without the support, nurturing and leadership of Black Men. Black men are wonderful human beings. Black men are a gift to us...from GOD. I truly believe that, and I teach that message to my two sons every day. I know that Barack Obama feels the same way, and I know that his criticism of black men came from a place of deep love and childhood longing. I also know that 500 years ago, when African Women rose up and protested the selling of African people into Slavery---the handful of BLACK KINGS who were originally controlling the slave trade branded those women "male bashers" and "Fire Witches" and burned those women at the stake. This is a long tradition that Black men have, going all the way back to Africa...where anyone who questions or criticizes their behavior "Hates Them" and must be "ejected." And for that reason, our people, SUPPORTED the Kings and Witch Doctors in their "greed" during the "origins" of slavery, because no one had the guts to challenge what the KING said was "Cool." Barack Obama is that challenger. And I say we need to support him and Michelle 100% What else have we got? BET?

ELG wrote: Biko: "I am a black gay man, do not have any children [and] rarely (if ever) find myself sympathizing with straight black men but in this case I thought Obama was clearly, at least to me, trying to connect with a certain segment of white voters." A black man who rarely finds himself sympthaizing with straight black men. That probably makes you a heterophobe. Makes it even harder to take the opinion of a black man (who rarely sympthasizes with other black men) seriously. You may as well be a racist.

Kola Boof, Did you really reference your abortion of a half-white baby as a sign of your dedication to black men and maintaining the black family unit? You're foul as hell.

No, Biko, I'm Nilotic Sudanese from a culture that doesn't eat "North-swimming" Crocodiles out of the Nile because they're considered "impure". An African woman refusing to have a baby by a white man and ONLY having them by black men is an African "ritual" thing--you wouldn't understand. You're too separated from us to understand--but Europeans and Asians understand us very well, because they also have "royalty" and protect their heritage (bloodberry). LOVE TO YOU.

BTW, Biko...we do eat "South-swimming" crocodiles, because according to Egyptian warrior God Set---they are "pure." I know it's silly, but that's how we're raised.

It's interesting reading the posts here of those saying that Obama should not be the one mentioning these things or that he's putting out our dirty laundry for white people to see (like they don't know all of this already). And although a few posts disagree with what he said most seem to disagree with the messenger and not the message. If this Black father who's in the running to become the leader of the free world can't talk straight his people on some things that needed to be taken care of in house then no one can. You can't say in one breath that now all of our children can actually see that even they can become anything they want to be, and then in the next breath say that it's not his place to talk. Plain and simple us Black folk need to stop gettin mad at the Cosby's and the Obama's and the West's when they tell us to stop all the finger pointing and excuses and do what it is that needs to be done.

Kola, With the whip of a tail, Crocodiles can switch direction--but their still the same damn croc. What I mean is...you can switch your outlook up and still be you. I don't like to judge other people's cultural traditions, so that's the closest I will get to telling you what I think of your abortion policy. I will say this, however...You slept with a white guy, but then purified yourself when you were impregnated? If you were raped, forgive me. If you weren't, wow. Good luck with your selective principles.

Don't knock Rev Wright for telling the truth in a church setting if you're gonna go to a church setting and tell the truth also. You're no diferent. All thigs Obama/08

So Ms. Boof does this mean that Obama is impure because is mother is white? Or does that impurity only go for the black woman who births a baby for a white man. IF that is the case you you seem to be holding up that african sexism you described in your post. Where the man is King and not challenged. Where the man can do whatever he likes and does not have to worry about the consequence of having an impure baby.

elg, I didn't know that black women fell under the catagory of protected species. In fact the last time I checked it was open season on black women. Haven't you observed the way Michelle Obama has been treated?

Uh...Karen. You REALLY need to go back and read my very first post. I am in no way talking about "Obama being biracial." I am a HUGE Obama supporter and love him with all my heart. Amazing how people come in at the tail end of something and don't read.

Biko...
NO, crocodiles do not change course with the whip of a tail unless they're in their primary living pool.
In MARCH, the female crocodile seeks out a territory to lay her eggs. She returns to the "territory" she was born from either North or South. Likewise, the males choose a direction for impregnating the females. I have CONDONED NOTHING, but...I HAVE...shared honestly about several subjects, and one thing I despise in talking with Americans is their nagging Political Correctness whenever anyone tells them THE TRUTH. I didn't say my culture was right. I told you where I'm from and what I was taught. Somehow it became a draw-bridge for your nose. I don't mince words and I wish that others were like me and said just what they really think and feel. It would save all of us a lot of time. Once again...LOVE TO YOU. And though I had an abortion at 17, I have now reached the age and MATURITY where I sincerely mean that. LOVE TO YOU. I genuinely love and support Barack Obama and I feel very encouraged by his "father's day" speech.

Kola wrote: 'Even though I have aborted a White man's child and SOUGHT OUT and CHOSE to give birth to TWO black men........ '--------------- You Ms Boof, are just contradicting yourself. On the one hand you support and love Obama but on the other hand you deliberately aborted a child because he/she would have been bi-racial like Barack Obama. It was quite painful for me to have to read over your rant. Whateva !!!

Kola Alright I get you. You are just stating the facts. It came across as if you were qualifying your action. to revive and old saying 'my bad'.

Karen,there is no contradiction.

While I love many mixed race and biracial people--I am not willing to give birth to one.

As an "American", you may not be able to fathom that.

I adore Julia Roberts and have supported her career all my life, but I do not wish to have a white daughter. I love and adore Walter Mosley, but I do not wish to have a son who looks European. One of my idols is FRIDA KHALO but I do not want Mexican children.

What I detest about YOUR REMARKS is that you fail to see that Black People don't have to ERASE THEMSELVES to love someone else. Not all of us come from a "slave background." Not all of us think that ANYTHING is better than a black child (as I suspect you do). I am black, therefore I want my children to be black LIKE ME.

In aborting the earlier child, I feared that a mixed child would not have what Nilotic people call "the proof" (African hair, nappy hair). We also call this "God's Hair." I don't want my children to have what you call "good hair." That is not African hair.

I love that hair on mixed people...but that is not my hair. Can you understand that?

Kola you have made Three assuptions about me but I will only qualify two. Firstly I am not an American and secondly I do not refer to bi-racial people's hair as good hair. That being said, I have heard Sudanese people praising Arab features and Arab hair. but I'll try not to lump you into that catagory. Although Africans did not experience American Slavery, they have experienced colonialism and continue to experience the affects of white domination in all area of their lives. So when painting a picture of the African pysch less not be too romantic o.k. I am sure you were not born with that straight hair you wear (maybe every inch springs from your scalp, but why do you straighten it?). My hair, for the record is as coily as it was the day I was born. If you live in a glass house don't through stones.

Dear Kola, I liked the first part of your first message. I also think that the same reason that Mugabe is still terrorising us is because of the support he gets from an invisible black club that would never criticise him in the eyes of the white world even though he is actually killing us. That is the core sentiment at play here with the Obama story.

But I was deeply horrified by your referals to killing a biracial kid because you preferred a black kid more. That is a pity. Let me say to you that biracial babies are as beautiful as any colour. In fact, in the world there is not such a thing as a pure race. And also all of us at some point in history, we once were slaves. So the belief in racial purity and historical freedom from slavery is merely there to create a sense of superiority and to exclude others who may not be part of the club and who dont know better. For a second, you reminded me of Toni Morrison's Paradise story. It's a pity you have these racial and historical views.

I was horrified that you seem to believe that since the ancestors of black Americans experienced a recent slavery therefore they dont have a comparable culture to yours which comes from Sudan. And that then their understanding of life meanings has limitations. You live in America dont you? Well I am almost certain that back home in Sudan, your mother or your aunt or you ancles never taught you that it was acceptable to despise and insult your hosts while continuing living in their midst. I think you do miss and need to be home for a while. And to remember some things more clearly.

Otherwise it was not fair of you to suddenly spew your acidic hate coming from a well of superiority complexes, while the focus here should be on Obama. Why did you do that? It had no relevance nor space but you brought these topics up. To draw attention to yourself in such a debauched manner? Do visit home with your boys too.

And in case you are wondering? I am not chastisising you based on too personal reasons, I am writing to you from Africa and have never lived in America. Nonetheless I am appalled.