Not So Souljah

Was Barack Obama's Father's Day speech about families and the black community a Sista Souljah moment? Only if you watch it in a vacuum. Yes, Obama reconstituted the Bill Cosby argument and took black fathers to task for their failures of personal responsibility, but he didn't recognize areas of institutional racism, growing inequality, the struggles of breaking out of the permanent underclass, profiling, and other things that tend to hinder family development. However, he DOES address them in his urban policy plan, which talks about improving education and job opportunities in the inner city, with better housing, tax incentives, and anti-poverty programs. So you have to offer a fuller picture to judge whether he was denouncing black fathers unfairly.

...also, you have to see how he extended out the concept of responsibility.

[O]ur young boys and girls see…when you are ignoring or mistreating your wife. They see when you are inconsiderate at home; or when you are distant; or when you are thinking only of yourself. And so it’s no surprise when we see that behavior in our schools or on our streets. That’s why we pass on the values of empathy and kindness to our children by living them. We need to show our kids that you’re not strong by putting other people down – you’re strong by lifting them up. That’s our responsibility as fathers.

And by the way – it’s a responsibility that also extends to Washington. Because if fathers are doing their part; if they’re taking our responsibilities seriously to be there for their children, and set high expectations for them, and instill in them a sense of excellence and empathy, then our government should meet them halfway.