Obama Gives Black Fathers A Verbal Beating
Barack Obama celebrated Father's Day, speaking to a mostly black Chicago congregation, at the Apostolic Church of God (his new church, since leaving the Trinity United Church of Christ), giving a tongue lashing to black fathers, who he said are "missing from too many lives and too many homes," to become active in raising their children. It was actually quite refreshing seeing him in this light, amongst other blacks, something we've seen very little of. I'm not sure if he's addressed a mass black audience like this since he started his campaign, but I could be wrong. Regardless, I took some pleasure in watching this clip.
Here are some poignant bites from the video:
"They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it."
"We can't simply write these problems off to past injustices... Those injustices are real. There's a reason our families are in disrepair ... but we can't keep using that as an excuse."
He compared it to his own presidential campaign and early comments from black voters who said they liked him but didn't think a black man could ever be elected president, saying that they were admitting defeat before the competition had even begun.
"That was when I wasn't black enough. Now I'm too black."
His speech was very well received, with the congregation breaking out into thunderous applause several times.
Here's the entire 10-minute video from CNN:
Here are some poignant bites from the video:
"They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it."
"We can't simply write these problems off to past injustices... Those injustices are real. There's a reason our families are in disrepair ... but we can't keep using that as an excuse."
He compared it to his own presidential campaign and early comments from black voters who said they liked him but didn't think a black man could ever be elected president, saying that they were admitting defeat before the competition had even begun.
"That was when I wasn't black enough. Now I'm too black."
His speech was very well received, with the congregation breaking out into thunderous applause several times.
Here's the entire 10-minute video from CNN:
I was definitely in the "Amen" section for this one. As someone that was raised solely by her Mom from 3-13 and as the Godmother of a beautiful little boy with a deadbeat Dad, I can sooooo relate to this.
A healing is long overdue...
- P
My admiration for this man is slowly turning into a crush... And I'm not even sure I want children, never mind a father for them!