Barack Obama was right about black fathers

I’m sure by now that you have all heard Barack Obama’s speech on Father’s Day weekend about black father’s stepping up to the plate and being more involved in their children’s lives.

 

But what you really have not heard are attacks against Barack Obama’s comments from many of those who attacked Bill Cosby. Now there are a few who voiced their negative opinions some blogs going as far as to say he betrayed have his race ( http://www.blackagendareport.com ) But many have not said much. You know why?

 

Because Barack Obama is right.

 

Now some may say he is just pandering to white conservatives in order to get their votes but so what if he is. His message is not any less true.

 

We need our black men involved in our children’s lives so that black boys know how to be a good man and black girls have an idea of what a god man is.

 

There is no disputing the reports that children who have fathers involved in their education do better as a group. There is no disputing that these same children are less likely to end up in prison. There is no disputing that these children are less likely to grow up in poverty.

 

Black men we owe it to our children to make sure that they do better than we did. The true measure of a man is not how tough you are, what kind of car you have, how much money you have. It’s not any of that. It’s how you take care of “Yours”. The true measure of a man is how you ensure your children’s future.

 

That being said, let’s not forget that the MAJORITY of black fathers do the right thing. Yeah, I know about the 70% number of black children born to single mothers but that does not equate to 70% of black men not being involved in their children’s lives. That only means that they don’t live with the mother.

 

One last point. It’s just not black men that need to step up. If you have ever been to a PTA meeting or Parent/Teacher Night forget color just count the number of men that are there. I’m sure women will outnumber them at least 3 to 1 if not more. So while this is an issue that has the spotlight shining on black fathers it is not unique to them.

 

To all the good black fathers out there keep doing what you are doing and set the example. Although you are rarely acknowledged  even by our own I just want to let you know that you are appreciated.

 

George Cook
www.letstalkhonestly.com

 

 

 

Bill Cosby discusses black fathers

On the eve of Fathers Day Bill Cosby and Alvin Poussaint have written an article on the lack of male role models in the Black Community in which he challenges black men to do better. Read the article by clicking the link below:

 

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/blacknewsblackviews.html

 

 

 

Black America’s problems are Self Inflicted

Short video essay about how many of Black America’s problems are Self Inflicted written and produced by George L. Cook III http://www.letstalkhonestly.com

from www.revver.com posted with vodpod

Where are the black men?

Check out this video from a forum on race at Howard University moderated by MSNBC. This part of the forum focuses on the issues that black men face and how it is affecting the black family. Click the link below to watch the video:

 

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/blacknewsblackviews.html

 

Black Men Giving Back To Our Children

I love stories like this. In Wichita Kansas. A group of black men known as Real Men Real Heroes is mentoring black children and trying to do something about the lack of positive black role models in their lives. Meet these Real Heroes by clicking the link below:

 

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/blacknewsblackviews.html

Why are so many black women single?

Check out this trailer for the DVD Soulmates by filmmaker Andrea Wiley which looks into the reasons why 70% of black women are not married. You can watch the trailer for the movie by clicking the link below.

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/blacknewsblackviews.html

Black feelings on interracial marriage

Blacks feelings on interracial Marriage

A recent study suggest that African Americans are not accepting of Interracial marriage and that  black men are more likely to marry outside of their race. You can read more of the studies results by clicking the link below:

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/blacknewsblackviews.html

LTH Person of the Year, Leland Melvin

Hi everyone I am proud to announce the Let’s Talk Honestly Person of the year ( www.letstalkhonestly.com ). Astronaut Leland D. Melvin.

Leland Melvin will be on the next shuttle mission STS 122 in 2008. Mr Melvin is a former NFL player, a chemist and an astronaut.

I picked Mr. Melvin because he is a great example of what a education can do for African American children when it’s stressed in the household. He also is showing black kids they can succeed in something other than sports and entertainment.  Leland Melvin has traveled across the country, talking to thousands of students and teachers about space exploration, and inspiring them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Congratulations to Leland Melvin on being selected the inaugural LTH Person of the Year for not only setting a great example but for encouraging others to follow it.

Learn more about Mr. Melvin here: http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/LTHpersonoftheyear.html

George Cook
www.letstalkhonestly.com