From Professor Tracey over at Aunt Jemima's Revenge:
"They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it," - Barack Obama
Ever since I started blogging and participating in podcasts, one thing has been consistent, if black women criticize black men about not holding up their end, black men have gone universally ape shit on me and my other sister bloggers. We as black women get blamed for their failures, we are responsible when they fail to ever be responsible, we are too tough, too mean, and clearly have too many expectations.
Now, yesterday on Father's Day, one of their own called them out. Barack Obama, the success story, from the female, single-headed, welfare having household to Yale to steps from the White House. Barack Obama, the proud black man, married to a black woman, with two black daughters. All the excuses black men make, Barack Obama has defeated with a black woman by his side that he does not have to "control" or "condescend" to in order to feel like a man. This is truly an interesting development.
Will black men finally get it now? Will black men finally get off their collective asses and step up to the table? Will black men finally get it together because they have the ultimate example of success campaigning across the country for the next six months? I sure hope so.
“The second thing we need to do as fathers is pass along the value of empathy to our children. Not sympathy, but empathy — the ability to stand in somebody else’s shoes; to look at the world through their eyes.” - Barack Obama
And black men could get off to a great start by showing much more empathy and understanding to black women. Understanding that R. Kelly being acquitted is a major problem for black women and girls. Understanding that when Michelle Obama is attacked that all black women and girls are being targeted. Understanding that failure to capture all the attackers in the Dunbar Village rape case is a major problem for black women and girls. Understanding that blaming black women for your failures and short-comings is painful and infuriating.
Since our deeds, words, and cries couldn't motivate you, maybe Barack Obama's can.
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