Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Fathering or the Lack Thereof In the African American Community

Soon to be best selling author, Jimmy Dumas, author of the book 24 Reasons Why African Americans Suffer, joined me from Alabama this past week, (Fathers Day) to discuss this important topic. We both congratulated the men in our communities who have regarded their children more important than themselves. They have supported them emotionally and financially, and they have likewise supported the mother of their children. These fathers have been pillars in the African American community. Their influence on their children have been long benefiting of our community.

On the other swing of the pendulum are those fathers who do just the opposite. They are absent in the lives of their children. Brother Dumas shared the following bits of information from the book "America Has Lost A Generation of Black Boys" by Phillip Jackson. Black men in Jail have become as common place as Apple pie. Other countries are looking at America and adopting America's social policies that encourage the incarceration and destruction of young men. More worst is the passivity that exist in the African American Community. On the program we discussed the Black Star Project, and how they are addressing the problem. We also discussed the church's role in this "mess". The statistics (see link) of our failures are astonishing. I should take time and cite the statistic here, but use the link above for more details. Great job Brother Dumas.

No comments: