Does Obama have an Absentee Father Complex?

OK…I’m not going to get into Rev. Jacksons comments at this point because I feel a greater need to address what is often termed a “Black problem.”  First and foremost let me exclaim that it’s not a problem that is rampant within the Black community because myself and numerous other Black men I associate with are loving Fathers to their children.  In fact, two of my closest friends grew up in single parent households where their Mother was the sole provider and they are successful men & fathers today. 

Now I also know of a few idiots that aren’t taking care of their responsibilty, but the kicker here is that its not much of a surprise anyway.  Why?  Because as grown (and I use that world as a descriptor for their physical self, not their mental self) men they never showed the selfless character required to be a father or the ability to stand on their own two feet in a secure & sustainable manner.

Obama delivering a Fathers Day speech at a Black Church

Now to the issue of absentee fathers.  We all know that there are a combination of issues that contribute toblack men abandoning their children.  There are numerous excuses like the lack of economic oppurtunity, limited education, broken self-esteem, coupled with the effects of the Willie Lynch letter and the socialization of black slaves towards one-another.  Which I do believe all have a case as true impediments to the collective ascension of the Black community.

Note: There are those that believe the letter to be fake   

However, where Obama is both correct and incorrect is when he speaks about personal responsibility.  Obama demonstrates through his own accomplishments that any person can accomplish anything that they set their mind to.  There is no need to beg for hand-outs, especially from people who deem you to be lazy, shiftless, & incompetent.  Why prove them right?  Why not demonstrate the fortitude and the mental toughness that we claim to have by doing for ourselves what nobody else will give us?  But on the other hand Obama, Cosby, and whoever else is also incorrect in their assertions that absentee fatherism is the downfall of the Black community.  Yes, to an extent it has played a significant role, however inadequate schools, inferior curriculum, negligible health care, and a serious wage & opportunity gap are equally at fault for our issues.  And again Obama disproves this theory by being “who” he is, from “where” he has been, to “what” he is currently accomplishing.  He was raised without his father, on welfare, & yet is the leading candidate in the General Election.

As a community we are well aware of our harrowing past & the conditions in which we currently exist, but at what point do we channel the collective  might of the Black Masses to shift the economic, political, educational, & personal biases to work in our favor.  Do we wait for ALL men to start taking care of their responsibilities or do we cut off the dead weight so this ship doesn’t completely succumb to the elements?  The chicken or the egg?  Which comes first?

I believe Obama’s issues with his father & his bottom up political ideology may actually be what is needed to both mobilize us and focus us towards a common vision.  Just as King & Coretta Scott used buses to polticize a movement, so should we use Obama’s empty seat at the head of his childhood table to fire us up to move against what seems to be a growing clamor for Confederate ideals.  Remember Jena?!

Jena, LA White Only Tree