"The engaged black father is an elusive character in popular culture. The percentage of black children living in fatherless homes—roughly 50 percent—has perpetuated an orthodoxy that black men are irresponsible and indifferent to fatherhood. A 2007 study noted that a black father's ability to financially contribute is one of the biggest determinants of whether he stays in the home. Will (Black America) have to come to a consensus on what constitutes a good father?"Excerpts from Joshua Alston, O Father, Where Art Thou?
For every two irresponsible black "sperm givers", there is one responsible black father. Even though the absentee of the black father is an epidemic in the black community, it cast a negative shadow over the black fathers that are accountable, responsible, engaged, and as my Grandmomma would say "acting like a daddy." Also, it does not address the black fathers that would like to be in their child's life but the mother has impeded that process.
Personally, my Grandmother would always ask/tell my father, "why don't you spend time with the boy?" Her constant encouragement/firmness did not propel him to want to be in my life. So, being a responsible black father is an "individual choice" that the black man has to make.
Happy Father's Day to the "WOMEN" that have raised me--my Mother, Godmother, and Grandmother. And to the only father I have known, my Godfather, Andrew "Sonny" Owens. One love!
