Your Black World Reader Reactions to the open letter to Senator Barack Obama written by Dr. Boyce Watkins

To make a comment, please visit the blog by clicking here.

Note from Dr. Boyce:  For those who may not understand why I had to challenge Barack Obama's contribution to the perception of black men being irresponsible, perhaps you can get it now. Fox News recently did a segment about "why black women on TV tend to be angry". In the segment, they make continuous reference to the "angry black woman", and point to several examples of black women who tend to be angry during interviews. The video clip is at this link.

I am not a fan of such stereotypes, and I hope that any black woman who is offended by this stereotype can understand why many black men are not happy with the stereotypes that are placed upon many brothers. I have always worked to be a responsible man. I personally find it offensive (whether Obama or anyone else is alluding to this concept) when others imply that black men as a collective behave irresponsibly. I agree with Malcolm, who felt that no matter how much respect people had for him, "if you insult my people, then you are insulting me".

I received about 130 emails yesterday from people who had mixed opinions about my article on Senator Obama's comments about black men needing to learn the art of fatherhood. They've been interesting and seem to call for more discourse. I noticed that the opinions were right down the middle and many of them were very strong in either direction. I will do a video on the topic soon, but I wanted to pose some quick thoughts I had as I was reading the emails (and yes, I do read my email and try to respond to you. I only ignore people who come off as flat out lunatics, since I don't mess with crazy people). Here are my thoughts.

1) Why do we assume that a broken family implies that a man "ran away from his responsibility"? Is it not also the case that many relationships also end due to actions of the woman as well? All of us know of at least one "insane baby's mama" - either you have dealt with one, been in a relationship with a man who was dealing with one, or perhaps you have BEEN ONE! This does not imply that the end of the relationship is most likely the fault of the woman, but it does take two to tango.

2) No. I didn't make my statement for political purposes or to make money. I don't get paid for what I do on the internet, and I am NOT a politician. I consider politicians, as a general rule, to be liars, and life is too short for me to spend all my time lying. Telling the truth is the only way I can sleep at night, even if it implies that some people don't like what I have to say. One thing you will always get from me is a straight shot, I assure you of that.

3) Yes, I support Obama 100% . Critiquing someone and keeping them honest doesn't mean you hate them. I critique my mama and I love my mama.

4) Obama has made a commitment to being race neutral in this election. However, if he or anyone else chooses to address race in this election I ONLY ASK THAT THEY BE FAIR. For Barack (or anyone else) to shut down anyone who speaks honestly about racism, and then to contribute to racial stereotypes about black male irresponsibility is not balanced. For those who feel that Obama was "telling it like it is", please remember this: Dr. Jeremiah Wright was also "telling it like it is", but he was shut down, disowned and told that his words needed to be muted. Honesty should not know racial boundaries. If Barack Obama is not comfortable going into a group of white males and being honest about racial stereotyping, then it is not acceptable for him to do that to black men.

5) There are ALWAYS going to be people in every group who do the wrong thing. White women are not stereotyped by the actions of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. I would never stereotype black women for the actions of a few "insane baby's mamas". So, the notion that it is ok to define black men by the actions of a select few is equally problematic. However, it is comfortable to say "these brothers need to start doing right" because it alleviates anyone else of the guilt of whatever role they play in the breakdown of their families, and it also contributes to the 400 year tradition of defining black men as being socially inferior. A person could just as easily celebrate the great choices of positive black men as he could mulling over the actions of the irresponsible.

Here is the issue: I do not feel that Barack would go into any other venue and paint any other group with a blanket indictment. He would not say "too many Jews support killing Palestinians", or "too many Catholic Priests are molesting little children". So, I am not sure why it is ok to say that "too many black men are ignoring their responsibilities and not being fathers". While all three of these stereotypes may have some element of truth to them, it seems that "truth in stereotyping" is only acceptable when dealing with black folks.

Racial conversation must be HONEST AND BALANCED. If you would not say something to a group of white men, then please don't say it to me.

Reaction Letters from Readers

Dear Dr. Watkins,

Rarely-if ever-am I inclined to respond to commentary of any kind, however your response to Obama’s motion to address

the obvious, on the most appropriate day of the year has jarred me to action.

Senator Obama made a conscious decision to openly and candidly address a wound in our community.  I am deeply disturbed by your reaction and response  to such a socially responsible gesture on the part of Senator Obama. We cannot be so sensitive when it comes to critiquing ourselves that we miss opportunities to clean up our house, correct our wrongs and collectively propel ourselves and subsequently our communities.  I love and appreciate the fact that Obama cared enough to say what needed to be said.  We don’t always have the same affinity toward “other” folks as we do toward each other.  There are things that we speak to each other about that we are not inspired enough to share with “other” folks. Perhaps Obama was not inspired to address all fathers, perhaps it’s more personal to him, being a Black man, to speak honestly and openly to his brothers on this symbolic day.  We always expect those who dare to stand up, to be the ‘cure all’ for everyone and every issue.   

 I appreciate your views Dr. Watkins, and I think you are on point in some areas.  But you may want to consider being less sensitive and less critical of those who have the courage to answer the call for tough love when it is needed.  Obviously Barack is not speaking about ALL Black men, but he’s not dreaming this up, there are brothers in our community who are MIA and need to step up.   Yes it hurts to hear it, see it, address it, but it hurts like hell to witness the generational destructive repercussions of irresponsible, absentee fathers.   Of course there are good father’s in our community, my family is full of them,  however we can praise the “GOOD” Black men, without attacking those who choose instead to challenge our brothers who are not “owning up”.    

Dr. Watkins you also attacked Cosby for his comments.  Are you telling me that as much as Cosby has contributed to the Black community, he cannot request that we also do our part?   I am of the belief that a man who has dedicated his entire life to uplifting our families, our children and our community can say whatever the hell he wants, in whatever way he chooses to say it.   I cannot understand why we become so vocal and critical when people like Cosby and Obama simply encourage us to be better parents, yet sell out Negroes like BET’s Bob Johnson can say whatever the hell he wants and no one calls him to task.   With all due respect Dr. Watkins, I appreciate your passion regarding issues concerning the Black community, however on this particular issue, I think you may be barking up the wrong tree.  

Cheryl Lynn

Phoenix, AZ

Isn't it funny that every time that someone tries to help the black man
 there is always a rebuttal.  It's people like you who continue to
 give black people an excuse to not to do right.  If not in church where?
  Should he as the presidential candidate gone to the street corner
 with the rest of the black men and said it there? Can he not address the
 issues that a lot of black men fall into? Sure this message did not
 include of our great black men but this message was not for that audience.
  It's time for we as blacks to stop looking at everyone else and start
 looking at what we can do to change you don't know who he touched and
 if he touched only one person then that is one person who is going to
 do better by his kids...............

YOU GO DOC.  You are absolutely right. However, I am getting a little concerned about the lack of awareness that the Senator is showing with regards to his actions or lack thereof, when it concerns his immediate family and his Black/African American family as a whole.  

"Radiant Rae"

Barack did not attack black fathers!!  He simply gave some facts and suggestions that we as African Americans need to stop denying!!  Stop giving excuses and playing victim!!  Victims no more! Stand up and take responsibility!!

dr.b, i am i black farther who have been very commented to taking care of my childern my baby girl is 25 and i know that i am good farther.as for your letter to mr.obama i think tha you should shift your great mind to building the brother up than joining the other haters to tear him down at every chance that comes up i love what you are doing with helping your- our people to open our minds up to the truth but please think about what you are doining when you write your letters to a man who is doing the best he can i am pro black and my first concern is to the my brothers and sisters because we are so far behind and its to bad that you spent so much of your time teaching white folks i wish that it would have been with people like me that live in my hood that more than likely will be the farther of my grand children that is why my first concern is with black men hit me back brother       peace percy taylor a black man

Thank you so much for sharing your open letter.  I agree with your sentiment completely.  I won't support a black candidate who has the potential to do more harm to black people than a white liberal candidate.  He has NO incentive to pass legislation that will help black fathers if black folks vote only for color.  The U.S. govt rascist welfare system forced black men out of the home when it was created.  Black women had to choose between their unemployed men and feeding their children.  Thus the cycle began.  No black man wants to abandon his children but, if he can't get a job to feed them the likelihood of abandonment is high amongst ALL men.  Obama catering to rascist makes me want to throw up.  He relieves them of past disgressions against the black community and encourages future ones.  If he won't stand up for black people as he does ALL OTHER people during the campaign, what makes negroes think he will pass legislation to get us the reparations we deserve for 500 years of slavery, and end the complete shut out of black men/people in so many sectors of employment in favor of mexicans/foreigner workers?  Will he re-enact affirmative action which guaranteed the children of slaves a precious few jobs?  If he is not man enough to stand up and demand equal treatment for blacks we should not be voting for him.
 
Historically white rascist america has used one of our own to put us down and keep us at the bottom.  There is nothing new about it.  There is nothing historical and good in lifting a few black people up, to destroy the masses.  This will not contribute to the GREATEST GOOD for the black masses.
 
I never thought I'd see the day when I would consider not voting at all.

Cheryl Hudson