Comments on: The Message is Clear: African-American Children Need Us

By: Lisa Maria Carroll

Lisa Maria Carroll — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:48:13 +0000

We’re up against an institution of poverty, and not just a mindset. We all have a duty to be the village that it takes to raise children, whether they are our own, or not.

I challenge everyone to be the change they want to see, and change will come.

By: Leida

Leida — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:38:11 +0000

Kim,

Thank you so much for reading and sharing your feedback. It is GREATLY appreciated!

By: Kim Crouch

Kim Crouch — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:49:16 +0000

Great Great post!

By: Leida

Leida — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:21:41 +0000

Thank you so much for such a thoughtful and powerful post. Unfortunately, there are too many fathers who’ve clearly decided not to parent, leaving many women and children without much needed support. Fortuntely, however, there are many, many fathers who do parent, and I’d like to acknowledge them.

When it became clear to me that my son’s father had no interest in parenting or taking responsibility for our child, I had to refocus my attention on the two of us, realizing that I couldn’t control him or force him to help. I think where it is a viable option, we should pursue a healthy co-parenting relationship, however, when it becomes clear that the other party has no interest in that partnership, it is best to refocus that energy where we can have the biggest impact: on ourselves and our children.

I was just committed to raising a healthy, happy and whole son who was self-confident, self-assured, with the highest possible level of self-esteem, despite who was or wasn’t there.

I agree, we all need to step it up; however, many of our men are failing us. And yes, we are in a state of emergency and black women have to save ourselves and our children.

By: LF

LF — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:45:40 +0000

There is no doubt that African American children are in need of healthy and happy homes. While the ideal healthy and happy home is of course with 2 involved, committed and hardworking parents, our reality is that our black babies are being raised more often that not in single parent, female headed households. I recently had a conversation with a friend and she posed the question, ” What do we do”? What do we do when we have men who cannot or will not step up to being “whole fathers” who are engaged in all aspects of their children’s lives and well being? What do we do with the daddies who refuse to contribute financially and think that we are all gold diggers because we remind them that children need to eat,
wear clothes, have a roof over their head, have safe and secure childcare and the list goes on, as well as be loved, mentored and nurtured. What do we do when he simply us not there are all? Do we accept the fact that if our sons are growing up without daddy, more likely than not, our son will become one of those men that I sit here and write about. I am scared to death that the cycle will continue and my daughter will end up with one of those “boys” who were not taught to be men and yet again the cycle continues.

While I am the first to admit that we have our faults as women, the reality is that our men need to stand up and be real men and fathers. Our children and community are so in need of that. We are in a state of emergency and need to rescue ourselves.

By: Leida Speller

Leida Speller — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:48:42 +0000

Hi Martin:

I hope you mean that in a good way.

Thank you so much for reading the post and commenting. I really appreciate it!

By: martin anderson

martin anderson — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:42:06 +0000

I’ve never been hit in the heart like this before.