Motley Moose – Archive

Since 2008 – Progress Through Politics

On Black fathers


 photo blackfatherandbaby_zps7e75696a.jpg

Father’s day has come and gone again for this year but the myths and memes about black fathers live on. We know how black women are portrayed as welfare queens and grifters. We know young black men are cast as thugs and young black women as promiscuous.  There is push-back against all of those stereotypes from those of us on the left but it’s important to do some myth-busting about the group that rarely garners respect – outside our own community.

Black fathers.

Would like you to read the three following articles:

6 Actual Facts Shatter the Biggest Stereotypes of Black Fathers

1. Black fathers are not conditioned to be absent.

2. Black fathers contribute to their children’s educational success.

3. Black fathers are statistically more likely to be stay-at-home dads.

4. Black fathers are not fueling out of wedlock births on their own.

5. Black fathers are not prejudiced against black women.

6. The prison pipeline targets black fathers, shattering nuclear families.

5 Lies We Should Stop Telling About Black Fatherhood

Black Fathers Aren’t Involved In Their Children’s Lives

The Increasing Number of Single-Parent Homes Is Exclusively A Black Problem

The Number Of Un-wed Mothers Is a Statement on Morality In The Black Community

Men Who Didn’t Have Fathers Won’t Make Good Fathers

Black Fathers Are An Anomaly

The Myth Of The Absent Black Father

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published new data on the role that American fathers play in parenting their children. Most of the CDC’s previous research on family life – which the agency explores as an important contributor to public health and child development – has focused exclusively on mothers. But the latest data finds that the stereotypical gender imbalance in this area doesn’t hold true, and dads are just as hands-on when it comes to raising their kids.

That includes African-American fathers.

In fact, in its coverage of the study, the Los Angeles Times noted that the results “defy stereotypes about black fatherhood” because the CDC found that black dads are more involved with their kids on a daily basis than dads from other racial groups

I had a black father. Many of my relatives are black fathers.  My friends had and have black fathers.  

Are all dads wonderful? Nope.  No matter their color.

But to single out black men as the villains is wrong.  

Thanks Dad. Every day, not just on Father’s Day.




Cross-posted from Black Kos


10 comments

  1. bfitzinAR

    My white father couldn’t handle 5 kids – he took off when the twins were 2 (I was 9, my next sib down was 7, and the “middlin'” was 5).  He came back for a few years later on, decided that child support was too expensive and took off again when I was 15.  He was a WWII vet and I’m fairly sure he had PTSD – committed suicide at age 50 – but that’s a possible why he wasn’t a good father.  It doesn’t change the fact that he wasn’t.

  2. Diana in NoVa

    and ponder. And what magnificent photograph you found to illustrate it, Denise! That is a work of art.

    Haven’t time to read all your links right now but plan to come back later to do so.

    Thank you for the diary. In the face of the numerous lies perpetuated by the traditional media, it’s refreshing to hear the truth.

    Your diary reminds me of a long-ago column by Donna…can’t remember her last name…of The Washington Post. She wrote a paean of praise to the black man. Wish I could find that column. The sense of it, if not the actual words, has stayed in my memory ever since I read it.

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