flava sept oct nov 20152

By Brandt Edwards
In the court of public opinion,
the verdict is crystal clear.
The jury doesn’t take long to render a decision. There isn’t a
need for the twelve (12) to be sequestered; no threat of a mistrial
or the jury being hung. From a room adjacent to the proceedings,
the bailiff escorts the jurors back to their seats as the crowd
anxiously awaits the outcome. The court reporter is patient, yet
precisely accurate with the diction being used. The judge has
returned from his chambers and grows weary of the litigation
before him. On trial yet again is the “Black” male. His crime:
accused of being a “deadbeat dad”, an “absentee father”, merely
a sperm donor. After enduring the kidnappings from his native
lands; surviving the rigors of the middle passage during the
Trans Atlantic Slave Trade; being stripped of his name, culture
and dignity – forced into a lifetime of servitude; scratching and
clawing to be considered equal, once more he stands before his
peers to defend his honor. The plaintiffs: The “Black” female, the
mainstream media, movies, television and record executives; all
of who has contributed to his demise. How did we get here? Can
the “Black” male ever be exonerated and forgiven for his transgressions?
It’s our job as men to correct these acts and ensure the
story is told correctly; show that the evidence is unyielding on our
behalf. Prove that the images and data being relayed to the public
are the exception, not the rule. We’ll proceed as follows:
When people discuss fatherhood, they assume that African-American
men aren’t part of the equation. The media presents figures that
show an overwhelming number of men are absent from their children’s
lives. For every James Evans from the television show “Good
Times” you have Stevie J of “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta”; for every
Cliff Huxtable of “Cosby Show” fame, you have Peter Gunz of “Love
and Hip Hop New York”. The graphs and pie charts are nothing short of
damning when reports, studies, statistics and other data are presented.
The imagery contributes to the public’s perception that “we” would
rather have a harem of women, father children by each of them,
of them, then return to a lifestyle of dysfunction, as opposed to taking care of our responsibilities
and being a pillar in a family structure. The negative illustrations supersede
the achievements of the men that play active roles in the children’s lives.
There isn’t a need to put “Desperately Seeking Daddy” with a picture of the alleged father
on the side of a milk carton. No need for the unfair generalizations that proclaim Black
fathers as being shiftless, selfish and the ones who abandon their children. We’re here for
our children just as much as any other race. What about the fathers who have been driven
away by angry mothers? Or the family law system which does little to defend fathers’
bond with their children? When making their arguments to demonized the Black male,
is divorce ever considered? What about the breakups of unmarried couples? It’s bigger
than what can be explained in a thirty minute exposé; it’s economic, sociological, psychological,
cultural and political. These explanations should be regarded when having
this discussion.
“When seeing a father taking care of his children,
it shouldn’t be
considered an abnormality.”
When seeing a father taking care of his children, it shouldn’t be considered an abnormality.
Data published by the Center for Disease Control revealed that Black fathers spend more
time in their children’s day-to-day lives than fathers from other racial groups. If a couple
doesn’t get married, that shouldn’t be perceived as the man being absent or he doesn’t support
his children financially. Just because he doesn’t marry the child’s mother doesn’t mean
he loves his children any less. Commitment to the bearer of the child isn’t necessary to
take care of one’s responsibilities. A father is their daughter’s first love, their son’s first hero.
What isn’t shown is the encouragement given during the birthing process; the diapers being
changed or late night feedings; tip-toeing in the dark to leave money as the Tooth Fairy or
the glow of pride a father has from being present during their child’s milestone accomplishments.
There won’t be much fanfare or advertisements honoring the father’s role in a child’s
development. Social media posts run rampant on Father’s Day with quotes such as “Happy
Father’s Day to the real men who take care of their kids”; or, “Happy Father’s Day to all the
single mothers playing the role of both mom and dad.” Both of these quotes are shots at the
Black males’ supposed inability to care for their seeds. Even Hallmark, with their Mahogany
Brand specifically designed for people of color, has capitalized on the situation. Starting
back in 2011, they created designs celebrating Black mothers supposedly carrying the distinction
with their “To Mom on Father’s Day” selection. And because of this, the Black male
has been placed in a position to defend himself from the atrocities of the world’s view of him
as it relates to fatherhood.
The bailiff addresses the courtroom by stating, “All Rise!” And with palms sweating and a
nervousness that can be felt in the pit of his stomach, the defendant anxiously awaits the
jury’s verdict to be read. “We the people of the United States and society at large, find the
Black father guilty of the charges brought against you for being absent from your children’s
lives. Until further evidence is shown to reverse and dismiss this verdict, the conviction will
remain.