A ‘No More Excuses’ Christmas?

Maryann states the obvious, however it is profound. The family unit is central to the suucess of family anf the future of a country. We have destroyed the black family with liberal ideas and low expectations to the point that they do not even see themselves as a family unit. This destroys their children - unwed teen mothers and good for nothing boys who want to get into every pant there is including non-black.

The black population may need to swallow their pride and insist on non-black teachers and principals. Why not look for over acheiving Asians for starters and use them as an example.

How so? Is this a new "empowerment". Reserved for only those of "color"? Hey, we are all "colored"
Does the minority classification "change"? Welfare applications are simply rubber stamped for approval, if, you are of the correct "persuasion". Rampant abuse of social services, money grants, loan schemes, and "religeo-political" entitlements are what suck the economy dry. Hey, humans! When are you going to be just that?

The most profound thing you said in this article was "One of things I discovered during the research for the Marry Your Baby Daddy Day event is that many unwed couples with children simply lack role models and education about marriage. They have the will to marry, but just aren't motivated." This has been the case with me. I was raised by a single mother and never had the role models to look up to. Failed marriages were all I saw when I was growing up. Most of the guys I've dated were also raised in single parent homes and they had the same issues. Marriage isn't a priority when you don't see it being something as beautiful as the Obama's.

I would like to applaud Ms. Reid for her initiative to promote marriage within the black community. Marriage gets a bad rap, not just in the black community, but in popular culture as well. It "doesn't mean anything", it "limits freedom", and it "won't last anyway". The revival of marriage and courtship (a necessary predecessor) will be a powerful force for strengthening the foundations of our society, which benefits all families.

Marcus Garvey- would be able to see through all of this.
Huey Newton- would be able to see through all of this.
Malcolm X- would be able to see through all of this.

-Even, Tupac Amaru Shakur would've been able to see through all of this (if he were alive today- and, if he weren't busy using his celebrity status to convince the "hip-hop generation" to get out the vote just because of a black candidacy).

Until the conditions that cause the 'hood' to be what it is in the first place cease to persist, this nation having a black president won't really even matter. I agree with anyone whom has suggested that it shouldn't require seeing a black First Family in the White House (lol- what an oxymoronic pun) for black people to re-think their self-esteem and goals because it shouldn't.

Unfortunately, what I see as a cultural result from Barack's prior candidacy and subsequent election-win is the beginning of a classism division within the black community that actually began to burgeon during the Clinton years due to the seeming prosperity that allowed for "black-flight" to suburban lifestyles. Blacks will be blaming and finger-pointing to each other about the conditions that differentiate between those faced with inner-city hardship and poverty and those that have apparently moved up and ahead in society (-Indeed, this has already been occurring and will continue to).

This is the "house" versus the "field"- but on a different level at a different time. Blacks will seemingly not be able to blame the "powers-that-be" anymore because the powers-that-be are seemingly "black".

Why does it take a black President for the black community to take pride in themselves and not blame other people and situations they haven't bothered to get out of.....for all their problems? Pride comes from within....not from Obama....sorry.....While they may be proud of him as their new President, he is not a Messiah and their problems will STILL continue until they make an effort to change their OWN lives. Just because they haven't had a black President did NOT make them have children out of wedlock, did not make them turn to poverty and street crime instead of jobs, and other things that has occurred....THAT was a BAD LIFE CHOICE and they need to take RESPONSIBILITY for that just like any OTHER RACE does. Since the LACK of a black President DID NOT CREATE the problems, having one will not FIX the problems......there are deeper reasons. If you need SOMEONE ELSE to validate YOU and what you chose to do with your life....that is NOT "healthy". There have been MANY African Americans who are worthy to be looked up to and who have achieved their dreams.....NOT JUST OBAMA......that being said.....THERE HASN'T BEEN "EXCUSES" for some time now. Anytime you use your race, your background, upbringing, or whatever else as an excuse....it will ALWAYS be like an anchor and will hold you back from your full abilities.....doesn't matter WHO you are, or WHAT COLOR either. What you become and achieve.....BEGINS AND ENDS WITH YOU !!!! Yes, you can be encouraged by others...but ultimately, its YOU that has to make that commitment and stick with it, and there ARE NO EXCUSES...you can only blame yourself.

As I've sat here and read through two pages of comments I am saddened by so many of the comments. There is so much hostility and anger from all races. I do think that all races are racist to a certain extent, it's sad but true. We have to stop blaming each other and step up to the plate to make a change, make a difference, and love and help our neighbor. I am white and tonight my daughter had some friends over, 3 were white and 4 were black. I stood at the bottom of the stairs listening to 7 teenagers play video games, talking, laughing, and just hanging out. It warmed my heart that it was just a room of friends not 3 white and 4 black, JUST FRIENDS. If you can't be part of the solution don't be part of the problem. Our country is falling apart and we have to stop blaming each other. We have to come together for our kids and for our future. We can't say welfare is stricktly a black or white issue-it's a poor person issue. Yes, I"m sure there are people on welfare that could probably work but there are people on it that do work and are helping themselves (black and white) To limit problems to just one race is ignorant. My parents grew up poor but my dad went to college on a football scholarship and got an education. Even then he worked 4 jobs when I was growing up so we could have more and I guess you could say I grew up "Middle Class" whatever that means. I'm from the South and I see things everyday that I don't agree with, most of which I speak up about but sometimes I wonder, "what's the point". Views are hammered into our heads from the time we're small and sometimes they just stick with us. But, if some act of kindness, a smile, or just a kind word can make a difference well, I guess I will keep on. When you go to bed pray that your children are safe and racism will one day not exist. But, until then try to be part of the solution, not the problem.
p.s. I'm a country girl-not a redneck, there is a difference.

Well, I certainly hope the author is right and it is about time. It is just too bad it's taking an incompetent president-elect to make you see the obvious. i guess that is what we all have to sacrifice to give you a good role model. and perhaps if black women wouldn't have been so dogmatic about refusing to inter-marry with other races, they would have overcome the depressing life of tolerating failed black fathers and boyfriends long ago.

No matter what race you are, if you cant feed them then don???t breed them. Simple as that.

And "Marry your baby daddy day" is the most idiotic thing I have ever heard. how about find a good man and marry him without him having to be prodded and poked to the alter?
Marriage is not for everyone and I think we all understand that, but the laissez faire attitude is killing the community and we see it in the lack of respect for adults, the cursing in public by black and hispanic teens on public transportation, the lack of respect for human life that allows them to so casually kill each other daily, the lack of parental responsibility and supervision, and the list goes on. Yet when people like Bill Cosby point it out blacks get upset because they feel he is airing their dirty laundry.......
Stop relying on people such as this woman, and the Jesse Jacksons for moral, social guidance etc they only benefit from the victimization of black people. By continually making you victims by having you believe they are fighting for your cause as they get wealthy. America is your country, you are Americans so put your bags down and get to work.