Happy Father’s Day to all fathers; except the Black ones.

History has shown that America does not value the Black family unit, and continues to perpetuate the stereotype that Black men are not loving and caring fathers. So today, when we say “Happy Fathers Day” are we including Black fathers ?

Since slavery Black men have been forcefully separated from their families. Mothers were often left alone to provide for their families. Slavery has ended, and Black men are now being kept out of the home because of institutionalize racism. According to Alexander (2012), there are more Blacks under correction control today than were enslaved in 1850. The “war on drugs” during the years 1988 to 1996 saw a huge number of Blacks being imprisoned for drug crimes. Not violent crimes, but drug crimes. Black children today are more likely to be raised in a single parent household than Black children born in slavery ( Alexander,2012). Black fathers are not in the homes because they are incarcerated.

It is nine times more likely for a Black child to have a parent in prison when compared to White children (Mazza,2003).

Black men are being killed by police, even when compliant and unarmed. Over the last month we have personally witnessed the killings of two Black fathers, leaving a total of 4 Black children fatherless. And those are only the killings we were able to see because they were captured on video recordings.

Now I know I’ll have a reader who will respond with the overused phrase “ Black people are killing each other everyday” as one reason for their absenteeism. And yeah, the news media sensationalizes Black on Black crimes. But I have never heard of a Black man killing another Black man because he was Black. Or incarcerating another Black man because he was Black. Black on Black killing is a problem I agree. Killing in general, is a problem. But Black on Black killing is not rooted in oppression. Black on Black killings are being done by individuals in poverty stricken neighborhoods. Neighborhoods where the Black man’s personal mantra is“ survival of the fittest.” And this personal mantra is based on their geographical location, lack of access to opportunities, schools with poor funding, and single mothers having to work two minimum wage jobs to make ends meet. So selling drugs and defending their “turf,” or taking part in illegal activities is the only way they know how to survive.

“Well, White men get incarcerated too” you may say, and you’re absolutely correct. However, Blacks are incarcerated at more than five times the rates of Whites.

On this Father’s Day, when you spend this day appreciating and thanking your father for always being there. Think of all the little Black children that are left without their fathers because they are incarcerated by a system that does not believe they are worthy.

It is time for us to allocate monies into programs that will teach self sufficiency and encourage economic stability, instead of funding a system that does not provide reform or rehabilitation. A system that does not tend to the mental health needs of those incarcerated. A system that will incarcerate someone for 15 years and let them loose on society without life skills training. A system that heavily funds incarceration, and barely funds education.

Please note, that I do believe people who commit crimes should be punished, but the punishment should match the crime, and there must be equity across all races when these punishments are being handed down.

Happy Fathers Day, and yes…you too Black Father.

Alexander, M., & West,C. (2012). The new Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the age of color blindness. New York, NY:New Press

Mazza,C. (2002). And the world fell apart: The children of incarcerated fathers. The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, 83 (5), 521-529