NPR: Black Fathers Talk Reality vs. Reality TV

Black Fathers Talk Reality vs. Reality TV

Rapper Snoop Dog and his family, as depicted on Snoop Dogg's Father Hood on E!.

Courtesy of E!

Perhaps you've seen Snoop Dogg, Irv Gotti, or Rev. Run try their hands as TV dads. Heathcliff Huxtable they are not ... but this Boston Globe writer seems impressed nonetheless:

The parenting abilities displayed in these shows play against persistent stereotypes in pop culture that present black men as absent fathers. It's not only celebrities who are fighting this perception. Plenty of black men have become effective parents despite lacking a father figure growing up. Until recently, these men's struggles were barely recognized. Now a number of books, television shows, and films are celebrating this movement by showing black fathers responsibly parenting their children.

Read the rest. What do you think of the depiction of black fathers in popular culture?

Geoffrey Bennett

6:21 PM ET | 03- 3-2008 | permalink

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no 'black' fiction can cover the horrible 'usa black' truth...

nearly 80% of usa negroid newborns were 'born b@st@rdized' & 'materially abandoned' one 'or both' of their sexual gamate donors -- over the past 3 decades...

this usa negro 'approved' reproductive choice destroys more than $600 billion of negro economic wealth each year...

...priceless!

Sent by dirtyblues | 7:46 PM ET | 03-03-2008

In partial response to the above comment, I think one should look at the percentage of fathers participating in raising their children, rather than the percentage of children being born. In my personal experience, I see responsible fathers having 1, maybe 2 children, usually by one mother - and irresponsible fathers having several children, by often times, different mothers. Looking at statistics/percentages from the latter perspective (which is what the above commentator seems to be doing) greatly overshadows the amount of good black fathers out there. Also, what about the responsibility potential mothers have in using birth control responsibly and selecting good men as potential fathers to their children???

Sent by Lovenia | 10:51 AM ET | 03-04-2008

Oh my goodness, another one of those questions that makes me sigh; they don't show us in.......they only show us as.......tired!

Can you just BE? That's what matters, not FEELINGS about how 'they'..portray, think or show 'us'.

THE only 'depiction' I'm concerned with is btwn my daughter & myself and my relationship with her doesn't go through pop culture.

This constant need for emotional massaging (affirmation) I just don't get!

Sent by Jon J | 11:44 AM ET | 03-04-2008

I feel where Jon J is coming from. I am a father of two little ones. I can not worry about how others see me as a father. I can only be concerned about how my sons see me.

If the majority of us African American fathers take this approach the perception of Black fathers will change on its own.

Sent by T. Rogers | 1:44 PM ET | 03-04-2008

I'm a white father who lives in a racially diverse NJ town, and I think 'Snoop Dogg's Father Hood' is one of the most unusual shows I have ever seen. I mean, this guy is a (former?) gang-banger who has been depicted onscreen smoking huge joints and surrounded by dozens of half-clad women. The implication that he can also be an enlightened, responsible father is...fascinating. I enjoy this show immensely, even though I can't quite figure out how real it is.

Sent by Dave L. | 6:44 AM ET | 03-06-2008

Lovenia get a clue and grow up!
What about the responsibility of potential fathers to use birth control responsibly and select good women to be the mother of their children?
In your

Sent by Sheila | 9:18 PM ET | 06-14-2008

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