Martin Luther King Jr: Have We Learned from the Past?

Martin Luther King's Birthday. What have we learned from his crusade in support of civil rights and economic justice? During MLK's Memphis crusade in 1968 many African-Americans wore signs around their necks that read "I Am A MAN". Reviewing some MLK photos from 1968 it made me realize how difficult it must have been to not be considered an EQUAL to all men during that time. There is no way to fully understand the pain and courage of these men as they marched with MLK across Beale Street in Memphis.

This is still happening today! Not just against African Americans but towards all men in the family court system. Most fathers after a divorce become a sub-class within our society. They become a check in the mail to their children and are given "visitation time". Contrary to what radical women's groups would want you to believe, most fathers do not willing accept less time with their children. These non-custodial fathers are looked upon as dead beat parents even if they are timely with their child support payments! The discrimination is even worse if you are an African American father! Fathers, of any color, are being forced into a system that can take away any sense of pride left after a divorce. Many have to work numerous jobs just to avoid being arrested for non-payment of a child support order.

From libera lex to liberam legem amittere!

I personally spoke with a well known minister on the west side of Michigan. He described to me how African American families were forced apart with no say during slavery! Fathers in particular were ripped away from their families never to see them again. This minister is involved with a current civil rights struggle. Fit fathers are ripped apart from their children after a divorce! Yes, there are rare cases where this is not true. Only if you have actually experienced this yourself would you understand the pain! These were your children...until the divorce. We hear all of the politics of fatherhood and how much they are needed for their benefit of their children. Yet, current family law practices in Michigan (and U.S.) do not allow fathers to do just that! Those fathers who continue their fight to have more time with their children are labeled as "angry fathers" and are looked at like criminals and treated like terrorists. Even worse if you are an African American father! You are routinely stereotyped as the ultimate dead beat dad. How many stories are heard on the news of all of the incredible things African American fathers routinely do everyday with their children? Sadly the media makes the decision to not share these with the public.

Why have we not learned from MLK? Why did Michigan Democrats not support a house bill that would have allowed fathers to be considered EQUAL parents after a divorce? Two of those Michigan Democrats have districts with shameful crime rates. We always hear that if fathers would just take an active role in their child's life that this would directly reduce crime. If that is the case why did Rep. Brenda Clack and Rep. Lamar Lemmons Jr. vote against a bill that would protect civil liberties? Rep Dudley Spade? Rep. Gino Polidori? Michigan Democratic House Policy Staff?

The Democratic Party always flaunts how they are the party of inclusion. They are actually very intolerant of: 1) Religion 2) Fathers 3) Traditional Families 4) American Pride 5) the American Military 6)...and the worst of all - any African American who stands as a proud Republican or Conservative is labeled as a "sell-out" or "uncle toms". Condoleezza Rice has sadly been termed such! Harry Belafonte, in 2002, called Sec of State Colin Powell a "White House nigger". My God how pathetic, ignorant and cruel for someone to say this!

What have we learned from MLK?

I am a MAN! I AM a Dad! Stop the war against fathers! Whether Black or White, fit Fathers deserve EQUAL time with their children after a divorce! When will we ever learn?

Many Fathers, whether Black or White, after the divorce take on the color of Purple! They struggle to maintain a part of their child's life while joining a new family of fathers, mothers, step-parents and grandparents - Fathers4Justice.