Are republicans really the party of “family values”?
It is curious, but not surprising, that the leading Republican contenders for President have declined the invitation to participate in the All-American Republican Presidential Forum – a debate designed to address concerns of particular interest to the African-American community.
The African-American community is afflicted with twin political evils: One party that refuses to compete for its vote and the other that takes its vote for granted. The result is that real concerns of the African-American community are routinely ignored by both.
Ironically, the Republicans, who claim to be the party of “family values,” will miss an opportunity to dialogue with Black America on an issue that concerns us all – the state of our families.
As the great civil rights pioneer and matriarch, Dr. Dorothy I. Height, reminds us, “we have survived because of family.” That said, the African-American community must admit something to ourselves: our families today are not as strong as they could or should be. They are not as strong as our children need them to be.
THE COVENANT WITH BLACK AMERICA Movement has embraced the value of a strong family as a core and essential component to the Black communities strength and survival.
In fact, if one looks at each principle in THE COVENANT WITH BLACK AMERICA, one finds that the family is the common denominator.
The responsibility for fostering and protecting healthy familial bonds is the most important a community can assume. Education is crucial, but the family is the first school, and family members are the first teachers.
Economic well-being is essential, but strong families cultivate the habits that make reliable workers, imaginative entrepreneurs, passionate labor leaders, and responsible employers.
Political involvement is indispensable, but caring families nurture the integrity and selflessness that distinguish engaged citizens and effective leaders.
For these reasons, any serious effort to improve the conditions of life in the Black community must confront the challenges facing the family.
The uncomfortable truth is – as citizens of this great country, we are failing our children, our families, and hence our democratic ideals.
In a prolific commentary several years ago, Condoleeza Rice said, “The success of democracy depends on public character and private virtue. For democracy to thrive, free citizens must work every day to strengthen their families, to care for their neighbors, and to support their communities.
We need the help of our fellow Americans to move beyond politics and put the issue of families at the top of the national agenda and we need government policies that combine bold initiatives to address persistent economic inequalities with support for healthy, safe, nurturing relationships, marriages, and families. And so we ask each of the candidates, Democratic and Republican alike, to answer a simple question: As President, what concrete steps would you take to play a role in strengthening Black families?
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