I have to admit, when I first heard of Bill Cosby ‘s remarks, a few years back, I thought he made sense. However, after reading this article, I’m beginning to have doubts.
“The worst case estimate is that slightly less than half of black children live in fatherless homes. But that’s only a paper figure. When income, education, individual background, and middle-class status are factored in the gap between black and white children who live in intact, two-parent households is much narrower.”
I thought Cosby was talking about actual flesh and blood children. However, after seeing Mr. Hutchinson’s brilliant statistical analysis, I now see those children only exist on paper. I agree with Mr. Hutchinson. We should not concern ourselves with fictitious children. There is no social issue here. It’s only a matter of using a little creative accounting.
So, kudos to Mr. Hutchinson for dispelling that myth. However, I’m deeply disappointed that in the course of dispelling that myth, Mr. Hutchinson decided to perpetuate the “unemployed black man” myth.
“The chronic near Great Depression levels of unemployment, not to mention rampant job discrimination, endemic failing public schools, and stigma of a criminal record virtually condemn many young black men to wear the tag of societal failures as men and fathers.”
Mr. Hutchinson seems to miss the fact that the high number of unemployed African American males, is only a paper figure. If we compare black men who actually hold jobs, to white men (or any other ethnic group for that) who hold jobs, the employment rate is an identical 100%. So, the whole black employment issue, is being blown out of proportion, and requires no social response.
