Obama calls for black men to control the circumstances in which they live

While one Illinois Senator is busy clouding the Democratic message, the other exhorted fathers in the black community to earn the love and respect of their children by acting like “full grown” men and living their values.

Barack Obama’s Father’s Day message to the congregation at Christ Universal Temple was one of accepting accountability and creating opportunity. In the message, Obama said:

too many fathers "engage in childish things, who are more concerned about what they want than what's good for other people."

He encouraged black fathers to set an example of excellence for their children, take responsibility for their own actions, foster education and live their values, and promote kindness and hope in their children.

This is a message that we can all support – regardless of race. And, it’s a message that is making Barack Obama a leading contender for the Presidency either in 2008 or beyond.