With Father’s Day just around the corner, President Barack Obama has written and contributed a personal essay to People Magazine’s upcoming weekly issue. In the composition, the father of 2 girls shared a bit about his life without a father and how he has managed to not repeat history and be the father he never had to his two daughters, Malia & Sasha. Peep a snippet of the essay below:
I grew up without a father around. I have certain memories of him taking me to my first jazz concert and giving me my first basketball as a Christmas present. But he left when I was two years old.
And even though my sister and I were lucky enough to be raised by a wonderful mother and caring grandparents, I always felt his absence and wondered what it would have been like if he had been a greater presence in my life. I still do. It is perhaps for this reason that fatherhood is so important to me, and why I’ve tried so hard to be there for my own children.
That’s not to say I’ve always been a perfect dad. I haven’t. When Malia and Sasha were younger, work kept me away from home more than it should have. At times, the burden of raising our two daughters has fallen too heavily on Michelle. During the campaign, not a day went by that I didn’t wish I could spend more time with the family I love more than anything else in the world.
But through my own experiences, and my continued efforts to be a better father, I have learned something over the years about what children need most from their parents. [Source]
You can read his essay in its entirety as well as exclusive family pictures in the new issues of People Magazine ON SALE NOW!
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I love you for doing this President OBAMA…XOXOXS take note! mothers and fathers…why cant people do more loving positive things like these!!! children need it too awws
He seems to be doing an excellent job as a parent. His children are very fortunate to have him as a father:-)
Yeah yeah we know, enough already.
I’m gonna need to you to CLOCK THE FUCK OUT. NOW.
jealous ?! pffff…
I see this from another angle than the average Obamabot…
Once again,Obama is putting down his Kenyan (African) father and Blacks in general especially Black men who are not doing the right thing and he’s trying to prop himself as if he as a half white man is the ultimate example for Black people but unfortunately too many Blacks have fallen for the okie doke.The half White Obama will never speak or even hint at any ills in his White people.Now of course Obamabots get highly upset when people like me point out the fact that he’s half white but it’s truth,so deal with it accordingly.Obama is just another sick politician that uses the ills that affect some Blacks for political gain.
sigh…..this has nothing to do with politics. Race. Status. Its simply about being a father. THIS MAN can’t bring another man down who is already down. Racism is not going to get you anywhere. GOD created man, races, etc and with that being said…as a black woman…I”m not going to keep racism alive by pointing out the flaws of each group. white, black, etc…have good men and bad men. If you can see hypocricy and predjudice and hatred by a man who is simply saying that he wants to be a better father than the one he had…then that is shameful. Only God knows the heart….
I didn’t see his statement as villainizing black men. If his Dad walked out on him and happens to be black and his mother stepped up to the plate to raise him by herself and she happens to be white…those are just the FACTS of the matter. It has to be pretty exhausting being paranoid and only seeing the negative in everything.
You know what, are you insinuating that black men are not doing the right thing by their children? Would you have said that- he was accusing black men of not fathering their children- if his mother were a black women? Get a grip, their are father’s that stay around and father’s that don’t it doesn’t really matter what their race is. He can voice his life’s experience without speaking about his race why can’t people like you listen without thinking to hard about his ethnics,racism has lots of shades be careful I’m sure if you close your mind to his colors you will hear what he is actually saying.
somebody needs a life!!! when did race become an issue in this mans personal discussion about his absent father during his upbringing!!! u are definitely foolish and negative and call me an obamabot, i dont care! make sure u refer to me as a Jesusbot too!!!
he felt compelled to let other people know whats it like trying to be your best when the person that was supposed to show u the way thru life abandons u do u know how that feels???? well who feels it knows….
absentee parent situations are not exclusive to the black or african communities for that matter. plenty of whites dont have their daddies. Glad obama speaking on something that he had first experience with. Anyone taking an issue with it is acting extra defensive or perhaps just not stepping up to the parenting plate themselves.smdh
that is why i wanna be a teacher…i can write a letter too similar…jus coz hes in the spotlight ppl will critize its a positive thing let it be positive let it be…read learn grow!
If you have children out here and you are not takeing care of them then you need ot be villinized. How can you sit there everyday and feed your face, buy new clothes, or put on shoes and not know if your child or children has any of those things. Anyone who is offended by this is obviously a dead beat dad. If you are your children are offended by you not being there.
I am so sick and tired of some of these men who go around and have all of these kids and don’t take care of them.
You are the reason society is just so terrible and guess what your children never get over it. He apparently hasn’t and he is the President of the the freakin United States.
So get yourself fixed or get some kind of order about yoruself and stop having all this damn kids and then you won’t be victimized or villinized according to someone on this post. Dead beat take care of your children.
Preach!
I’m not shocked @ the responses given to my opinion because like I stated,I don’t think on the level of “Obamabots”….Actually I think it must be pretty exhausting for Obamabots to feel that all Blacks must think as you do for Obama.
First off,I’m not a parent but I bet some of you are single baby mommas that laid down with men who were deadbeats when you met them and still are,and I say this as a female.The same way the slick talking Obama can speak on this issue,he could very well speak on the real issue of racism from his White people but that will be a cold day in hell before that guy speak on that issue,he will just continue to use wedge issues to down Blacks but you Obamabots will never see it….
Obamabots are people with simple minds and simple responses,for instance:One Obamabot seems to think I’m paranoid because I mention his African father and the fact that he is also half White…Another Obamabot said that I “need” to get a life because of what I wrote,Does that mean you need to get a life because “you took the time to read it”? I know that it is a little to do deep for you to comprehend…
In the age of The half White Obama,”independent thinking Blacks” have become more increasingly maligned by the one track thought having Black Obamabots.You don’t any respect of any Black person that gives a view different than what you feel for Obama.
Only a fool would even believe that the constituents owe a politician anything.It’s also comical to see that someone refer to themself as an Jesusbot,I mean really,really? The problem with that kind of ignorance is that you worship Obama as if that evil man is Jesus,you poor critter…..
I’m on a different level because I use the brain my creator gave me.People that respect what the creator has done for them also respect the fact that the creator gave everyone their own brain to use.Weak and possessed minds need to be led by some charlatan.
oooh now u know u are wrong for saying some of this stuff….i applaud u for “knowing better” and “being a strong person” but dam….think beyond ur nose because this world is the way it is because of many different things…ppl jus dont lay down ppppl fall in love ppl r deluded..some lied to o my gosh so many unfortunate situations….dont point jus b a role model for every child u come in contact with yourself…shaking my head…@ angry comments….
There are many things that people do that could be criticized but what you Black Obamabots miss is that ‘Obama ignore those other things’ because this is the second time he has talked either directly or indirectly about Black men because of his African father.
Obama’s mother more or less left him with his Grandparents to take care of him but there will be a cold day in hell before he speak on her abandonment…
Black people are in a very dangerous place when it comes because your minds have been so co opted….Blacks with minds that have not been co-opted can only feel others with like minds,we can’t even begin to comprehend Blacks with simple mindsets….
Err does he not speak directly as a black man anyway? Yes he’s half white but society does not see him as a white man he’s seen as a black man, speak to any issue that affects the race/culture of his parents or stepfather and he’s seen as commenting indirectly on his life and the affect they had on him
Anytime he speaks of course it’s seen as a dialog to black men in particular because he’s black, recently there has been technology world dialog on the lack of blacks/women, was it framed as hey blacks whacha doing? Nope because a white guy spoke to the issue it was framed as what can whites do to encourage more people of color and women into the field.
Issues are always colored dependent on who speaks to it, if Joe Blow wrote “If I did it” and not OJ no one would care, duh
black white who cares…? its this way of thinkin has black people thinking they are less than they are..?? u type things randomly coz i feel u feel ure more inferior than u let on. U CANNOT HATE A PERSON BECAUSE SOMEONE ELSE TOLD U URE NOT GOOD ENUFF…you love yourself for who u are….the world works the way it does but u r unique.
I just want to know what race has to do with his statement? i mean seriously because i think he’s mainly stressing the importance of being a present father through his experience. i’m no obamabot or anything but i can sense when the disecting is just out of control. Through people’s responses i think that some folks see him as taking a “perfect” attitude about him being a father which im sure is not true. I dont support obama in everything but i dont think its right by saying he’s putting down his kenyan father??? I dont think im simple minded lol… i just dont see the put down
I should have also put this in my statement as to why I brought it up in the first place.Let me explain my view for those that actually aren’t afraid to use their minds.
During the 2008 campaign,Obama went to a Black church in Chicago on fathers day and dogged out Black men who were not doing the right thing my being fathers to their kids and on that occasion,he also talked about his Kenyan father.The church was full of Black men with their children who were doing the right thing…..
Now for my people who are politically astute,you recall how much racism the half white Obama received at rallies both republican and democrat and yet the half white Obama was silent about that racism.The only thing he has had the balls to criticize whether overtly or covertly is Black people.As a person who is not an Obamabot,that is not cool with me.Now of course Obamabots have no problem with it and they think all Blacks must also be so passive about the half white man that comes in Black face but I refused to be a fool for that nonsense.
Now i dont like the “obama can do no wrong folks” because clearly I think the importance of this article is FATHERHOOD not necessarily race! simple minded is what i just stated but it also applies to people who disect each and every wording like you’re my fucking advanced english teacher lol
@ Hassan …You are too sensitive because I don’t have that kind of time to disect what you wrote.I responded to what you wrote but again you and I are on two different levels.
Yes I do get that Obama is talking fatherhood but that is not the theme of what I convey about Obama………If you comprehended well,you would know that I was critiquing the fact that a “HALF WHITE MAN”,pay attention now.Obama is HALF WHITE and YET he can only criticize his Kenyan father,now to a person that is able to see through the smokescreen,YOU will also understand that he’s covertly and overtly criticizing Black men again just as he did in 2008.
Only a simple minded person/OBAMABOT will think it’s okay that a HALF WHITE MAN can only go around criticizing his Kenyan father,while pretending his other half( THE WHITE HALF) are so perfect.
Carry on Obamabot,carry on…
I should have also put this in my statement as to why I brought it up in the first place.Let me explain my view for those that actually aren’t afraid to use their minds.
During the 2008 campaign,Obama went to a Black church in Chicago on fathers day and dogged out Black men who were not doing the right thing by being fathers to their kids and on that occasion,he also talked about his Kenyan father.The church was full of Black men with their children who were doing the right thing…..
Now for my people who are politically astute,you recall how much racism the half white Obama received at rallies both republican and democrat and yet the half white Obama was silent about that racism.The only thing he has had the balls to criticize whether overtly or covertly is Black people.As a person who is not an Obamabot,that is not cool with me.Now of course Obamabots have no problem with it and they think all Blacks must also be so passive about the half white man that comes in Black face but I refused to be a fool for that nonsense.
Correction…..
PRESIDENT OBAMA I WANNA THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BEING A BRILLANT PRESIDENT OF ALL TIME….THE FAMILY PORTRAIT LOOKS GREAT…CONTIUE TO DO A GOOD JOB… AND YOU WILL BE RELECTED….THEY TRYING TO GET YOU TO SIDETRACK..DONT BELIEVE THE HEIGHT….I HOPE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THE BEST.
No actually Obama is trying to get you sidetracked and trust me,it has worked for him too when it comes to Black Obamabots.Many of you are so ignorant,I bet you don’t know about the campaign Obama has where he paid Black blogs and Black radio hosts a total of 3,000,000 dollars right before mid term elections last year to get out propaganda for Obama to Blacks and like any other Black Obamabot,you don’t even have the sense to be insulted……
Black blogs/Black radio uses propaganda towards Blacks the same way Fox uses it towards white racists,I’m just so glad I see it….
Spare me the bull about what society see him as because Obama is biracial whether you Obamabots like it not and he knows it too,I mean why the hell do you think when he was recently in Ireland that he went in search of his Irish roots.Are you honestly so desperate to believe a man that came out of a white woman when he was born should just deny his birthright because it makes you uncomfortable?
The only people that see him as Black are pure racists and Blacks who are desperate to feel you ‘stuck it to the White man’ because you participated in getting Obama elected.Newsflash”Obama” is also THE MAN,….
You see one of the reasons I completely think Obamabots are absurd is because of the very fact that the foundation of what you say about Obama is based on lies about his race.
Again,I’m not an Obamabot so I think on another level so I don’t fall for the old slave laws quotes because no matter which way it’s shook,Obama is just as white as he is Black…Ah,you Obambots are always talking about stuff is not race,and yet you always repeat that “Obama is soley a Black man lie” and that is the only reason you support him.
I just think it’s comical as to how the rules are not the same for Obama as it is for others who are biracial.You will refer to them as mixed or some other ignorant description but now you pretend that Obama is not like other who are Biracial,stop the madness.
@SAGE AM NOT WORRYING ABT RACISMN ..MY CONCERN IS THAT OBAMA IS DOING A GOOD JOB AND THE REPUBLUICANS ARE PLAYING THAT ROLL LIKE HES NOT.. AM PAYING ATTENTION … BUT AM NOT CAUGHT UP IN TO THE POINT WHERE AM LOSING FOCUS….WHEN BUSH HAD HIS BUTT IN THAT WHITE HOUSE YOU COULDNT HEAR A BEEP…SO BEEP BEEP TOOT TOOT OBAMA IS DOING THE THING… POINT BLANK
Of course you are not worrying about racism,most Obamabots are not worried anything except praising Obama.
Just stay in your ignorant space because I want no part of such ignorance and brainwashing.
We adore you Mr. President!
Correction….You and the rest of the Obamabots adore and worship him.Don’t make the mistake of believing that all Blacks must feel the same about the half white Obama.
Sage’s responses sounds like the smug stupidity Judah spews. Obama’s Dad walked out on him, and somehow he’s in the wrong for talking/writing about it?! Regardless of race, men who leave their families need to be put on blast loudly and often. Racism is an important issue, but IMO not as much as deadbeat Dads. The negative impact on a child with an absentee father cannot be ignored and should be discussed- not shoved under the rug for the sake of protecting the black man’s image. If black men are upset about having an image of being deadbeat Dads then they need to be mad at the black men who are deadbeat Dads-not thePresident who was embattled by such neglect. Racism hasn’t made my life hard, but if my Dad had walked out on my Mom…I would have had a lower quality of life and I would’ve been less happy.
“Classless” you are mistaken…My responses sound like someone who is not brainwashed about Obama,I know it’s shocking isn’t is?Sweetie just go back to your circle because I’m quite sure most of the people you deal with are Obamabots just like you are,you will then be comforted by them.
You see I’m an independent thinking Black and baby that is as scare as a pink and green elephant….
@CLASSY!
Do you dream about me at night lmao? You’re far too much of a simpleton to understand what “Sage” is speaking about in regards to this buffoon, Obama. Furthermore, his upbringing is not what he or the media depicts it to be. This topic is very deep on many levels which is why I did not comment in the first place. Most of the people on a thread like this are almost always going to be simple, crab-minded black women (such as yourself).
Way to not adress anything I actually said lol. I guess it can’t be disputed. And clearly, “Sage” and Judah are the same person. Judah, you have to at least switch up the writing style and dialect a little bit if you’re gonna pretend to be someone else.
I just love the obamas they could do no wrong. http://t.co/0eJhVMx
I’ve read this already. I hate the mere fact that this article is being mentioned days later as this to me is considered interesting news. should i be irritated or am i just trippin?
*scarce*
Congrats and Happy Father’s Year to all the amazing Fathers *(bio or not) caring for their children adn the children of the “men” who left them behind- I love my non-bio Father, because he’ll never be a “Step” to me…for as I’m concerned, he “Step”ped up to the plate and I love him and the Father who was there and claimed me, before I was even born- they truly made this Black woman here feel very special, wanted, and accepted in this world! <3 y'all!
somebody stated she didn’t have the time to dissect another person post then proceeded to respond to almost all the post after that… guess she was being sarcastic…hehe
Come at me Direct and Correct because I said that I didn’t have time to disect responses.Now it’s not shocking that you felt the fact that my response was disecting rather it just being my response….
Simple minds are too abundant and you have an abundance of simple minds that will await you.
blah blah blah..I’m tired of seeing/hearing about this man & his wife.
Hi @ Judah,I wasn’t aware that someone actually posts here by the name of Judah.I was last here probably 2 years ago.
You see how these simple Obamabots are and it’s like that on any blog.They so badly want to believe that there is just one Black person that critique Obama.
For thinking people like you and I,what I wrote is totally not that hard to understand but see these fools are on the political plantation and they got blinders on when it comes to Obama…..
Obama is using these people through others like Sharpton and Sharpton is selling these people out to make sure he keep an open room in the Whitehouse.Obama is a half White and Kenyan man who supports Israel just as the rest of the presidents but they try to act as if he’s DIFFERENT.Obama denounced Farrakhan and Wright with the quickness.He participates with France and others to bomb Libya and he is killing innocent fathers of children there.Now he has frozen assets for Kenya due to an American agenda.He is also the same person who went to African in his first year in office and insulted people there by denying that colonization had an affect on the people.A friend of mine who is from Kenya, was the BIGGEST supporter of Obama and I told him,he will disappoint you because he has a Black face but he has white supremacy ingrained in him because he was raised by his Grand Parents and now he calls me from California weekly and vent about Obama and says “I should have listened to you” but atleast he finally woke up.
Black people love to claim they believe in God but if they really did,they COULD NOT be so easily led.Many are too stupid to look beyond the surface and Obama is playing on their emotions big time,he even said once that Blacks are emotional people.
Obama knows all he has to to do is prop up that family of his to impress Black people and that is truly scary.
Well said by President Obama. He wants to be a better father to his daughters, and that is a great thing. I grew up without father, and I know how important it is for children to have both parents, who are positive in their lives.
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