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Letters | SOME DISSENT ON FATIMAH'S 'MALE CALL'

RE FATIMAH ALI'S "Male call" op-ed: If a white woman had written that she either had to date white men or be alone, cries of "racism" would abound. Ms. Ali might also consider the fact that black men couldn't "drop their seed and then take off" (as she so tastefully put it) if they weren't offered a receptacle. For every "baby daddy," there's a "baby momma."

RE FATIMAH ALI'S

"Male call"

op-ed:

If a white woman had written that she either had to date white men or be alone, cries of "racism" would abound. Ms. Ali might also consider the fact that black men couldn't "drop their seed and then take off" (as she so tastefully put it) if they weren't offered a receptacle. For every "baby daddy," there's a "baby momma."

Rick Keefe, Norristown

First, will all you "professionals" in our communities stop speaking about how negative we black men are. Nothing we do is good enough.

But you don't raise your children with a daily dose of how ignorant, downtrodden and useless they are and expect them to be world-beaters by the time they're 18? Black men in America are more and more becoming a product of their environment - stop polluting it with negativity. Who knows and sees our ills more than us?

You mention that many of us are "ranked as an endangered species." My sister, ALL of us are an endangered species. We have been one since our arrival in this country more than 440 years ago. We have been subjected not only to physical abuse, but verbal abuse, mental abuse, social abuse, employment abuse.

But let's be clear here - I am by no means making excuses. I am proud to be black, would not change my skin color were I granted the opportunity. What I am saying is that there are reasons for everyone's situation in life, if you believe in God.

We have been subjected, historically, to the most heinous treatment of any human being on the face of this earth, yet we are still CEOs, athletic all-stars, judges, doctors, attorneys, artists, anything that has been accomplished by anyone of any ethnicity in this country.

All this, and the fact is never presented that we are the only race of men (and women and children) to be brought to this country AGAINST their will.

You say "some of you brothers are great." But, Ms. Ali, the things you mention - such as working hard, generous with our time, our spirit and money, being good fathers, warriors, respectful of the elderly - are all things that should be expected of us, by you and our God.

It doesn't make one great. What I did notice though, is that out of a 60-sentence article, you devote only 3.5 lines to anything approbatory pertaining to the black man.

Therein lies the problem. Everyone, including our black queens, have a dissenting opinion of the black male. Let's try this: Point out only the positive things both in you and in us. Instead of having a black man hear what he doesn't do, daily, flaunt the positive.

What can it hurt? You see, no one has ever tried it.

Darnell Perry Sr., Philadelphia