Thread by @tillwefree

Since it's #FathersDay, let's celebrate Black fathers by countering racist narratives of Black men’s involvement in their children's lives and exploring where some of it comes from. (1/14) 🧵

Black fathers are routinely framed as being absent in the lives of their children, and I was tryna figure out where this came from, which led me to the Moynihan Report (2/14)

The report, which was released in 1965, was from the Office of Policy Planning and Research under the Department of Labor. Written by Daniel Moynihan (3/14)

It argues that the problems of the black community are from absent fathers, and quite literally, the lack of a patriarchal household. Not structural oppression, not discrimination. Also, black men not being masculine enough (4/14)

It was written by the government during the civil rights movement, so its about as terrible as you might expect (5/14)

The report described children born out of wedlock as “illegitimate”, while stating that matriarchal qualities of black households existed due to the failures of black men. (6/14)

Being married doesn’t make you a good father any more than not being married makes you a bad one. Even though this report was 50 years ago, the perception of absent black fathers continues to persist, while leaning on this sort of logic (7/14)

Despite all the obstacles Black men navigate, Black men set the bar high for being good fathers (8/14)

According to a CDC study that measured paternal involvement in child rearing, Black fathers were found to be the most involved (9/14)

Of nonresidential fathers, Black men are more likely (67%) to see their kids at least once a month or more when compared to white (59%) and Hispanic fathers (32%) (10/14)

Even though Black men are more likely to be nonresidential fathers, that does not mean that they are uninvolved, which is how Black men have been framed (11/14)

African American fathers are “more likely to remain in regular contact with their children even after entering into relationships with new partners and having children with them.” (12/14)

Black men have been able to adapt to systemic obstacles like mass incarceration and discrimination to continue to remain an active part of their children's lives, while in many cases, serving the role of a social father as well (13/14)

Just wanted to share a little piece of my day to let brothers know they are appreciated. I know we don't always feel the love, so Happy Fathers Day to all the Black fathers out there! (14/14)