THE TROUBLE WITH BLACK WOMEN....

Have you heard the latest study highlighting Black women in the United States? The study comes out of the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research and was conducted by Dr. Cassandra Dorius; who quickly points out “I would strongly caution you to say that this isn't just a story about African American women. This occurs among women of every race and ethnicity, of every socioeconomic status, education, income, and occupation type. By just focusing on African American women many people are missing the main point, and that is that having children with more than one man is becoming more common among all groups, so this is a story about American women and their experiences as mothers, regardless of color.”

Although Dr. Cassandra – who is not a Black woman - highlights the study comprehensively, she fails to see the brewing National debate regarding Black women as her study exposes the following statistic – “59% of African-American mothers” account for the highest statistical rate of birthed children with different fathers. The stats are startling considering Hispanic mothers are at 35% and white mothers at 22%.

Radio show host, Charles Cole III, Issues After Dark, stated, “It’s funny, I always hear about groups other than Black women commenting on Black women. I want to hear a diverse cross-section of Black women speak candidly about what they think the issues are.”

Sharaya Wiley, alumnus of Hampton University and Religazine Media Group intern stated, “The numbers are startling. However, I feel the reason why these stats are so high is because in our communities this has become acceptable.”

What should be noted among these multiple “baby daddy mommas” is their diversity of backgrounds. Women having multiple children by multiple men is common in all backgrounds irrespective of education, marital status, racial makeup and financial wealth. It should be further noted – many of these multiple birth moms were married to their children’s fathers. Therefore, to assume this statistic only applies to women who are careless single mothers who goals are to live on welfare and have more babies to increase their General Assistant (GA) checks – would be an unfair assessment.

Here’s the rub – Black Women are, again, #1 at something they ought not be #1 at. Black Women are #1 as it relates to HIV/AIDS, #1 as it relates to the female prison population, #1 as it relates to abortion statistically and now #1 as it relates to producing “Baby Daddies.” But why?

Ok, I understand the women who are married, divorce and then remarry having children only by their husbands, but – as we see far too often on TV shows like MAURY – there are an overwhelming number of Black Women who are content with being professional baby mommas. We have continuous celebrations for women who are on their fourth or fifth child by their fourth or fifth baby daddy, yet to experience love that is mutual and exclusive between her and the father of the child.

Now of course, I would not ask such questions to bash or belittle Black women, but it is evident, we the Black community, must ask ourselves these questions in order for there to be any hope for change in the near future. However, it is as if our community has become complicit and silent over this discussion and this is probably why this study is so dangerous as it relates to the image concerning Black women in this Nation.

I use the term “dangerous” because if Black people do not engage in these conversations, in particular Black Women, we will see even a greater number of negative depictions of Black women as sex fiends and incubators of aimless, non-committed dead beat men disinterested in finding wives but ready and willing sperm sponsors.

White, Hispanic and Asian women all have the men in their respective ethnic groups looking out for their interest, providing them protection and ensuring their survival and financial stability. The looming question is, who is ensuring the same for the Black woman? Hmmm – We will continue this discussion in next month’s issue.

Dion Evans is the newest member of the Hinterland Gazette family. As his bio says, he is a "God-trained and fearless radio show personality with a gift of quick wit and logic." Dion is the CEO of Religazine Media Group and is the sponsor of hit radio broadcasts such as "Issues After Dark" and "Religazine: The Religious Magazine Show." RMG spans the globe with its tough-hitting broadcasts and continues to grow. Evans, a graduate of Biola University, is a sought-out lecturer and preaching pastor specializing in areas of relationships, marriage, sex and comedy. He is a native of Sana Ana, CA.