Jun 16, 2008 8:00 am US/Eastern
Obama Message To Dads: Act Like Men, Not Boys
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Illinois Senator Barack Obama speaks during a town hall meeting at Troy High School in Troy, Mich., on June 2 2008.
David Banks
Presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama spent his Father's Day in church on the South Side. Not at his former house of worship, but at the Apostolic Church of God. This was the first service his family has attended since they formally cut ties with Trinity United. WBBM-TV's Pamela Jones reports on Obama's charge to fathers and families.
A choir of at least 200 and a packed sanctuary greeted Presidential hopeful Barack Obama.
A man he called a great friend and counselor, Pastor Emeritus Bishop Arthur Brazier, set the tone, making it clear Sunday's focus would turn away from divisiveness of the past.
"The America of today is not the America of yesteryear. And I don't think it behooves us well to keep talking about the past," Brazier said.
Senator Obama followed, calling for healing in African-American families.
"There's a reason why our families are in disrepair," Obama said. "And some of it has to do with a tragic history, but we can't keep on using that as an excuse. Too many fathers are AWOL, missing from too many lives and too many homes. They've abandoned their responsibilities. They're acting like boys instead of men."
But he also told the crowd, he understands that hardships many families face. Obama reminded the congregation he grew up without a father and said he was lucky to have grandparents who helped his single mother. He got support, second chances and scholarships to obtain an education.
"I know the toll that being a single parent took on my mother," Obama said. "How she struggled, at times, to pay the bills. How she was embarrassed sometimes to go to the store with food stamps."
A message many members could relate to.
"My father is absent. But I'm really working hard, you know, to keep myself focused," said church member Kyle Richardson.
Obama's concern for hard working Americans is in line with the mission statement at the Apostolic Church of God. And the question on the minds of many members is whether the Obama family will make this their new church home.
"That's a great idea. I think this would be a wonderful place for him," said church member Marvin Lynn.
"To me, right now, he's not thinking about getting involved in another church because of the attention it's going to bring to him. I just don't think it's going to happen right away," said fellow church member Gwen Stuttley.
Obama frequently emphasized the importance of God in his life and closed his speech by asking the congregation to "Pray for me. Pray for Michelle."
Obama has said he would not pick a new church until January. His speech Sunday also outlined his plans for improved healthcare, including allowances for more maternity leave for working moms.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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