It seemed appropriate that Barack Obama would talk about absentee fathers on Father’s Day.  The message, the messenger, and the location were perfectly aligned for the presumptive Democratic nominee to take on arguably the greatest challenge within the African American community.

Acts 7:55-60

For all of the attention that 1968 has justifiably garnered this year let us also remember the acrimony and upheaval that existed in1963.   It was 45 years ago that the door officially closed on any notions that we lived in an Ozzie and Harriet society.  It was the first time we acknowledged that hope and hostility openly lived side by side. 

This has turned out to be quite the year for anniversaries and commemorations.  In addition to June 6 being the 40th anniversary of Bobby Kennedy’s death it also marked the 30th anniversary since the voters passed Proposition 13.