Nationally Renowned Fathers’ Rights Advocate Jeffery M. Leving
Weighs in on Reverend Jesse Jackson’s Recent Remarks

Chicago, IL – (July 10, 2008) - Attorney and nationally renowned fathers’ rights advocate Jeffery M. Leving weighs in on the comments made by the Reverend Jesse Jackson concerning Senator Barack Obama’s Father’s Day speech at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago, Illinois. "We must be careful not to ignore the cornerstone of the obstacles plaguing African-American fathers and their children. I believe that the Reverend and Senator Obama are fighting the same fight- the betterment of life for all African-American fathers and children, and families all over the country. Senator Obama is addressing the internal struggles of the African-American family and the Reverend is likely addressing the emotional pains he and the African-American family have suffered from external prejudices and societal injustices,” stated Leving. “No one can question the Reverend’s commitment to the African-American family and community as evident through his tireless activism.”

In his speech Senator Obama spoke of the impact that missing fathers have on their children’s lives. The Senator quoted well founded statistics on how children raised in single-family homes, without the presence of a father, are more likely to wind up in poverty, unemployed, in prison, promiscuous and drop-outs. Reverend Jackson has apologized for his remarks that were made when he thought his microphone had been turned off. The Reverend had commented that he thought the Senator was "talking down" to the black community in his Father’s Day speech. There is no real conflict between the two long time friends and allies; there is only a difference of philosophies. Both the Senator and the Reverend are dedicated to fighting and eradicating the injustices that the African-American community face.  Senator Obama feels that by making the staggering statistics concerning father absence public, the community at large and our nation can begin to take steps to correct the situation.  Reverend Jackson on the other hand may feel that the statistics will only add to the ammunition of those who contribute to the practice of racial discrimination, but the statistics are true and the result of long term bias.

"…and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat down upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock (Matthew 7: 24-25). The Senator referenced this quote in his speech, and I believe the message here is that the father and the family are the rock on which every child

rests their moral feet upon. It is that rock that lifts the child up above adversity and enables him to grow into a successful adult uplifting future generations," Leving commented. "If the rock is not there, if the child has no solid footing with which to anchor himself too, then he falls into the rough waters of the underbelly of society and is carried away with the undercurrent of drugs, guns and violence. There are many examples of children born into wealth and privilege and all the opportunities that this country can afford, and yet they too stumble because of one common denominator-the absence of a father. We can no longer afford to play the blame game, but we need to correct this problem. We cannot ignore that many fathers do not choose to be absent; they are barred from the lives of their children by an unbalanced legal system. When we begin to put fathers back into the lives of their children, we will see the reversal of the dismal statistics they now face. They will be able to face the issues that Rev. Jackson and Senator Barack Obama both raise, because they will have a life raft of hope, their father," he concluded.

Jeffery M. Leving has advocated for many years on behalf of fathers’ rights and responsibilities and the impact absent fathers have on the lives of America’s children and society as a whole. He is the author of "Fathers’ Rights", the founder of dadsrights.com, the Governor appointed Chairman of the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood and the President Emeritus of Fatherhood Educational Institute. Mr. Leving recently interviewed Senator Obama and Rev. Jackson’s son, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. on his radio show "The Jeffery Leving Fathers’ Rights Legal Show", on Soul 106.3 FM in Hammond, Indiana, where both men spoke about fatherhood responsibility.  We also encourage you to visit the following websites for free resources on fatherhood education; www.fatherhood-edu.org and www.responsiblefatherhood.com.

About Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd.
Established in 1981, we are leading family law attorneys who can guide you through your child custody, paternity and divorce proceedings with you being our priority.  Leadership for our law firm comes from renowned fathers’ rights attorney, Jeffery M. Leving.  He is the governor appointed chairman of the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood and President Emeritus of the Fatherhood Educational Institute.  Our knowledgeable attorneys are dedicated to focusing on what is best for the children – a relationship with both parents.

For more information, visit www.DadsRights.com or call 312-356-DADS

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