I have been actively trying to catch up on reading some excellent books about fatherhood and parenting, and I just finished reading a very provocative book by comedian and fatherhood advocate Bill Cosby called Come on People. It is a couple of years old (I told you I was trying to catch up) and I really wish I had gotten to it sooner. What an amazing book! Like many others who are passionate about fatherhood, I have lamented what I see happening to families and fathers in many parts of urban America, especially with young black fathers. Too few male role models, too many absentee fathers, too many families headed by single mothers, too much violence and too little commitment to fatherhood. And while I knew full well what an effective advocate Bill Cosby has been, I learned by reading Come on People that he also has a pretty effective prescription for the ills of modern black America.
I have written a review of the book and gave it five stars, which is pretty rare for me. I loved the "no excuses" approach and his call to return to fundamental values of personal responsibility and commitment. If you have any interest in responsible fatherhood programs or wonder what can be done against such overwhelming odds, then Come on People is a must read for you.