Dear Readers: We'd like to wish all the fathers and father figures in our reading audience a happy and wonderful Father's Day. This message recently came to our mailbox and we thought it deserved some column space. We hope you do, too:

Dear Annie: As a 67-year-old African-American male, I have a special Father's Day message. For over two decades, I have worked directly with young African-Americans. I have been a student and teacher of African-American history for more than 40 years and have conducted countless workshops and classes on self-esteem, historical perspective, cultural awareness, personal responsibility, youth empowerment, academic improvement, career development, effective parenting and family stability.

During this time, I have seen — and still see — too many young African-Americans who have given up hope. They simply don't believe in themselves. They don't think they are worthy or deserving of "the good life."

By now, we know all too well the negative statistics and debilitating realities relating to unemployment, prison populations, female-headed households, high school and college graduation rates, entrepreneurial opportunities, AIDS infection rates, health care and mental health concerns and teenage pregnancy. In most socioeconomic factors, African-Americans are lagging behind. The story is punctuated with alienation, frustration, anger and hopelessness. Somehow, this hemorrhaging must stop.

For things to get better, black fathers and other adult males have to do more as parents, providers, protectors and promisers. Regardless of how our condition came about, WE are our solutions and salvation. I propose a basic and simplistic plan for empowering our children, families and communities:

1. We need a strong and supportive family base, beginning with a married mother and father. While this may not always be possible, it should be seriously sought. Not only is it necessary and proper, to do otherwise is debilitating and destructive.

2. We need a solid educational foundation. In the 21st century, it is almost impossible to make it otherwise. A good education is like life insurance — it is much better to have it than not.

3. We need a viable means of economy and support. We cannot expect others to do those things we should do for ourselves. There is no such thing as a free lunch. We must learn to work harder and smarter, and for ourselves.

We can do this, for we are a strong, resilient and resourceful people. And, more importantly, our children, families and communities deserve no less. We must overcome these human conditions of academic inadequacy, family instability, economic poverty, social deprivation and political inequity.

Simply put, the time has come for African-American men, especially fathers, to accept collective responsibility for making things happen and for bringing about positive changes. We are capable. All we need to do is rededicate ourselves to our cause. Let us truly make Father's Day 2008 something extra special. It could be a new beginning.

The challenges that lie before us are about will and commitment. Do we, as African-American men and fathers, care enough about our children, families and communities? Much of the solution to our dilemma is within our grasp and this is as it should be. We must rise to the occasion. To begin this journey on Father's Day 2008 — what a powerful statement and empowering act that would be! — John Lewis Horton

Dear John Lewis Horton: There are many young African-American men who are responsible and involved fathers, but some men, black and white, have not yet learned the value of this most important obligation. Studies show that fathers have a tremendous impact on the educational and emotional development of their children. Your words speak not only to African-American males, but to all men. Thank you.

Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611. To find out more about Annie's Mailbox, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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