Read this letter Mr. Mfume sent in to the Baltimore Sun yesterday:
Don't label children born out of wedlock
In his May 1 column "Betting on substance", C. Fraser Smith makes a reference to me and my life of 35 years ago in which he says, "He's overcome a youthful past of life in the streets and six illegitimate children."
While Mr. Smith has the right to say what he may about me, he doesn't have the right, as I see it, to label any human being as "illegitimate." Whether we're speaking of my children or anyone's child, all life is legitimate because all life comes from God. Being born out of wedlock is not what I or anyone else would ever condone. However, when it does happen, perhaps it would be better for us to condemn the act rather than the child.
Many children born in such situations nonetheless still go on and make great contributions to the world that we are all a part of. Perhaps some of them are now adult colleagues of Mr. Smith's. Are they any less legitimate than he is?
Kweisi Mfume
Baltimore
Mr. Mfume seems to be employing what PR flacks refer to as "spin". When attention is called to the fact that he fathered six (!) children out of wedlock, he deflects said attention by feigning righteous indignation at the term "illegitimate". How dare you call my kids illegitimate! They're as good as anyone else! It's not their fault I didn't marry their mothers!
Umm, the real issue is that you were doinking in a rabbitlike fashion and not owning up to the responsibility you faced when you found out how babies are made. Silly wabbit; it's not about your kids - it's about you!
I've always rather liked Mr. Mfume, but I was disappointed when I read his letter. If he's going to be running for a seat in the Senate, he needs either a campaign advisor or a
better campaign advisor.