ABSTRACT

We find Ellison’s invisible man in the “fragile families” forged by unwed parents and their children. These men are a challenge to our community. Their actions are exaggerated, dismissed, or considered unimportant. Black men in general, but especially those in fragile families, continue to be stereotyped as unresponsive to the needs of their children and community. Regardless of their effort, they are portrayed as either unwilling or unable to provide for their families, and often ostracized when judged deficient.