Obama: I'll keep stressing responsibility

CINCINNATI, July 14 (UPI) -- Likely Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Barack Obama says he will keep promoting personal responsibility despite criticism he has been "too tough on folks."

Speaking Monday in Cincinnati at the NAACP's 99th annual convention, Obama said he stands by his contention that personal responsibility is essential to solving problems in black communities, The Baltimore Sun reported.

"That starts with providing the guidance our children need, turning off the TV and putting away the video games; attending those parent-teacher conferences, helping our children with their homework and setting a good example," he said.

Obama came in for criticism last week from the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, who said the Illinois senator was "talking down to black people." Some black leaders have said Obama puts too much emphasis on personal responsibility among black men, the newspaper said.

"But I'm not going to stop talking about it," Obama said Monday. "Because I believe that in the end, it doesn't matter how much money we invest in our communities, or how many 10-point plans we propose, or how many government programs we launch -- none of it will make any difference if we don't seize more responsibility in our own lives."