One only needs to take a look at the Black community at large to see the impact of Black fatherhood–or sadly, in too many cases, the lack thereof. 

Almost every ill that has plagued the Black community could be severely diminished–even eliminated altogether–by the consistent presence of strong and attentive Black fathers.

Which Black community crime issue do you want to discuss? Gangbanging? Drug dealing? Carjacking? Theft, robbery, and larceny? Prostitution? How many of those issues are reduced by a competent and active Black Dad in the lives of those children?

Which Black social issues would you like to discuss? Teenage pregnancy? Single motherhood? Behavioral problems in the classroom? Abusive and thieving churches and institutions? Each and every one of those issues is reduced when they know there is a strong Black Dad that they will answer to at the end of the day.

Often when I write, I speak on the ongoing tension and war between Black people and n*ggas. One of the best deterrents against the n*gga virus is the strong Black father. When he is present, all of the damages that the n*ggas bring can be reduced, including their influence over the children.

Fatherhood is more than giving money. It’s more than taking them places.

If Freud and the other shrinks are telling the truth, then a father sets the tone for how his children will see other men. For a boy, he learns how to act as a man and act toward a woman. For a girl, she learns what to expect in a man and how to be comfortable being a woman.

Therefore, your absence as a strong and good Black father will negatively impact how your son will see other men; as well as what your daughter will expect out of one. You want to be angry about single mothers? You have to point the fingers directly at the absentee fathers.

Talk to a strong Black woman, one who loves her ethnicity and culture, about the powerful influence of a strong Black father; and, to a woman, almost every one of them will tell you of their gratitude for them–and their desire to see more of them in our community. Black fathers–much like Black businesses, Black entrepreneurship, Black banking, Black homeownership, Black wealth, Black love, and Black education– are revolutionary. 

Their presence brings positive change to our people.

As a person who works in the medical industry, and as a semi-athletic person who is often at parks and recreation facilities, I see more young Black men than ever out with their children. It is good to see. I love seeing these young Black men with their children–not just for the athletic events, but for Girl Scouts and graduations and taking them to the doctor. That’s dope, and that’s needed.

One of the worst lies that the devil ever told the Black community–and that many of us believed– is that Black fathers are lesser, or not needed, or unnecessary. It is a lie from the deepest pit of Hell, and it should be rebuked and rejected.

And no, nobody has to “let” Black men return to being leaders or “let” Black men be strong fathers. All we have to do is do it, despite any obstacles.

The male alpha wolf protects the pack. Without his presence, the energy of the entire pack shifts, and cubs grow up without his guidance. It changes the way the pack and the cubs fend for themselves and each other. They no longer act like the wolves that came before them.

Shift it back, gentlemen. Be the Black fathers that your family and our community need you to be. Be the men that make your sons say, “I wanted to be the man he is.” Be the men that make your daughters say, “I wanted a man like him.” Be the men who make us all proud to tell you, “Happy Father’s Day.”

Black Fathers, our importance cannot be overstated, every day but especially today.