We, as African-Americans, know all too well the struggles our families have faced throughout many generations.  From the initial separation of our families during the slave trade to today's extremely high divorce rates, the list of reasons why African-American families are in its current state seem insurmountable.

However, I am a strong believer in the idea that you have to start SOMEWHERE...and, in my opinion, that somewhere is with the presence (or lack thereof) of the African-American father figure in the household. 

The statements you hear in the clip above reflect the attitudes and mindsets of many African-Americans, young and old...that the presence of the African-American male in the African-American family has no value. This ideology leaves one burning question in my mind: "HOW DID WE LET THINGS GET THIS BAD???"

In other cultures, the male is the centerpiece of the family...the unquestioned leader.  The father is respected by his wife and children, and the way he leads his household and provides for his family shape the way his children lead their households, setting a pattern for future generations to follow. 

Whenever the father was absent, uncles or other men in the community would serve as role models, grooming young boys to become men, and giving young girls a shining example of the type of man they should want to marry and be led by.

No matter what culture or ethnic group you study, while the role of the female may vary in its importance, the unwavering figure in family governance is the male.

Why can this not be said about today's African-American culture? There are many different things we can point to, but, realistically, we are past the finger-pointing stage.

Being real with ourselves and taking meaningful action has been LONG overdue for African-American people. We must realize that before we talk about America's discriminatory practices or what the Obama administration can do for us, we have to get our own house in order, starting with addressing the role of the African-American male.