Observing the Roles of African Men in Community Building and Developing Healthy

There is an overarching stereotype about the absence of African men in family and community development. Some claim that African "Black" males have failed to protect their communities while some say African leaders are the ones failing to protect their societies.  Is there some validity is this stereotype?

However, history portrays Africa as an organized society where males prided themselves in protecting their communities. This character trait dates as far back as pre-colonial days were men were more socio-politically visible than women and in some societies; even though they deferred some of the sociopolitical roles to women. In those societies, women were allowed to make decisions pertaining to women affairs, but in general, men played various roles as councilmen, elders, and as a matter of fact, as those responsible for guarding the living from the forces of evil.

How do character traits of today's men differ from those of our ancestors? What have we forgotten to remember? Is it good to remember and continue to observe the cultural legacy and behavioral commitments of the ancestors? Is it possible to combine the Afrocentric governance with those of our ancestors? From the look of things, corrupt governments, killings, etc., it appears black leaders have moved too far from the good traditional practices of their ancestors. If this is the case, then who protects black communities? Should those good traditional protective roles be abandoned? Will electoral processes work in black communities, particularly, in Africa? Where do we go from here?

. The program is co-directed and co-produced by African Views.

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