Black fathers matter. There is no debate about that. For too long, the absent father myth has been used as a convenient scapegoat. But even today—when fathers are present and engaged—our community is still bleeding. Why? Because strong families cannot fix the issues that only economics can. The absent father myth keeps White America comfortable. It lets the nation ignore its crimes while convincing us to blame ourselves.

There’s something nostalgic about hearing our parents and grandparents reminisce about the “good old days.” They talk about tight-knit...