Relationship dysfunction is a shared trait throughout the global West African cultural diaspora.
I don't agree. Based on 3 main things:
1 - I've traveled and interacted with members from different ethnic groups within the West African cultural diaspora and from my observations, within the West African diaspora most are still traditional men and women. Problem is, they usually are not promoted in mainstream western media and many of us have developed a comfort mindset within the western media. The propaganda happens every second, and even many of us already know, still see no reason to abandon it because "Well, I can easily separate propaganda and reality"
2 - And same media has made us believe that black individuals represent a racial collective while white individuals represent solely themselves as individuals and nothing more. Because let's be honest, western media thrives on fukkery. "Poop the Balloon" is less dysfunctional than shows like Love Island, Big Brother, 90 Day Fiance...How come we never pathologize non-blacks the same way we pathologize black people?
PS: And the moment you point this out you will also have those saying "I don't care about other groups, only mine" even though these same people don't engage in the convo by using successful black couples as barometer to improve black relationships. They use non-blacks as barometer but are too coward to admit it.
3 - I've watched some episodes of PTB and can say that most episodes have nothing but people who are respectful to each other. Thing is, due to media programming, we judge black people not on the behavior of the majority but on the behavior of the minority. To the point that many of us feel that we don't even need to know, watch or listen to the content, and that we are still capable of having a clear idea about it. As far as black people, It has been normalized the idea that we can make assumptions on what we don't know because that's the correct way to judge the interactions between black people.
Also, I wonder how many relationship issues would be solved among black people in the new world if polygamy was simply accepted as a completely normal way to live. If I had money, I would seriously finance a complex study just to see the percentage decrease/increase of passionate crimes, domestic violence, pointless relationship discussions etc. My bet is that the percentage would decrease...
PS: I am not saying that I would expect most black people to engage in polygamy. I am just saying that are clearly some black people that were built for it but are socially suppressed and this might aid in some issues we see constantly.