It is stated that to whom much is given, much is required.

We live in an age where due to the digital revolution, people can become overnight sensations. The young man or woman giving advice to his friends at gatherings or at churches can now become a social media influencer, and in many cases it is a very profitable position. Their legions of fans tune in weekly to see what type of wisdom they can receive, whether it’s hair care, wealth or relationship advice in order to apply it to their daily lives.

If left unchecked, however, the fame comes with a price.

Derrick Jaxn is a well known influencer within the Black community. He is often lauded for his advice on maintaining strong relationships, and often praises his wife in his videos, which tends to average over thousands of views. It has led to a successful book career and other avenues have opened as a result. Sadly, even he could not practiced what he preached as it was discovered that he has cheated on his wife of 12 years Da’Naia Jackson with multiple partners. He addressed this in a YouTube video yesterday.

The Black community has seen many a moral authority have moral failings. From Dr. King to Jamal Bryant, nothing new is under the sun. However, we have an obligation to hold those who espouse family values to a higher standard of accountability. While we should be ones to forgive, we must also not be foolish to fall under the guise that everything is well just because of a public statement that’s more about appeasing stakeholders than it is making things right.

It’s difficult being a Black man in a country that wasn’t made for us. We face challenges that others could never understand. That stated, it doesn’t excuse us from straddling the fence when we are counted upon as a voice in the community. Whether we are politicians, preachers, teachers or just some guy on social media, we must understand the position that we are in and that others are counting on us.

Only time will tell if there is going to be healing in their household, but the time has come for us as a people to say, “Enough!” Because there may not be a next opportunity to make it right, see the late Zachary Tims.

Black men, we can either be a great example or a horrible warning: let’s choose the former.

Let us learn a lesson from an old saying, “Praise is like perfume: okay to smell, deadly to swallow.” Maybe the next social media influencer or public speaker needs to learn that before they’re the next ones doing an apology video on YouTube.