Monday, July 30, 2012

Black couples: destined for bad relationships

For the past thirty years or so, more and more black children have been raised in single parent households. Of course, one parent (with a stable mind) is more than capable of raising a child.  However, the lack of a parent, and normally the father, has made it difficult for black kids to find and maintain a solid relationship when they become adults.

Prior to the 1970s, there were far more two-parent households, allowing children to better understand the roles of mother and father.  If father was upset after a hard day of work, mother would explain why daddy's in a grumpy mood.  If mother was having an abnormally emotional day, father would sometimes make the effort to tend to mother's needs.  The child would see these encounters and comprehend the roles that men and women play within a relationship.

Within single parent households, a great deal of this communication is missed.  Gender roles are not visualized, and changes in adult behavior is not explained; therefore, when the child becomes an adult, it becomes difficult to comprehend exactly what is needed and what is expected from their partner.  Being happy within the relationship is all that is understood; and when the happiness seemingly disappears, the relationship eventually ends.

So what can be done about this?  How can black folks build or strengthen their relationships with their loved ones. Well, its' simple....find a way to communicate.  Rediscover the needs of your partner. Make the effort to know everything that there is to know.  Because basically, you were going into a relationship minus the necessary tools to be successful.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

He came out of the closet...but did anything change?

On Monday at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC, R&B singer/songwriter Frank Ocean performed to a much enthused audience.  It's been only a few weeks since he reported that he was gay, even reporting that the songs which he targeted towards women were actually written with a male acquaintance in mind.  With that being said, it seems necessary to report that a great number of women in the club's front row screamed hysterically at Ocean's performance, accompanied by a word on word sing-a-long.

His album, Channel Orange, debuted at the #2 Billboard spot last week, selling more than 131,000 copies digitally.  So is Frank Ocean losing his fan base, or is he simply strengthening it?  Some believe that he just may be gaining new ones.  Frankly, I'm glad that he came out of the closet.  I'm still sort of slow on adjusting to the much abundant gay culture; but I'd rather deal with someone who knows who he/she is, and is not ashamed to be just that.  Word of advice to all you 'undercover' gays, take heed and step out.  Things just may turn out to be better than you had expected...and the women that you've been trying to fool for years will be greatly appreciative as well.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Patience

I have a great deal of patience; however, not enough to wait on big time publishing companies.  Expect Twelve Lessons From Women to be out on Amazon in September 2012.  Until then, I advise everyone to pay attention to the many interesting stories that I will share with you over the next six weeks.  And sadly, I have plenty.