An Historical Perspective!

In order to solve a problem you have to begin at the beginning. In this case the beginning is in the roots. In the Japanese Bonsai art form, where trees that normally grow up to dozens of feet high are cultured to grow in micro-form, a majestic juniper is 'tailored to grow only large enough to sit in a dish on a tabletop. This is accomplished by trimming, not the branches, but the roots. Very interesting concept, stunning results. So in this blog, which I hope to moderate more than indoctrinate, let's start with the root of our problems.

If you assume that there is something terribly wrong in a society when 70% of eligible African American women are single and searching for mates and that quite a healthy percentage of African American women in relationships are dis-satisfied then the very first question to pose to a general audience is...

Why Is This?

If you assume that because so many African American women looking for mates are not finding them in black males entirely because of black males, the question we have to pose to a more specific audience-black males-is:

Why Are African American Men Reluctant To Commit To Marriages Or Other Long-term Relationships?

If you assume that this problem exists entirely because of African American women, the question for this specific audience is:

What are African American Men Saying is/are the problem[s]? [The question by no means presumes that this premise is even remotely accurate but it offers a place to begin.]

Finally, if African American women believe it is the men who are the problem:

What are the predominant experiences African American women are having in their relationships with African American men?

So in an effort to begin this dialog as a fair and honest effort to address this very important issue let's begin with the last question first. This will give voice to African American women about their experiences with African American men which we must-to be true to the dialog-view frankly and with as little emotion as possible. The purpose here is to get the facts. Just the facts. Please be fair and include the good, bad and the ugly in your comments. This is important if we are to get a clear picture of the facts. O.K. Comments on:

What are the predominant experiences African American women are having in their relationships with African American men? Tell us about your relationship or your most recent relationship.