"Can I be the MAN?" - A letter from US to You, is exactly what the title implies. It is a letter written on behalf of African American men in an attempt to put an end to the feud between male and female, so the duality of relationships can be restored. It addresses some hard conversations that need to be discussed within African American culture and relationships. It allows men to be "naked and unashamed" in revealing their failures, but also identifying some of the deep seeded desires African American men have for women. From a much-needed apology from men, to getting a better understanding of the inner workings of the heart of men, to acknowledging that there are no good men, only men striving to be good, this work will touch the heart and mind of every woman that is currently in or desires to be in a harmonious relationship with an African American man.By the end of the book, it will stimulate a much-needed dialog between African American men and women to bring about peace within their relationships and ultimately restore the fabric of their homes. With the duality of African American relationships restored, their families will be restored, which in turn will repair their communities, and will allow the needed unity within African American culture to stand together in solidarity."This work started out a conversation with a few of my elders over a game of spades. From there it became a poem and now has blossomed into a full body of work. I have come to learn that I can express myself much better through writing than I can verbally. It was originally my desire to write the words that I have been struggling to be able to communicate in my own relationships. Over the course of time, I have some to realize that there are many men just like me that feel the same way, yet don't know how to communicate their emotions and thoughts. This work is for the men that look into our communities and see the need for men, but have watched and been unable to ask women the simplest of questions, Can I be the MAN? This work will be controversial in many ways but will ultimately have the desired effect of healing within our culture."
