Stop the press, we have a winner. WHY CAN'T YOU SEE ME? GOOD MEN DO EXIST! by Christopher J. Cokley and Aaron M. Blake is a must read guidebook to answering the ladies' ongoing question; where are the good men. The majority of the sisters think they understand men. However, the authors threw down on us sisters and believe me it was the best in your face literature I have ever enjoyed reading.
WHY CAN'T YOU SEE ME? GOOD MEN DO EXIST! is a self-help book that begins with the revolution of dating and the negativity we have about black males including but not limited to the dating outside your race centrum and the metamorphosis of the hip-hop generation. We have come a long way baby from the respectable male knocking on the door with flowers in hand to the assortment of thuggish type males who will blow the car horn yelling your name. Christopher J. Cokley and Aaron M. Blake very skillfully removed the myths that all men are alike and want only one thing from a relationship.
The book highlights that male and female interactions are to be reckoned with because present day attitudes dictate that we have gone beyond the reproach of establishing healthy romantic relationships. WHY CAN'T YOU SEE ME? GOOD MEN DO EXIST! outlines the areas that both male and female need to work on in order to establish a positive commitment with a good man and woman. The sexual revolution has made sex the number one priority between a man and a woman leaving behind education, job status, and financial stability. Therefore, good men have become invisible to the female because her new age definition of a relationship has changed over the years.
The authors' explanations are remarkable and detailed with in-depth research, which makes simple sense. Mr. Cokley and Mr. Blake have opened up doors of understanding about the black male's upbringing and becoming a man. Their priorities differ because of peer pressure and sometimes lack of male role models during the growth and development stages. Some women see them as mere males, fine, smooth talkers, GQ dressers, with money and perhaps a good job; fancy ride and skilled lovers. What I learned in WHY CAN'T YOU SEE ME? GOOD MEN DO EXIST! defines a different side of the black male that comes with mixed emotions and intelligence that reaps havoc with the myths of past and present.
I enjoyed this book because the authors didn't beat around the bush nor did they make excuses, they just presented the good man ideology in a nice package that you can either take or leave it. Mr. Cokley and Mr. Blake truly did their homework. They candidly describe the good man and how you can recognize him. It is a wonderful page-turner because for once there is hope for seeking a good man, but it is also telling us sisters that we have some serious work to do on ourselves as well. In addition, the poetry selections gave even more depth and soul searching for the reader.
If you're wondering why you can't find a good man, I suggest you run to the store and purchase WHY CAN'T YOU SEE ME? GOOD MEN DO EXIST! You're in for a rude awakening and great insight that reveals it's not just the brother, but it could be you.
Reviewed by Kalaani
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
