Memphis Man Upset With Black Women

by Jesse F. McClure

R. Michael Cunningham is upset with African American women. Cunningham, an
African American man, is a former college and professional basketball player, who says he does not have children; does not use drugs; attends church regularly; has a B.A. and M.A.; is a professional model and actor; is a motivational speaker; has never physically hurt a woman; is not gay; and is an active volunteer in his community. Despite these qualities, Cunningham says he cannot find an African American woman to marry. He is so upset with African American women that he has written and recently published a book, The Five F Principle in which he lays out his complaints against African American women.

Black Women Looking for a Fairytale

The book lashes out at African American women who are looking for a “fairytale” in the men they choose. Cunningham says too many women look for “Prince Charming” who is perfect in all respects. The”Prince” will wine and dine women but will often turn out to be a “player” who is involved in multiple relationships. The other fairytale character Cunningham says many African American women choose is the “frog” who they believe can become a prince. Too often, the book says “frogs” will always be “frogs” no matter how many times they are kissed.

Find Them, Feed Them, Fool Them…………………….

The title of the book The Five F Principle refers to an old saying often heard in men’s locker rooms referring to a man’s sexual prowess. Find the woman, Feed the woman, Fool the woman, Fornicate with the woman, and Forget the woman. The book goes on describe how so many African American women go through these steps in relationships and often end up with children and no husband. Cunningham says that his argument is supported by the fact that so few adult African American women are currently married.

In the book, Cunningham says that African American women need to change their approaches if they want lasting, long-term, and healthy relationships. Too many women fall for “con men” because they are looking for a deal too good to be true. Cunningham says that if someone or something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Women who try to rehabilitate men who have had trouble in their past often end up unfulfilled and frustrated.

Cunningham based his book on his own experiences and conversations with female friends and relatives. He says he finds that African American women are angry with African American men as well. Many of the women he talked too feel that men have often treated them badly. Cunningham says that men will treat women the way a woman allows herself to be treated. Women he believes need to protect themselves from exploitation.

Cunningham says there needs to be a more honest discussion between men and women regarding the nature of relationships. The African American community needs for the relationships between men and women to improve. Too many children he says are growing up in families without men. While he believes that, it possible for single parents to raise healthy and successful children the odds are against them.

Time to Stop Playing Games

Currently, Cunningham says African American men and women are playing a game in their relationships. He says that these relationships are much too important to be a game and there needs to be much more honesty between men and women. With more honest dialogue between men and women , Cunningham not only will he be able to find his soul mate but that many of the challenges in the African American family will be addressed.

The book, The Five F Principle, is available online at www.myspace.com/fivefprinciple

copyright 2008- Tri-State Defender