"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."
Naib, King: - Born and raised in Portsmouth Virginia, Jerone was the only boy of four sisters. The love of the pen and pencil has been a part of his life since the elementary days. It started in the form of drawings, then the struggles of life evolved it into words. Jerone was in 9th grade when his first poem was published in the school newspaper, with another 5 poems being published before the year was completed. In 2004, American Poets Society published his poem "Your Presence" in "A Celebration of Poetry" and that same year The International Library of Poetry awarded the same poem the Editor's Choice award. Poetry has always been a method of communication. This took on a new form when Jerone started writing plays for church functions and services. He used his pen to force people to question the elephants in the room and give a voice to those that were not easily heard. Performing in these productions opened him up to something completely new... spoken word. Given the stage name "SPEAKER," Jerone went on to perfect the art by reciting his poetry at the Arifjan Poetry Club in Kuwait. He became known for reciting poetry that will enrich the soul, force you to face fears, and build your spirit. While in Kuwait Jerone entered his first Poetry Slam walking away with 3rd place and was offered to come to Liberia to recite his poetry. This led to an awakening taking place a few years later while in Iraq. "He Will SPEAK" was completed while in Camp Taji, Iraq and was published in 2012 by Mortified Books. "He Will SPEAK" was the introduction into this awakening with it being a collection of poetry written over the span of 20 years, providing readers a sneak peak into the life and thoughts of Jerone. Now married with 10 children, the importance of the relationship between melanated men and women became a top priority for Jerone. It is his belief that in order to repair our communities, we have to first repair our families and in order to repair our families we must mend the relationship between men and women. So what started out as a letter to his wife, Tabitha, became a book for all women to understand and feel the heart of all men.
