July 2008 Archives

Since 2005, The Flow (For Love Of The World) has presented a unique dialogue with topics such as "Why Men Fear Love & Committment"; "Sex, Religion & Spirituality"; " Are You Ready For a Relationship?"; etc. The FLOW was developed by Angelo Hunt, Roy Frank and Marc Collins to promote a constructive dialogue between men and women regarding relationships. Flow forums provide a venue where fundamental relationship issues are discussed that go beyond "baby momma drama" so prevalent in the media.

The Flow Advocates:

• The Prime Relationship is with yourself! Having a healthy, loving relationship with yourself is a key to successful relationships.
• We are complete within ourselves. Relationships should enhance who we are not complete us.
• Relationships are experiences that allow us to grow and redefine ourselves, if we choose.
• We are responsible for our choices and consequently our relationship outcomes.

From the dialogue initiated by three men, The FLOW has evolved into a process, an exploration, an interchange of ideas and feelings regarding relationship fundamentals, In the FLOW we seek to go beyond the assumptions, traditions, gender roles, and socially defined frames of reference that, in our opinion get in the way of meaningful relationships.

Terrance A. Layne is the newest addition to the FLOW dialogue. Terrance is the author of The (Black) Barbershop Monologues. This is a book on Black men by Black men. These are Black men, who form the bedrock of Black America, speak quietly yet forcefully about the Black male experience in America and how they survive it. There are no experts, icons or preaching. The beauty of these men's testimony is that they are not based on theory, but rather their experience on how they successfully live and manage their existence in a country that has made that experience challenging, to say the least.
Terrance will be joining The FLOW moderating the 2008 Harlem Book Fair panel discussions.

Does our sexuality define us, proscribe a frame of reference, a role, inform our character, or is it just part of the continuum of being human? Does religion, tradition, upbringing define our sexuality or does it just evolve? Can it be confined within the context of marriage, a committed relationship, or a physical act? Is sexuality sex?

We are sexual beings! Human Sexuality is the way we experience and express ourselves as sexual beings. Our awarness of our gender orienatation (male, female, bi/homo/trans sexual), as is our capacity for erotic experiences and responses are ways of sexual expression. Our sexuality is an essential part of ourselves whether or not we engage in any sexual activity, physical or fantasy.

How much of a woman's relationship choices are influenced by their fathers? How do father's impact daughter's definitions of womanhood, intimacy and self esteem. How many women are trying to make up for the absence, abuse or neglect of their fathers in their romantic relationships risking their own authenticity and relationship success? What fathers pass on to their daughters regarding male privilege, domination and control and how does this affect their interactions with men

Many Thanks to all who attended this standing room only event. The 45 minutes alloted allowed The FLOW and panelist to just skim the surface of such an important and neglected topic. So, let's continue the dialogue began during the panel discussion. The FLOW wants to hear from you!

Sins of the Father: Fathers Impact on Daughters Relationships