Posted July 10, 2010

Peace and greetings:

My new book “Forgive: the new mantra and practice for Black Men,” was born out of my desire to stimulate conversations about increasing our connection to an ultimate universal power source. I wanted to show that if we are connected to that power then we must be One with that power. I wanted to challenge our constricted behavior born of constricted thoughts and a pathetic loss of imagination.

I expected that people I know and some that I don’t know would want to keep the conversation of Black life “practical” and criticize my push for “cosmic” awakening as lofty “pie in the sky.” To be sure there are critics of my cosmic approach.  And there are supports of that approach as well. I call the supporters Alpha Black.

Alpha Black.

This is the term I use to describe those truly rare Black Men who radically and relentlessly pursue personal power for universal advancement and cosmic awakening.  These Black Men are beacons of light. These Black Men are not bound or bogged down by the common discussions of the day. These Black Men recognize the global deceptions at play and consistently seek connection to the higher powers and principles that are concealed behind human mediocrity and sheer fucking laziness.

Men I call Alpha Black embrace focused faith, fitness, forgiving and real food. Alpha Black are leaders who know their ancestors are alive and well and watching. Alpha Black are vigilant, passionate and humble. Alpha Black know there is a timeless and vast universe through which we will never cease to travel . Alpha Black knows they are part of an unlimited power source. Alpha Black knows and behaves accordingly.

Alpha Black is not some secret group. It is not a closed membership or a fleeting fad for a day. The Alpha Black have always been among us. The Alpha Black lives inside each one of us. Alpha Black is our legacy. Alpha Black is a way of life. Embrace Alpha Black. Now and Forever.

Get Forgive: the new mantra and practice for Black Men and The Alpha Black T-shirt at http://ulyssesbutchslaughter.com/black-men.

“Better Black Men Build Better Black Communities.”

Forgive: The New Mantra and Practice for Black Men is the new book from author Ulysses “Butch” Slaughter. Within the binding of 128 pages, the author reflects on both well-known and lesser-known Black Men who directly and indirectly influenced his decision
to forgive his father for killing his mother. Stevie Wonder, Martin Luther King, Jr, Gil Scott-Heron, Booker T. Washington and Philadelphia’s own Dr. Edward Robinson, Jr are among the many Black Men featured.

Eric K. Grimes, Philadelphia radio host and Black male advocate, wrote the foreword to the book. Grimes offers: “This book is Ulysses at his best, sharing jewels that any Black man, his family, his community and those who love him will find invaluable in completing his hero’s journey into Exemplary Black Manhood!”

More than a collection of essays and reflections about Black Men, Forgive includes a variety of self-development exercises related to food, fitness and focused faith. A considerable departure from his earlier works that justified “hate,” Slaughter says this new book
represents his anger extinguished by the rain of relentless cosmic truth.

“Forgive represents my internal reconciliation,” said Slaughter. “It represents restoration through remembering who I am. It is the voice of the man I always wanted to be.”  At age 12, Slaughter listened as his mother, Clarice, was murdered by his father, Ulysses
Sr. The Illinois State chief witness against his father, Slaughter harbored thoughts of revenge against his father for decades. His previous two books “Why Our Children Hate Us” and “Dear Daddy, I Hate You,” were pillars of a personal brand that declared some things are “unforgiveable.” In addition to the two books, Slaughter produced “To Hate,” an intense video sketch that chronicles his memories of domestic violence and the death of his mother.  “I was soaked with hate,” said Slaughter. “But not to my core.”

At his core, said Slaughter, is a simply profound challenge from his mother to “be a better man.” Her response to her son who asked permission to fight his father, Clarice wanted more and better.  “I hear her words every day,” said Slaughter who has appeared on The Dr. Phil Show and The Oprah Winfrey Network. “Those words are an enduring affirmation, my mantra.”  Supporting his mother’s righteous request is a collection of Black Men whose words and deeds have illuminated the power of forgiving in more ways than one.

“I’ve received the message of forgiving through songs, lectures, books and even sports.  Forgiving is more than a moral imperative for Black Men,” said Slaughter. “The refusal to forgive brings on conditions that are more insidious than obvious.”  Those conditions, said Slaughter, range from compromised physical and mental health to strained relationships and underachievement. Various exercises within Forgive calls on the reader to mend relationships, eat healthy food, exercise and consistently engage in
honest self-examination.

“Forgiving is a lifestyle,” said Slaughter. “Everything we think and do influences our well-being.”  While he hopes his book will indeed stimulate broad social dialogue, he is adamant that this book is a challenge for individual Black Men first and foremost.
“Collective advancement is most effective when all individuals are healthy contributors.

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