There has been quite a bit of chatter on Twitter about Steve Harvey and his new book "Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man"...
especially in light of his recent appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
I fell into a Twitter conversation with fellow blogger Butta of Soulbounce.com when she posted "What makes Steve Harvey a relationship expert, a penis O_0(<---that's a side eye, just in case you didn't know)?" Then I saw that [Fung'ke blak chik] wrote this post on her blog, "Since When Is Steve Harvey A Relationship Artist?".
Why they dissin' my Uncle Steve like that?? Awww, man! *sad face*
Anyway, my response to her (and Fung'ke blak chik) is that while I can't speak for anybody else, I certainly can appreciate the "old school" type of wisdom he disperses. It reminds me of a lot of things my father has told me over the years in regards to dealing with men. A lot of women who are subscribing to Uncle Steve's relationship advice are women who have never had a man tell them anything positive in a way that shows they are cared for and and valued. I have had my Dad tell me everything my whole life, but how many woman can say that?
And another factor I think that should be considered is age. So many younger women have missed out on the sense of community that women around my age experienced. When Dads were missing, uncles, big cousins, godfathers and even neighbors stepped in and filled in the gaps. Not as many 20 or 25 year-old women can recount experiences like this. So many young girls have been left up to their own devices, with disastrous results.
And no, Mr. Harvey is NOT a licensed therapist. He is not a psychologist, sociologist or anything like that. (Hell, neither am I and I write this blog answering all sorts of life questions for all sorts of people). But what Steve Harvey is, is a man who has lived. He has been places, seen and done things, encountered people from all walks of life. He has what I consider to be absolutely invaluable when giving advice to anybody:
Real Life Experience.
That's not to say I discount academia. Not at all...shoot, I'm an education major and the daughter of a teacher. But honestly, I think the worst thing to happen to SOME PEOPLE is a lil' bit of book learning. The last person I'd want to take relationship advice is some spinster therapist with 3 degrees and nary a successful a relationship, past or present, to speak of. Now, take that however it suits you.
I say all this to say that Steve Harvey is helping somebody...a lot of somebodies. Just because what he has to say and how he chooses to say it OR because his pedigree doesn't quite agree with your delicate sensibilities doesn't mean he and his theories hold no validity. If it isn't for you due to conflicting ideologies or whatever, then so be it. But I'd say as long as people are growing and healing old hurts thanks to Mr. Harvey's musings, then it can't be all bad.
Do you have a question or query that you'd like to see answered here on "Hey, You Asked"? Send it to askthepbg@gmail.com. I can tell you right now I will answer your question with as much unlicensed sagacity as Steve Harvey sans the bald head, country accent and the jam-packed email box. ~pbg
