The Denzel Principle, also called "The Dizzle," according to journalist and author Jimi Izrael, is the belief that the perfect man, who is the epitome of all things women think Denzel Washington represents, exists off screen and not only can you get one for your very own, you also need not settle for less. The regular good man need not apply.

Qualities of The Dizzle, aka Mr. Perfect: He's rich but earthy, handsome but not pretty, doting but not docile, polite but not deferential, tough but vulnerable, political but not radical, passionate but not hysterical, ambitious but not overbearing, evil but not beyond redemption, well-read but not nerdy, street-wise but not thuggish-ruggish, thug certified but not criminal minded, accessible but not transparent, mannish but not macho, gentle but not feminine, black but not militant, conscious but not pedantic, intuitive but not overly philosophical, sexy but not solicitous, flirtatious but particular—and all these things on cue and in proper measure.

"Sisters decry the shortage of good men and say there is no way she is settling for less than a good black man. Not just a good one, but the BEST one: The Dizzle. She, of course, has no idea what that means, what she wants, or what a good black man truly looks like."

The Denzel Principle gives straight-talking advice to women on how to break this cycle, including "Ways Women Can Break the Hold of the Dizzle," "Ways to Attract Mr. Right,” and "Ten Reasons to Love Ordinary Black Men."

The Denzel Principle is funny, in your face, and irreverent and is guaranteed to strike a chord—and most likely a nerve—with black women everywhere.

Jimi Izrael is an award-winning reporter and culture-critic from Shaker Heights, Ohio, who currently moderates “The Barbershop” for National Public Radio's Tell Me More with Michel Martin and blogs "The Hardline" for the Washington Post's The Root.com. He earned a B.A. in communications from Cleveland State University and an M.F.A. degree from Spalding University.