In 1993, activist Ayo Handy Kendi incorporated National Black Love Day on February 13th to celebrate Black love from history, heritage, and culture. As we celebrated Black Love Day on the 13th of February, we look onwards to how Black love represents a way of life in every area of our lives, especially with looming fears over a recession, global public health crisis, natural disasters, and political instability. A quick glance at the world today, and it’s hard to ignore that everyone is fighting something, and we could all do with a bit of love.
Recently, while speaking with a white colleague over lunch, as we conversed over the state of the world, pressures of our work, and changing influence that the current generation faces, I started to share with her a little about the culture I grew up in and how the old age saying of “It takes a village to raise a child” rings so true to me even as an adult. I come as one, but I stand as 1000, as Maya Angelou succinctly put it. In that, the person I am today is a token of all the expressions of love that are unique to my Black experience and culture.
“In that, the person I am today is a token of all the expressions of love that are unique to my Black experience and culture.”
While I am blessed to love and be loved by a Black man who represents the concept of Black love, the concept has come to represent a way of life rather than just the healthy romance I share with my partner. It draws on cooking sessions with my grandma, who taught me the delicacy and cuisine of my Ghanaian heritage that I am able to pass on every time I make a meal. It runs deep into my memories and scalp, reminding me of the times I would sit on the floor while my single-parent mother would grease my scalp, blow-drying my washed hair and parting it to create beautiful twisted braids on weekends.
The brightly colored kente fabric clothes that I once dreaded wearing because I knew no better. I did not want to stand out and have people staring at my brightly colored outfits at parties, which felt like it stood out even more with my dark chocolate complexion. The love, life, and confidence that these outfits now fill me with.
Black love consists of forms of love and connection that Black people have with themselves, their families, friends, and community. It is about uplifting and supporting each other, sharing knowledge, and working together towards a common goal. It is about creating a safe and nurturing space for ourselves and our loved ones in a world that is often hostile towards us.
Love has always been a powerful act of protest and resistance, a courageous effort to care, nurture, and sustain connections often found in the unapologetic expressions that many black people have, while upholding the values and culture that come with it. With a history of so much resistance and strife , reclaiming and cherishing the very things we were taught to be despised making them part of everyday life invokes acceptance, joy, and celebration. What could be a more pure form of love than that? Black love being a way love is the purest form of revolution that enables us to live freely.
Black love is a powerful force that transcends beyond just romantic relationships. It is a way of life that embodies the values, traditions, and culture of Black people. It is a reminder of our strength, resilience, and ability to thrive in the face of adversity. As we celebrate Black Love Day and beyond, let us continue to cherish and uplift Black love in all its forms.
In the face of adversity, Black love is a beacon of hope that has sustained our community for generations. It is a reminder of our resilience, strength, and ability to overcome any obstacle that comes our way. As we navigate through these challenging times, it is important to allow Black love to remain a way of life every day.
Before you go, check out our favorite mental health apps for loving up on your mental health:
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