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I believe in defending cultural pride and holding to cultural traditions with fist raised high.
And I’ll admit that I’m a bit partial to the opinion: “The blacker the berry the sweeter the juice,”
not just because I’m married to a dark chocolate brother, but because I like dark berries.
But there is one concept that floats around black culture that I just refuse to buy into, and
actually feel it’s downright wrong and divisive language. It’s thrown around from the beauty
shop gossips to the boardrooms of the famed black magazines…this thing called “Black
Love.”
And I’ll admit that I’m a bit partial to the opinion: “The blacker the berry the sweeter the juice,”
not just because I’m married to a dark chocolate brother, but because I like dark berries.
But there is one concept that floats around black culture that I just refuse to buy into, and
actually feel it’s downright wrong and divisive language. It’s thrown around from the beauty
shop gossips to the boardrooms of the famed black magazines…this thing called “Black
Love.”
Black Love?
by Miriam-Adams Washington
by Miriam-Adams Washington
I would like someone to explain this concept to me in a way that remotely makes sense; I truly do not
comprehend the meaning behind this phrase. When I do get an explanation, it’s defended most
vehemently with eloquence that’s befitting a book of poetry. I usually hear things like: Black people love
harder and stronger; black love is that of passionate love; or even that, there’s a unique bond between
black people like no other.
Wait...a…minute! Those definitions are vague at best and could apply to any ethnic group, which they
rightly should.
Not only is this “Black Love” term divisive, it’s racist. What if we started seeing in the white owned
magazines or the news media a term called “White Love”? Oh my goodness, Don Imus all over again!
Not to mention Jesse Jackson on the hotline and Al Sharpen making his media rounds. Come on
people, I mean really, we need to be mindful of what we’re saying and believing.
comprehend the meaning behind this phrase. When I do get an explanation, it’s defended most
vehemently with eloquence that’s befitting a book of poetry. I usually hear things like: Black people love
harder and stronger; black love is that of passionate love; or even that, there’s a unique bond between
black people like no other.
Wait...a…minute! Those definitions are vague at best and could apply to any ethnic group, which they
rightly should.
Not only is this “Black Love” term divisive, it’s racist. What if we started seeing in the white owned
magazines or the news media a term called “White Love”? Oh my goodness, Don Imus all over again!
Not to mention Jesse Jackson on the hotline and Al Sharpen making his media rounds. Come on
people, I mean really, we need to be mindful of what we’re saying and believing.
|
TM & © 2008 Empowering Everyday Women Online Magazine All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy
EEW Magazine is a division of Hobbs Ministries, a Subsidiary of Training for Reigning Inc.
EEW Magazine is a division of Hobbs Ministries, a Subsidiary of Training for Reigning Inc.
We also have a responsibility within our ethnic cultures to challenge ourselves to
grow, to question some of those stale beliefs and stereotypes that have been around
for so long that we have just blindly accepted. As a writer, I feel it’s my duty to
challenge certain ideas. I cannot allow myself to be boxed in and known as the black
author who writes about “black love” or “black relationships” only. I will not allow that
and none of us should, regardless of our professions.
Don’t get me wrong. We should take pride in our heritage, in the things that clearly
define who we are as an ethnic culture. There will always be a need to represent
ourselves boldly as long as we are within a minority group, but it must be done with
integrity and fairness. There was a time in history where we had to shout “I’m Black
and I’m Proud…Black is Beautiful…Fight the Power.”
grow, to question some of those stale beliefs and stereotypes that have been around
for so long that we have just blindly accepted. As a writer, I feel it’s my duty to
challenge certain ideas. I cannot allow myself to be boxed in and known as the black
author who writes about “black love” or “black relationships” only. I will not allow that
and none of us should, regardless of our professions.
Don’t get me wrong. We should take pride in our heritage, in the things that clearly
define who we are as an ethnic culture. There will always be a need to represent
ourselves boldly as long as we are within a minority group, but it must be done with
integrity and fairness. There was a time in history where we had to shout “I’m Black
and I’m Proud…Black is Beautiful…Fight the Power.”
We had to create the concept of “Black Love” and explain to the world because we were so under-represented. But now, it is a
new day; the world knows that American black culture is here to stay. We don’t have to continue to prove ourselves. We are
more sure-footed about who we are.
Now we need to step into the collaboration phase— a phase of confidence and knowing, where we embrace others, as well
as their distinct cultures. We must come into a realm of maturity where we don’t have to explain ourselves every time we step
into a room. Our color need not be an issue to us even it’s an issue to others.
When God spoke of Himself, He didn't give a lengthy discourse. He simply said, “I Am That I Am” (Genesis 3:14 KJV). When
you know who you are, you just are. You possess a balanced love of self, a genuine love for others. You value yourself.
Love is meant to be shared, just as God is meant to be shared. Love shouldn’t be compartmentalized or used as a defense
mechanism. We can’t put a title on love, a physical attribute on love, or a color on love. When we do this, we stunt our growth
and our creativity; we stagnate.
When we try to define love based upon insecurities, biases, and sometimes hate—we end up perverting the purest gift God
has given us.
As the saying goes… now that we know better, we can do better. We are equipped to go into the world and share our love
freely, unconditionally, and without apologies. This is done with an understanding that, because I love myself and my love
glorifies God, it doesn’t have to be exclusive to my own ethnic group or just to those who love me back.
I can love just because.
new day; the world knows that American black culture is here to stay. We don’t have to continue to prove ourselves. We are
more sure-footed about who we are.
Now we need to step into the collaboration phase— a phase of confidence and knowing, where we embrace others, as well
as their distinct cultures. We must come into a realm of maturity where we don’t have to explain ourselves every time we step
into a room. Our color need not be an issue to us even it’s an issue to others.
When God spoke of Himself, He didn't give a lengthy discourse. He simply said, “I Am That I Am” (Genesis 3:14 KJV). When
you know who you are, you just are. You possess a balanced love of self, a genuine love for others. You value yourself.
Love is meant to be shared, just as God is meant to be shared. Love shouldn’t be compartmentalized or used as a defense
mechanism. We can’t put a title on love, a physical attribute on love, or a color on love. When we do this, we stunt our growth
and our creativity; we stagnate.
When we try to define love based upon insecurities, biases, and sometimes hate—we end up perverting the purest gift God
has given us.
As the saying goes… now that we know better, we can do better. We are equipped to go into the world and share our love
freely, unconditionally, and without apologies. This is done with an understanding that, because I love myself and my love
glorifies God, it doesn’t have to be exclusive to my own ethnic group or just to those who love me back.
I can love just because.
| There is no such thing as Black Love. Love is Love...And even more particularly, God is Love. God does not have a color. |
There is no such thing as Black Love.
Love is Love. And even more particularly, God is Love. God does not
have a color. The Kingdom of Heaven is comprised of many different
colors— some we probably never knew existed.
As our relationship with Christ grows, so does our maturity. We begin
seeing things for what they are, not from a worldly sense or a political
standpoint, but from the vantage point of Kingdom living and thinking.
As Christians, we are called to be examples for the world; to show the
world how to love; to be models of Christ.
Love is Love. And even more particularly, God is Love. God does not
have a color. The Kingdom of Heaven is comprised of many different
colors— some we probably never knew existed.
As our relationship with Christ grows, so does our maturity. We begin
seeing things for what they are, not from a worldly sense or a political
standpoint, but from the vantage point of Kingdom living and thinking.
As Christians, we are called to be examples for the world; to show the
world how to love; to be models of Christ.
| There will always be a need to represent ourselves boldly as long as we are within a minority group, but it must be done with integrity and fairness. |
Miriam Adams-Washington is a published author, freelance writer as well as Screenwriter. She lives in
Northeast Missouri with her family. Please visit Miriam on her website
Her current book on the market, The Quiet Strength Within, can be purchased anywhere books are sold or
directly from her at miriamadamswashington_01@yahoo.com
Northeast Missouri with her family. Please visit Miriam on her website
Her current book on the market, The Quiet Strength Within, can be purchased anywhere books are sold or
directly from her at miriamadamswashington_01@yahoo.com
