We've seen memes about it. Black women are demonized for wanting to preserve it. There is a never-ending discussion around it.
But what exactly is Black Love?
Across the globe, we don't see other demographics pushing for "white love" or "Asian love," so why do we as black people feel the need to cling onto this idea of "black love"?
In a community that ranks the highest in poverty, abortion, and illegitimate births, one may say that the idea of black love is our fairytale. If we go back in history, this type of love shouldn't even exist. Everything was done to prevent it. In the days of slavery, the system did not allow for such love to flourish; families were torn apart, parents were killed, children/mothers were raped. Marriage was forbidden unless sponsored by a white person — only in certain states.
White supremacy made "black love" an oxymoron. It was a notion that seems unattainable in today's society. For many, it still feels like it is. Throughout the years, through all the hardships, black love still persisted. It developed on a spiritual level because we didn't always get the chance to love in person.
Black love is a concept that embraces the idea of unity and togetherness. It is hugging your son with a fear that he may never come home. It is raising your daughter to excel in white, male-dominated societies. Black love is a revolution because it is everything history says shouldn't be here.
