Black Love

We live in a racist society. It is impossible to sensibly argue that fact. Because of this unfortunate truth, black love is special. Whether it be romantic, platonic or familial love, black love has a different feel. There is something so unique about the bond among us, that is hard to understand. It can often transcend country, ethnicity, or nationality. We have a unique shared experience in the world. As an afro-latina; for example, I may not have much in common culturally with an African american, at first I didn't even speak the same language. However, anywhere you are in the world black people have experienced discrimination and dehumanization. Racism is embedded so deeply into society that the only way for non black people to not be racist, is for them to actively unlearn what they have grown up learning through socialization. It is because of this that when you are in the company of people that are black like you, you feel a different type of comfort and safety. This is expressed even through the well known head nod that we give each other when we are in spaces where we are the minority. It is a way to say to a stranger“I see you”. Being able to bond with a stranger is something really interesting. Because of the society that we live in, anything that we do is deemed revolutionary. There is nothing more powerful in this sense than love. Now I do not want this to come across as me saying that black love is formed through trauma bonding, because it is much more than that. Sure we all go through the same, or similar, negative experiences that we can bond over, but it's also something that physically draws us to each other because we know that they are seeing us more fully than other people, that then becomes this special type of love. Whether it's among brothers, lovers, or friends this love is unmatched. This love is safe. This love is comforting. This love is deep.