I wanted to document Black Love separately. Black Love, to me, is the love shared amongst Black people from ourselves and to ourselves. Black Love is rarely celebrated in American society. According to media and popular social networks, Black people don’t love each other and we don't love ourselves. We don’t value each other. It isn't unusual to see memes or depictions of Black men and women pitted against each other over child support issues and domestic abuse. It isn't unusual to see Black men lust for women of different races and ethnicities as they downplay Black women. It isn't unusual to see a Black woman desire a man of a different race or ethnicity so that their child will have more manageable hair and desired features. It isn't unusual for us to berate each other over our names and identities, often calling each other ghetto, thots, uncle toms, coons, hoes, bitches, sluts, etc. We are constantly bombarded with images of broken homes and encouraged not to express our feelings within ourselves and for each other, unless wanting to be deemed weak. When we do celebrate ourselves and acknowledge our accomplishments with hashtags such as #Blacklivesmatter, #Blackgirlmagic, #blackisbeautiful, we are met with anger and deemed "racist". Mainstream music suggests black women are only good if they have huge breast and fat asses. We're only valuable if we can carry out sexual favors. Black men, too, are victims of only being regarded for sexual favors and are commonly used for sexual exploitation in certain realms of entertainment. Rape, molestation and misogyny are also culprits of hindering Black Love. Lack of self worth is a hindrance to Black Love. Lack of self love is a hindrance to Black love. Poverty is a hindrance to Black Love. Depression is a hindrance to Black Love. Suicide is a hindrance to Black Love. Jealousy is a hindrance to Black Love. Mass incarceration is a hindrance to Black Love. Pride and ego is a hindrance to Black Love. Media suggest Black women aren't worthy of commitment but we are worthy of being playgrounds and breeding grounds for others. It suggests that Black men are aggressive and cold hearted, only able to dedicate themselves to money, material possessions and multitudes of women. Growing up, I saw few examples of Black Love myself as I was placed in foster care and my biological parents separated. Even cultural norms usually associated with Black people are deemed unprofessional or undesired. These things include braids, colorful nails, voluptuous figures and dark skin. All of which are desired, just not on Black people. So, when I hear about Black Love, it truly is magical for me. Black Love is revolutionary in the sense that, in the many years of separatism and purposeful violence committed against us, we have thrived and survived. Black Love is Unique. Black Love is resilient. Black Love is divine. Black love is important. I desire Black Love though I am aware that my soulmate (if he exists lol) can come in any body. Hearing these stories and seeing it makes it that much more believable to me and that much more attainable. There is a constant attack on Black bodies from the outside world and amongst ourselves. That is my reality. So, when I see Black Love being cultivated, protected and thriving right in front of me, it is a sight to behold.

_Lada