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What Watching “Black Love” Taught Me About Love and Healing
by Jasmine Raheem
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July 7, 2022

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5 Minute Read

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What Watching “Black Love” Taught Me About Love and Healing

Zena Foster and Tank Babbs

I have always loved witnessing true Black love. Especially because generally, love isn’t the narrative that is painted by society in relation to black men and women. On the news, social media, movies and TV shows, we see more discord than anything. I love seeing Black love highlighted and celebrated. The only thing better than witnessing it, is actually experiencing it. Before meeting my husband, I was a hopeless romantic. I thought marrying the man of my dreams was farfetched and highly unlikely. Especially given my situation. I was given the baby mama stigma and had fallen into a place that I thought I would be stuck forever. I didn’t think anyone would want me. “Black Love” has taught me the complete opposite. No matter the situation, Black women can absolutely experience love and romance. More importantly, Black people deserve to be loved to that capacity. 

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“Black Love” has opened my eyes to so many different perspectives and has attributed to my growth as a wife. Witnessing love and listening to the stories of other couples provides a different point of view on things and allows me to open up my way of thinking. Hearing the stories of couples who have overcome obstacles has taught me that even in the toughest of times, forgiveness, compassion, and communication are tools that are essential in getting past difficulties. It has also taught me how to pick and choose my battles. Not everything deserves an argument. Although arguing is inevitable and can be healthy for a relationship, choosing to let small things go can create such a peaceful environment for both partners. 

Kevin and Melissa Fredericks
Kevin and Melissa Fredericks

Another lesson that “Black Love” has taught me is that your partner should be your priority. My husband and I have five children together and life sometimes gets in the way of our relationship. Making that conscious effort to prioritize our marriage has only made us stronger. Sometimes we have had to skip family events, ask family members to babysit and neglect our phones just so we could give each other that one-on-one time. I have also learned how important it is for your partner to also be your friend. My husband and I are each other’s best friends and that is okay! Although it is important for each of us to be individuals and spend time with our own group of friends, knowing that your partner is that number 1 confidant in your life, provides such a large sense of security in the relationship.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned from “Black Love” is self-love and healing. Without that, there is no way that I can be the woman and wife that I am today. Given all the trauma that I have been through; domestic violence, infidelity, and emotional neglect, I take pride in knowing that I am the softest and most vulnerable I have ever been. The woman that my husband experiences isn’t a result of my trauma, it is a direct result of my self-love and healing. To me, that is what “Black Love” is about, loving yourself so much that you are able to love your partner effectively. “Black Love” has done that for me and for so many others. It has highlighted Black love in all capacities. 

Catch Season 6 of “Black Love” beginning July 23rd on OWN, and watch every season on the Black Love+ App. Check out the teaser below, Meet the Couples from the final season, and make sure you’re following Black Love on InstagramFacebook, and Twitter for exclusive content!

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