Home Between the Margins with Jacquel Ward What’s Love Got to Do with Anything? – An Examination of Black...

What’s Love Got to Do with Anything? – An Examination of Black Love Part 1

The Black gender war

Men versus women, who will win? The black community has entered a full-blown gender war. Many black families die off, having little impact on their neighborhood’s development. The current climate exists with much hostility for anyone searching for love. Trends and contemporary ideals float through the air, anchored to the division of black men and women.

The hoard of content creators, podcasters, and media that promote volatile perspectives towards black families is a dangerous mainstream topic. Traditional courtship has become an offensive action in modern times. The health of the black family is in critical condition. Structurally, black families have lost the basic foundation of two parents being the starting point. Combative relations are often the journey one must travel to find a suitable partner.

As generations grow and realize their potential to influence their peers, many often look for ways to differ from traditional norms. The idea of love isn’t a new one, and neither is the idea of people choosing to be single. The wave of young people who believe that marriage is oppressive grows like weeds in a garden. Forcefully, they strangle the life of anyone who still wants to build a family. The rhetoric that women have suffered at the hands of men for centuries has created resentment towards men unlike at any time in history.

Many women now look for a different kind of fairy tale. The story used to be about a princess finding her prince, and they build a life together. They’d have a family and live happily ever after. In reality, we know that no life ever ended so perfectly. However, there was a chance that your life could be perfect for you. The hardships of love could be endured and overcome. Growing up, many women looked up to figures which spoke of butterflies in the pit of their stomachs when they sought to find a spouse.

Oversexualization of the culture along with the need for instant gratification, one can only wonder what will the future of black families be like. Fatherless households have created generations of young people weakened by their contempt and anger. Traumatic issues are hard to solve when no one truly knows the root of the cause.

Many men believe that modern women are just jezebel money-hungry manipulators. Various media and content in the black stratosphere revolve around the manipulation of the opposite gender. Influencers display lifestyles of bliss for the tons of people who follow their content, yet no one addresses the many lonely nights. The heart of the black family is close to flatlining.

The constant generations back and forth between black men and women without understanding or compromise leave future generations even more lost. At the core lies the hope for a better and brighter future. Cast aside are the days when a man could approach a woman with a gentle word and spark a lifetime of memories. Built upon new and more modern desires, black families are fading.

Technology has assisted in the lack of intimacy couples have. Social media, toys, and many other avenues remove the need for human affection. Will there be a need for the family? Most people go to their friend lists for comfort or their virtual lives to build strength.

With a minority of people holding to the tradition of building a family, will it be enough to hold together the crumbling black family? The vitriol shown toward women wanting to be housewives from other women have become typical. The skepticism from men looking to build a family have turned into whole communities expressing their disdain for modern women.

The court system, job markets, and educational institutions have played a part in deepening the division of black families. With policies catering to one gender over the other. The black man and woman must find a way to restore the foundation of the black family. Consequently, fewer black families are being created yet children are being born into the fray every day.

At this point, a clear answer to this gender war seems light years away. Who will discover – on some distant planet – the solution to the dying black family? Not only does financial stress tear families apart, but now social stress is keeping them apart.

The longer this war continues, the greater the casualties will be. According to the tons of information available today via the internet, it’s becoming difficult to settle on one factor. Though the world is becoming smaller and more accessible, people are becoming less connected.

As the terms and trends fill the brain of young people, the hope of black families getting stronger shrinks. Young women since the 1980s have believed that needing a man to raise a child wasn’t necessary. Young men have lacked the accountability of fatherhood for just as many decades. The road is filled with many obstacles, which many are unprepared for. It is time that older generations take responsibility and commit themselves to provide a better model for the next generations of families.

The heart is one of the strongest muscles in the body, yet the most vulnerable. How does one put their heart on the line without it being stepped on? The fear of being someone’s sucker is a dream no one aspires to.

The insecurities of inadequacy fill the thoughts of many looking for a life partner. Avoiding the dreaded heartbreak is inevitable. If we live based on the fear of loss, how can we ever truly find the bliss of love?

Entertainment has become such an influence on the minds of people, that their feelings and desire are based on the words of strangers. Getting to know oneself may be a start. Black families are lying on the operating table, and the doctor is running out of answers.

Presently, the answers may allude even the greatest minds. We have to take the time to heal ourselves. Once we realize that trauma isn’t the only issue to heal from, then can the black family truly flourish?

Every family is built on different desires but has the same foundation. As evil isn’t a new concept, we mustn’t let that dictate the path we take to build families for our future generations. I could share the many statistics about black families and the destruction it has seen. I see more value in giving the individual the power to go looking for the answers to their questions.

If you believe that there are no good men, then you’ll find reasons and excuses to continue finding no good men. If you believe all women are gold-digging manipulators, then all you’ll find are reasons and excuses to never take a chance.

Love is a battlefield for sure. The idea of working together in this gender war is becoming treasonous. Choose your weapons wisely, and remember that the stake of the black family is in jeopardy. You may not change the collective state of mind, but as an individual, you can find that one person you can build a family with!

WANT MORE?

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE LATEST ARTICLES AND STORIES RIGHT IN YOUR INBOX

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Previous articleBreaking the Chains of Addiction: My Uncle’s Journey to Sobriety
Next articleMy Strong, Independent Black Mother: A Tribute
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up in an era(the 1980s) where families and communities suffered many tragedies and traumas, I was no exception. The path many children took involved dangerous outcomes and possible life-threatening decisions. At a young age, I could adapt which allowed me to avoid pitfalls early. However, as we grow, life can be a bit daunting and overwhelm anyone. Facing many challenges, I attended the public school system where I was introduced to my first piece of creativity. “Goodnight Moon,” a book that allowed young people to feel the warmth of saying goodnight. Upon reaching high school I began to explore the many different forms of creativity from music, art, and creative writing. This would consume me over the next two decades. From making beats to writing stories, I felt a strong desire to craft material which inspired young people. As a father and husband, though struggles persist, the lessons learned have allowed me to share through my creative literary works continually. Life isn't a destination along a path, life is the path

NO COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Exit mobile version