February is a strange little month. Accent on the word little. Twenty-eight days, except when it’s twenty-nine, and either way it remains the shortest of the twelve. Yet those few days are choc full of special days. In addition to being Black History Month, February also contains the birthdays for both Presidents Lincoln and Washington, Groundhog day is one of my a personal favorites even when the little critter hands out bad news. There is Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday, and surely everyone knows and loves Valentine's Day as an excuse for hearts, flowers and chocolates.
There is one additional holiday that is growing in popularity. Black Love Day was created in 1993 by Ayo Handy-Kendi, the founder of the African American Holiday Association. Black Love Day is an African-American “wholyday” in the tradition of Juneteenth and Kwanza. The holiday was created to demonstrate love, forgiveness, and acceptance.
While February 13 is not a federal holiday, it is a deeply meaningful celebration rooted in the Black community based on 5 Tenets (specific acts) of love -
love for the Creator,
love of self,
love of family,
love for the black community,
and love for each other.
This is the perfect time of year to show the love by reading a Black romance or watching a Black rom-com. Let me offer up two of my favorites.
What a Match is a delightful book by Mimi Grace. Gwen Gilmore is newly single and out to find the perfect man with a list of what she wants and the assistance of a matchmaker. Anthony Woods has a long-standing crush on his best friend's sister, made worse when circumstances force him to crash in her apartment. She thinks he's grumpy, and way outside her dating list. He thinks she's perfect. Will she stick with the matchmaker's plans for her, or or take a second look at the Mr. Right who is right under her nose?
Love Jones is one of the best Rom Coms ever to hit a screen, and perfect for celebrating Black Love Day. In this classic, Nina Mosley, a photographer, and Darius Lovehall an aspiring writer,fight their romantic addiction to each other. But, fear not, they are a perfect couple and end up together at the end.
4 comments:
Barbara, one of the things I most appreciate about your blog posts is how your posts enhance my knowledge and understanding the contributions of African Americans. I had not heard of "Black Love" as a holiday. I love why it was created "to demonstrate love, forgiveness and acceptance" as well as the 5 Tenets. February 13th is the birthday of one of my circle sisters and I'm sharing this with her and with others.
Very cool--hope you had a great Black Love Day!
Love this post - learned something new. Also, thanks for book rec. Can't wait to read it. Hope you had a wonderful Black Love Day!
Thank you Barbara! Love the history of this holiday, and the 5 Tenets. I'm a Rom Com fan so thanks for the recommendations.
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