Black Love…Everyday

Happy Valentine’s Day!! February is in full swing and we at CURA want to celebrate Black History Month and Valentine’s Day with a quick note about Black Love.

Black couples experience unique cultural and social dynamic that contribute to the way they experience their relationship. To celebrate them is to acknowledge the additional struggles that can add stressors to their relationship.

Representation is a key component in resilience. We are loving the increase in positive images and authentic stories from black couples themselves. The new movie, The Photograph (in theaters today), is one example. Though it’s a movie, the purpose (from Issa Rae herself) is to present black couples in the positive light they deserve. To have a mainstream movie center the development of a black couple is incredibly empowering.

As relationships therapists, we find it incredibly important to be culturally responsive to the needs of our clients. We encourage black couples to practice emotional vulnerability, unconditional support, and authentic expression to face sociocultural oppression. Sometimes you may only have each other and, with a little work and a lot of love, that’s enough!

Cheers to black love today and every day!!

Carla Smith PhD, LCSW, LMFT