I'll admit it. My finger isn't ALWAYS on the pulse of what's going on in the TV world, but I generally have an idea of what's hot. Having said that, I'd heard the buzz about the show "Black Love", but never really committed. I didn't know what to expect but hoped it would exceed any inkling of an expectation I had. Two seasons in, I decided to see what the hubbub was about and I'm so glad I did.
What is "Black Love"?
"Black Love" is a docu-series (created by a black couple: Codie Elaine Oliver and Tommy Oliver) highlighting prominent black couples and their journey to years of marital experience.
Why was this needed?
We already have trash TV and reality shows perpetuating negative stereotypes of how/why black couples can't get it right. We needed a refreshing change.
While watching, I put together a list of 6 reasons you absolutely should binge watch “Black Love” if you haven’t already.
IT’S MORE INCLUSIVE THAN YOU THINK.
While the title touts black love, the issues, stories, and emotions are universal to marriage and relationships. It’s relatable to anyone! I remember watching and thinking: these stories aren’t that different from the stories in other races. It can uplift ANY culture.
IT GIVES YOU HOPE FOR YOUR “RAGGEDY” RELATIONSHIP.
This may sound funny, but it’s true. If you’re at a crossroad in your relationship and you’re not sure if your headed in the right direction romantically, it shows you examples off crossroads leading to beautiful endings. It’s the energy you need to push harder to improve your relationship. It’s just inspiring!
IT SHOWS YOU THE ERR IN MAKING OTHER RELATIONSHIPS YOUR "GOAL".
It shines a light on the fact that EVERY relationship has problems and just because you may see a couple looking good in the limelight, you don’t know what’s REALLY going on in their home. The focus should be to have the best relationship YOU possibly can and not trying to mirror what you think looks like a good relationship.
IT SHOWS THERE’S NOT JUST ONE FORMULA THAT WORKS.
There are so many ways love happens and relationships grow. This show proves there’s no set formula to getting in a successful relationship, getting married, or maintaining the relationship. Things happen in the way they are supposed to happen for the couple.
IT’S A PROPONENT FOR WORKING THROUGH ISSUES.
In a society where giving up seems to be more popular than working things out, the show promotes working through issues instead of writing them off as incompatibility. Some of the couples credit therapy for their success while others credit trial and error. The commonality amongst them all is that they were willing to do the work to improve their relationship status.
IT SHOWS A WIDE RANGE OF AGES.
Older couples aren’t the only ones that are excelling in the relationship department and it’s important that our generation sees that. Some millennials are getting relationships and marriage right (contrary to what we may see on reality TV). It’s always encouraging to me when I see people my age who know what they want romantically and go for it!
I was really moved watching this series (and not just because I’m a hopeless romantic). I could feel the pain from their struggles and the triumph from their relationship successes. It made me feel like there’s a success story for EVERYBODY’s love life, you just have to find it and own it. I was energized to love more (I know that’s cheesy, but true) and I feel hopeful for where love/dating is headed. Don't just take my word for it... watch it!
