In this beautiful poem and short film, poet Grace Salvant navigates an internal struggle about a fleeting encounter with a white man.
Many Black women are taught to only view Black men as romantic partners. "Like most Black women, I was conditioned to pledge allegiance to the Black man," Salvant told For Harriet via email. "That he already has enough on his plate so I should be his primary support system. That dating outside my race was a betrayal to my ancestors."
Though she's forged her own views on partnership, Salvant still experiences conflicted feelings about the encounter.
"The poem really just captures my excitement which was halted by my hesitance, trapped by my reluctance, wrapped up by, what I know now to be, a false sense of guilt," she said.
Being Mary Jane is one of the best shows on TV that doesn't hold back in portraying the complexities and vulnerabilities of a Black woman. And it is no secret that many of Mary Jane's relationship are toxic and destructive.
Kiara Muse and her fiancée Dr. Rani Whitfield shared their love story with The Rouge Collection. The couple speaks about how they are overcoming one of the toughest situations they ever thought they would encounter.
Check out this For Harriet video How to Love a Womanist: A Guide to Loving a Progressive Black Woman with Dr. Stiletto. Dr. Stiletto discusses the special challenges that can arise in relationships with black women who hold progressive and womanist values.
Hiram and Felicita share their love for each other in a new spot for Hallmark's #PutYourHearttoPaper campaign. The couple heartfully talks about their 15 year marriage in interviews that left them both in tears.
You can learn so much from listening to the elders. In this short clip taken from a documentary released in 1982, Eartha Kitt explains what she's learned about compromise while in love. In short, she's not a fan.
