through the lens:
The Toxic Reality of Our Favorite Black Films BY EBONY PITTS
W
hen you think of Black Love, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Is it your grandparents that have been married for 50 years, your favorite celebrity couple or maybe even your current relationship? Regardless of your response, our perspective of love not only comes from our experiences but also the media we consume. For me personally, movies and music have played a significant role in how I interpret, give and receive love. As a 90’s baby in love with all things black-produced during that time period, black love movies such as The Best Man, Love & Basketball and Love Jones, have had a large influence on my ideas of love. But what is it about these films that make them staples in the black community? Are they accurate representations of black love? Are they still relevant today? Let’s take a look through the lens of some of our favorite black love films. Disclaimer: the intention is not to ruin our favorite movies but to think a little deeper into some of the messages being portrayed and how we can work together as a community toward having healthier relationships.
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THE SQUEEZE
