feel good Black sPaces

By Mena Sawyer

Black spaces are the glue of the Black community. These places are often the only way to be around people who can truly understand and uplift our Blackness. Each space serves its own unique purpose, but all celebrate Black culture.

The church is the epicenter of the Black community. Every Sunday, aunties dust off their most extravagant hats and uncles shine their best pair of loafers in order to prep for that strut down the aisle to the offering basket. With an offering in hand, folks dressed in their Sunday best exchange hugs, blessings, and smiles with each other against the background of a gospel choir. Church is a weekly event that inspires us as a community to look our best while offering an outlet to bond through a shared religion.

The full church look is often achieved with a fresh hairstyle so every few weeks women and men travel to salons and barbershops. A hair appointment for a fresh line up and a new set of braids means bringing the best hot takes to distract ourselves from how long we’re going to be sitting in the chair. These spaces are known for its conversations about Black culture. This setting is so unique as it serves as an open forum that allows us to bond over our similarities and become educated on our differences.

Cookouts are another staple of Black culture. It’s where we come together to enjoy each other’s company and simply enjoy being Black. The mix of soul food and Motown music is the backdrop for dancing, card games, and laughter as we reminisce about the past and talk about the big plans for the future.

As some Black students move away to predominantly white colleges, a reoccurring question arises whether our school will have the Black spaces we have become so accustomed to in our hometowns. The fi rst thing we are eager to do when we touch down on campus is to fi nd other Black people and hope they lead us to the Black spaces we are longing for.

So, in college, instead of popping out at church, we get dressed up to support our friends at fashion shows and dance showcases. At each event we walk through the aisles to fi nd our seats and we get the chance to greet our friends with smiles and hugs. We move our conversations from salons and barbershops to kickbacks and parties where all our friends are welcome and all hot takes are encouraged. Instead of traditional cookouts, we throw darties that consist of good food, good music, good company, and strictly good vibes.

Having Black spaces is essential to the Black experience. Black spaces make us feel safe, they make us feel good and they allow us to celebrate the community we all love to be a part of.