Radical Love: AfroAmerican Women’s Legacy in Embracing Valentine’s Day and Black History Month

In this intersection of Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, we delve into the profound legacy of AfroAmerican women who have redefined love through radical acts of resistance, resilience, and revolution. Here’s how their historic references shape our understanding of love:

1. Isolation as Liberation: From Sojourner Truth to Audre Lorde, AfroAmerican women have navigated isolation as a form of liberation. In their solitude, they found strength, self-worth, and agency, challenging societal norms and embracing their authentic selves. This Valentine’s Day, we honor their radical acts of self-love and defiance against oppressive structures.

2. Community Care as Revolutionary Love: AfroAmerican women have long understood the power of community care as a tool for liberation. Whether through the activism of Fannie Lou Hamer or the communal support networks of Harriet Tubman, they have shown that love is not just an individual feeling but a collective force for change. This Black History Month, let’s celebrate their legacy by uplifting and supporting one another in our ongoing struggles.

3. Recognition of Resilience: In a society that often erases their contributions, AfroAmerican women have demanded recognition of their resilience and resistance. From Claudette Colvin(Rosa Parks' Inspiration) to Assata Shakur , they have fought for justice, equality, and representation, challenging the status quo and reshaping history. This Valentine’s Day, let’s recognize and honor their unwavering commitment to love as a radical act of resistance.

In embracing Black History Month and Valentine’s Day through a lens of radical love, we pay homage to the enduring legacy of AfroAmerican women who have paved the way for us. Their historic references remind us that love is not passive or complacent but a transformative force that empowers us to challenge, disrupt, and reimagine the world around us.

https://www.youtube.com/live/-KJFHOAFaVA?si=wTvCs_kyvw0WJJu0

Link goes to "Black Women Care Ethics: Radical Love and the Anti-Black World by Breya Johnson

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