Black Love Matters by Jessica Pryde (Review by Amanda Gavigan)

4.5 stars

Black Love Matters by Jessica P Pryde is a collection of essays and insights examining the way black love is portrayed and the search for the happily ever after within the race. Filled with different examples from a variety of media from years gone by to present day, this is a book which exposes another injustice to a race fighting for equality, and to be seen and heard.

Each essay and writer brings a new insight/ reflection presenting it to the reader. Digging deep into history, readers get an honest look at how far racism extends, Black Love Matters exposes how white love has been the leading example of happily ever afters. The examples provided cause the reader to take a moment to pause and reflect on the effect racism and injustice has within such an important aspect in life.

Common in each essay is how black people have full lives and are trying to live it in a world that is constantly telling them they can’t have ‘nice things’, including a base emotion like love. While history has shown different advocates for this particular life aspect it has not been easy or even recognized. Black love has been consistently written about however the publishing of each document has not been approved or even widely publicized even to this day.
Examined within these collections of essays is black love in various forms of media whether it be television, writing of all forms. Also viewed is how the sense of romantic love is perceived even within the race itself and the fight for the happily ever love vs daily love.

Black Love Matters is a call for action by a group of intelligent strong women known within each of their respective fields. As they share their own personal histories and experiences with love, they open the readers eyes to just how much is seen outside the box as opposed to inside. Black Love Matters is a reflective book for any reader no matter their racial identity and begs for a further dialogue to begin.