Black Love Day

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Black Love Day is an annual celebration that takes place February 13. Complementary to Valentine's Day (February 14), Black Love Day is meant to focus on self-love, connection, and preservation of culture, particularly in the African American community, rather than romantic love. [1]

Contents

History

Black Love Day was first celebrated in Washington, D.C., in 1993. [2] It was conceived by community organizer Ayo Handy-Kendi who, after seeing the film Malcolm X in the theatre, felt compelled by a higher power (called "the creator") to do something to foster unity. [2] [3]

In 1994, after the death of her son to violence, Handy-Kendi added a "relationship ceremony" to the observance, in which someone chooses to forgive another who wronged them, or apologize for having wronged someone else. [2]

Observance

The symbol of Black Love Day is the akoma (heart), which represents love, unity, and patience in West African culture. [4] Participants greet each other with the phrase nya akoma (get a heart, be patient). [5]

Each year the celebration has a different theme, [6] but is always based on five tenets: "love toward the Creator, love for self, love for the family, love within the Black community and love for Black people." [7] [8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jameelah, Yasmine (February 13, 2023). "Why Black Love Day Actually Isn't About Romantic Love". Black Love.
  2. 1 2 3 Decaille, Nia (February 13, 2024). "What Is Black Love Day?". The New York Times .
  3. ↑ "BLD history". African American Holiday Association. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  4. ↑ Shaikh, Faria (August 5, 2024). "Akoma: Embracing the Symbol of Love in Kumasi". Media in Ghana. University of Oregon.
  5. ↑ Scott, Megan (February 13, 2003). "The other day of the heart: Black Love Day". The St. Petersburg Times.
  6. ↑ Anderson, Zuri (February 13, 2024). "Black Love Day: Embracing Everything Black Ahead Of Valentine's Day". Black Information Network .
  7. ↑ Kai, Maiysha (February 13, 2022). "Have you heard of Black Love Day?". The Grio .
  8. ↑ Coral, Racquel (February 10, 2022). "5 Ways to Celebrate Black Love Day". The Chicago Defender .


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