ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - February is a month of many celebrations from Valentine’s Day to Black History Month. One thing that does not get talked about enough is a combination of those two things: Black Love.
Love can be found all around us. In some cultures it can be harder to find than in others. Historically, Black love has not always been portrayed in the same way as others. One reason for this goes all the way back to the days of slavery.
“From 1836, basically to 65 families were ripped apart. You’re talking about children. You’re talking about parents. You’re talking about husbands and wives within the context of the institution of slavery.” Clennon L. King, Albany Historian, said.
Before this became the Dougherty County Judicial Building, this site held one of the first slave auctions in South Georgia, ripping black families apart. For many this was the beginning of separation in the black family but love has a way bringing people back together.
Historians say the early days of slavery impacted black men and women for generations. For years, many struggled to define their roles in relationships.
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“What sustained us, what sustained us was ultimately love, you know. even where it concerns the civil rights movement. You look at a Charles Sherrod, who kickstarted the Albany movement and what sustained him was this black woman by the name of Shirley Sherrod. That’s what sustained him to do the work.”
WALB spoke to two married couples right here in South Georgia about their marriages and the importance of black love.
“As far as black people, you know our culture. We are me, me, me, What I want, what I want and You have a family here that is showing that, hey, it’s not all about what you want all the time. It’s about us together, coming together. And I think that that can be an example to a lot of people, you know, who are looking to be in relationships.” Matthew McCray.
Danielle and Matthew McCray have been married for five years. They met at church and told me that their love sparked from a friendship, so it was easy for them to build their relationship from there. They mentioned one important thing that has kept their relationship healthy.
“We keep God in the center. It sounds cliché, but it’s true. We got hit but hard in the first two years of our marriage because we started our family. So it really instead of pulling us apart, it brought us together” says Danielle McCray.
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The value of give and take and coming together are true even for a couple that’s been married for 37 years. Sherma and Stanley Owens say Black love is necessary for younger generations.
“So much negativity has evolved around black marriage, black people, black men especially is super important” says Sherma Owens.
Sherma and Stanley Owens have been married for 37 years and met at the ages of 44 and 46. They married shortly after they started dating and say the key to a strong and successful relationship is not only communication but also understanding your partner.
“Where I think it was love at first sight” says Stanley Owens and Sherma Owens says “I think it took a while.”
“You have to be very careful especially around black people, because they’re watching you, you’re setting an example” Stanley Owens.
Black people and the love that is created in black families has evolved since the times of slavery. And good examples can be found right here in the Good Life City.
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