“Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence.”
― Erich Fromm
The season of love is upon us once again and with it comes the romantic dates, dinners and a flurry of gifts being given and reciprocated in return. As many prepare to celebrate the season of love with their special ones, the occasion also provides a good opportunity to leverage the beauty of love and to express its myriads of colors in different ways to impact not just individual lives but the community likewise.
For many in Black communities, the season of valentine connotes only one of the four types of love called Eros which is rooted in the romantic love and a deepened need for emotional closeness and connection. But beyond eros, the other forms of love which are agape, philia and storge also play a crucial role this season and can be instrumental in strengthening the social structure and fabric of black communities.
For many Black communities, this season is an opportunity to not only to give back through programs, and other forms of activities, but to also deepen relationships within the community through initiatives that would guarantee a stronger and more secure community.
In line with these values, FunTimes Magazine is hosting a Valentine’s Special event—“How the Power of Love Can Strengthen Black Communities”❤️—designed to celebrate the multifaceted nature of love. Set to take place live on Instagram on Friday, February 21st, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST, the event will explore:
❤ How love fosters support and empowerment in our communities
❤ The role of love in mental, emotional, and generational healing
❤ Ways to build stronger, more connected relationships in everyday life
This initiative is a beautiful reflection of the idea that love is not just about romance but also about strength, unity, and healing within our communities. (Watch the live event here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFgfRXMt3vc/?igsh=MXR2amV4OThtaHJ1Yw%3D%3D)
One of the best forms of expression of the color of love and its power is evident in the long-standing structure of the Black family. Built to be communal in nature, the Black family is not just restricted to the father, mother and children structure alone, it is also a combination of other members of the extended family, who play a great role in offering support, guidance and stability where necessary.
This season of love provides a great opportunity to deepen these family engagements and strengthen bonds within various Black communities. Themed events that highlight family values and promote social interactions can be a great way to bring families together. By encouraging participation, families are offered an opportunity to renew and strengthen bonds which ultimately plays a great role in impacting the stability of black communities.
Like all society all over the world, black communities are not immune to social problems. With rising cases of divorce, juvenile misdemeanours, parental neglect as well as absent parenthood amongst others, Black communities are threatened by an avalanche of issues that threatens the very fabric of its structure.
Prevalent among the very core of these issues is an absence of love. Deep wounds resulting from discrimination, parental neglect and abuse, as well as societal marginalization have created painful sores which the power of love is capable of healing.
While romantic activities are the hallmark of these seasons, the opportunity to leverage programs and activities that help the unloved in the society find meaning and purpose for their existence cannot be ignored. Black communities can provide healing, empathy and understanding by not only showing that society cares but also through such programs, provide aid to those confronted with one social challenge or another and help them find meaning to their existence and a place in the society once again.
This season of love is also a great opportunity to extend care and concern to the elderly who continue to contribute to the social structure of Black communities through their deep well of knowledge. Extending power of love to bring healing to those who are sick and deprived of the very joys this season offers is also another way to strengthen Black communities by showing the value in our shared humanity and how little acts of kindness can go a long way to impacting the lives of those unable to enjoy the very things we usually take for granted.
Black communities must continually appreciate how vital the communal relationships have been crucial to its progress as a society. In this season of love, eros being the most concentrated focus of the valentine season is not the only way love can be expressed. Leveraging other forms of love to spread good cheer and help people experience the color of love in a different form can go a long way in deepening the bonds that hold a community and people.
Okechukwu Nzeribe works with the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, in Anambra State, Nigeria, and loves unveiling the richness of African cultures. okechukwu.onicima@gmail.com
