HPU BSU Gala theme is changing the "Black love" stereotype 

What comes to mind when you hear the words “Black Love?” Does it press play on a record of  Billie Holiday and Al Green in your head? Do images of Black couples and the oppression they have faced throughout the years flash in your mind? Or is it a foreign concept that you can’t  identify with at all? 

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This year High Point University’s Black Student Union is shining a light on a side of Black  history month that isn’t often focused on. “Black Love” is this year’s gala theme and they plan to take back the stereotypes surrounding “Black love” and everything that it encompasses.  

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Historically, the representation of Black couples hasn’t always been healthy. A trope that is often  depicted in heterosexual relationships is the angry Black woman and the inattentive Black man. In iconic movies like “Baby Boy” and “Waiting to Exhale,” Black love is illustrated as difficult and less desirable. Compared to movies like “Sleepless in Seattle” and “The Notebook,” movies in which people often envy the love story of the main characters. 

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Changing the narrative on stereotypes like those is the driving force for events like the BSU’s gala. It facilitates a conversation between minorities affected by these generalizations and people who may not even realize these stereotypes exist. 

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“By challenging negative perceptions of Black love, society can encourage open conversations about communication, trust and emotional well-being within relationships,” said Jay Griffin,  BSU’S event coordinator.  

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One of the earliest Black couples ever shown was in the short film “Something Good-Negro Kiss.” The thirty second clip shows two actors kissing and dancing around. However, the film  was recently added into the National Library of Congress’ National Film Registry, according to the University of Chicago. 

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The lack of representation goes far beyond romantic films. The University of California did a research study on the distribution of lead actors characterized by ethnicity. In 2011, only 10.5%  of lead actors were minorities compared to the 89.9% of white lead actors.  

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Over the years the number of minority lead actors has steadily climbed, though never toppling the majority according to the same study from the University of California. 

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High Point University’s Black Student Union is using their platform and their voice to speak out about the different perceptions of love in all its forms.  

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“The point of the gala is to commemorate African American history month and just speak to culture and speak to Blackness,” said Vice President Gabrielle Tita.

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Tita explained that wanting to highlight Black History Month was one of the key reasons that the same time frame has been picked every year. Like many historically Black organizations on campus, Black history month is a time for clubs and students alike to honor their history and celebrate their future.  

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“The idea is not just to talk about Black love as far as romantically, but also platonically, as far as friendships and being in good healthy friendships,” said Tita.  

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The gala takes place on Feb. 10 and they are expecting around 150 people to be in attendance for the event. 

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Though one event won’t change perceptions overnight, it certainly starts a conversation. Why does Black love have so many surrounding stereotypes and how much does society feed into those stereotypes? 

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To learn more about the Black Student Union and the gala visit their Instagram @highpointbsu or on hpuconnect.com.