Black Women, Love and Where They <em>WON’T</em> Find It (Part 2)

Black Women, Love and Where They WON’T Find It (Part 2)

This is the follow-up post to my previous article on how little sense it made for black women to waste their time looking for love and acceptance from directions it was not forthcoming. At the end of the article, I asked why. Just why do so many black women handicap themselves in this regard and waste so much valuable time and valuable love? This part will discuss some possible theories and then I’d love to open the floor to the community members as to how black women can get around this irrational way of dealing with love.

Author : Toni

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This is the follow-up post to my previous article on how little sense it made for black women to waste their time looking for love and acceptance from directions it was not forthcoming. At the end of the article, I asked why. Just why do so many black women handicap themselves in this regard and waste so much valuable time and valuable love? This part will discuss some possible theories and then I’d love to open the floor to the community members as to how black women can get around this irrational way of dealing with love.

 

Reason #1: It’s all she knows…

 

Some women are taught from the cradle that love of any kind is a pipe dream or that it exists, but it is not for them. Or maybe they can get a little of it when a person or group gives them permission to have it. But it’s ABSOLUTELY necessary that they stand still and take abuse until such time as a “pardon” is granted.

This person has been shut in all her life and she can’t grasp being loved in a way that is healthy and deserved. So when you try and explain concepts of self-acceptance and boundaries and red flags, it’s as if you’re explaining nuclear fusion in Icelandic to a toddler from Peru. Comprehension is not something you can reasonably expect under the circumstances.

But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen eventually. Some women catch onto the lie of how “nobody wants you!” and they run, rather than walk, as far away from it as possible into the world and find love and happiness. These women may start off afraid of failure and creeping along because of fear of  validating their lack of self-worth. Well, creeping along is a lot faster than being paralyzed. No matter how slowly you move towards loving yourself and finding love that you deserve, just remember this: You’re moving a whole heck of a lot faster than the person who refuses to move away of that mindset at all.

 

 

Reason #2: It’s all she WANTS to know…

 

You’ll recall my post on haters and how some people are content at the bottom of the barrel, but are mad at you for not racing them to the bottom of it. Well, the women tend to fall into either this or the third category. These black women may have been spoon-fed the lie of inherent black woman inferiority, but there are some key differences between these women and the first group. Chiefly, these women will fight you over their lack of self-worth. Sometimes LITERALLY fight you over a belief of being better and of aspiring for better things. Anyone that will fight you over the idea that you don’t have to accept less and be inferior is beyond salvation in my humble opinion.

Others may disagree and in the name of sisterhood and blind faith put their naked arms into a pit of snakes. They are welcome to do so, but I will not be joining their ranks.

Never underestimate the ability of some people to work against themselves even harder than sensible persons work for themselves. Such persons are not insecure in the sense that a kind word and a helping hand can change them. They are active with their self-hate. They cannot rest in the corner being low: These women are determined to make YOU as low as possible as a confirmation of how little they deserve. There are people who are comforted that they aren’t alone at the bottom being stepped on and over. They don’t have the mental and emotional toughness to get up. Instead, they channel all of their energy into holding as many others down there with them as possible.

These women do, more so I suspect than the first group, know that they will not receive love and compassion from viable sources with their actions and mentality. But that’s not their focus. Their focus is on seeing to it that they aren’t the only ones not receiving either.

 

 

Reason #3:

It’s all certain parties want her to know…

 

In the heart of Trolladelphia,  you’ll find a truth bubbling just underneath the surface of the obsessive fixation these persons have with black women escaping or who have always been beyond their clutches. That truth is that for all the concern trolling, polite poisoning, or out-and-out indignant attacks that try and paint forward-moving black women as in the wrong, these people are MAD AS HELL that they can’t hold any power over black women that are free of them.

These people play out the scenario of what happens sometimes when you give a little bit of power to the powerless: They can become more brutal than the worst dictators and just as thirsty for power. Helpless and impotent in most ways that it matters in today’s world, these people are desperate for someone to be bigger than. Someone they can bully, put down, and beat on. Some people may not be helpless, but they feel entitled to use black women as a stepping stone. In any case, when you have people who make it their business to ever-so-kindly inform you that you’re unattractive, unwanted and need to “know your place”, never ever think that it’s for your benefit.

I mean it: Not all advice is good and not every advisor has your back. You are responsible for determining your own happiness in this life. You must choose whether or not to heed your own inner voice that tells you what it is you really want out of life or listen to other people who seem a bit too satisfied when you fail.

 

No matter which one of these categories affects a black woman, it does not change that fact that she should be willing to put in the time and energy into seeking love and being willing to give it equally in return.

 

Now that there are some theories (do you have any other theories?) regarding why black women tend to behave this way, what are some ways that black women can get around this self-defeating behavior and look for love that is actually for them and from persons willing to give it?

 

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Pearl Rose 1182 pts

Hmm. This is a whole lot. I'm not even sure what to say. I've never been taught this, thank goodness. But I have always felt entitled to basic human rights. Some black women don't even know what their human rights are! I'd rather have entitlement issues than feel like I'm not entitled to anything, including human rights. 

 

To be honest I'd rather be a huge brat, than live like that. That's too sad for me. *Backs up slowly*

grrlysquirrel75 1121 pts

The "It's all I've ever known" school of thought can be a seductive one. It lulls you into a false sense of security so that you can continue to be with those who are like you and can identify with your situation. I've mentioned before that I come from very humble beginnings. Domestic violence which lead to the death of my grandfather is present on my father's side of the family, as well as alcoholism. Alcoholism is also present on my mom's side of the family. You can imagine all the things I saw and heard growing up as one of the few female children in my family, in rural Northeast Georgia. They were things that, at the time, I was desensitized to. For example, out of wedlock births among cousins, dropping out of high school, driving around without a license, no car insurance, women picking fights with their man's other women, the repo man getting shot down the street, my cousin the thief breaking into people's homes, the list goes on and on. If you live among all of that and you don't have the critical thinking skills to recognize how effed up all of that is, then you take a sick and twisted pride in that lifestyle. People in my family have been known to brag about some of those examples of dysfunction. I was lucky enough to have a mother that encouraged me to not take things at face value. She always told me that I could be or do whatever I wanted. My love of school and learning helped me to see that I needed to move far beyond the mentality of those around me. In order to do so, I knew I had to physically remove myself. Moving to another part of the country and working with a therapist helped me to recognize the things that seemed "normal" because they were all I'd ever known were actually quite the opposite.

 

At almost 37 I'm not married, and I don't have children. That's not because I believe that I'm at the bottom of the barrel and that no one wants me. It's because I'm working on me right now. I've never wanted to have children, so I know I can pretty much get married any time, as long as I find the right man. I have a few prospective suitors, all of whom are non-BM. Since I've never spent much time in black churches or around many black people other than family (who are often card-carrying members of Blackistan), I don't have to spend much time deflecting their fake concern and polite poisoning. Because I gravitate toward people based on my interests, Blackistan has never had any love for me. I think the folks in Trollidelphia know better than to step to me. The air of confidence that it has taken me a long time to cultivate makes them shrink back when they see me coming. I stand strong in my convictions, which, of course, puts all of those brainwashing freaks off.

Karla 18246 pts

 grrlysquirrel75 Awesome testimony.  My paternal grandmother used to say that whatever a person was going to be was "born in them".  I never believed that because I felt no matter where one was born or what kind of family situation they lived in, they could rise above it if it was bad.  My dad was in the Army so I wasn't around my extended family much but sure did hear about them.  That bragging about dysfunction?  OMG, yes they did.  I had cousins who were proud of having stolen Christmas gifts from those who "had" so they could have their own Christmas and reveling in the fact that the victims would be crying because they had been robbed.  Stupid, stupid, stupid.  Maybe had something like this been around, some of my girl cousins could have been saved.  But, it's all they know and they're quite happy to wallow there.  I'm so glad you took what your mom said seriously and got away from the BS.

Toni_M 18953 pts moderator

 grrlysquirrel75 , children is not for everyone and I honestly wish that some people had the wisdom to choose what is right for them in this regard. Some people don't want kids and there's nothing wrong with that! And...some people really don't need to be parents. I'm with you on the things seen growing up.

 

It can be very tempting indeed to "stick with what you know" without questioning whether or not what you know is something that's worth holding onto and passing on.

tracyreneejones 3596 pts

 grrlysquirrel75 Oh, how I love thee....let me count the ways.... :) We have much in common, my dear, much in common. 

grrlysquirrel75 1121 pts

 tracyreneejones That's probably why your writing really resonates with me :-). It's all love, darlin'!

GG123 371 pts

 grrlysquirrel75

 It is so beautiful to discover other black women that had made life positive choices! Critical thinking rocks! Good for you. I am 31, never been married. That inspired me to continue to keep working on myself, and continue to expect the best! I do hope for marriage, but just can not settle. The God in me has to much in store for any type of settling!!

grrlysquirrel75 1121 pts

 geneaj Yes, girl, keep working on yourself. There is no shame in taking any opportunity you can to have a better life. Doing so will help you to build self-esteem. A confident woman is an attractive one. Radiating positive energy will bring positive people into your life :-).

mahogany 481 pts

Toni,

 

For me, it was the indoctrination from majority of the churches I attended. I am very familiar with the following phrases:

 

1.  You want a husband? Wait, Wait, Wait. Its not  your time yet.

2.  You want to start your business? Ummm why dont you pray about it sister? Seek God's face. You know they stop giving loans out. (Did I ask for a loan?).

3. Labor for the Lord. If you need a blessing go and do God's work (true to an extent, but wayyy overused).

4. Cover up your legs honey, YOU don't want to entice the pastor.

5. Yes Pastor. Yes Pastor (this response has become sickening to me by the way).

6. If your husband knocks you down on the floor, lay there until Jesus picks you up.

7. The bible says if a MAN FINDETH..................

8. Don't rob God, pay your tithes

9. If you meet a guy take them to Pastor. Let him do a "smell test". (Um excuse me, I have a FATHER).

10. Okay so you say you want a tall dark and handsome man. Well you don't know how God will bless you. He may send you a midget with a good heart. (Please tell me why the subtext is never for BW to have what they desire? Why can't they say they are in agreement with me?)

11. Shock! You haven't been coming to church. Well at least you don't look unhappy. (Please give me a break).

12. Mothers Day (inumerable) Fathers Day (you can count the number of Fathers on a max of two hands).

13. So you want to travel abroad, well why don't you sit still and pray and seek God first. You know its dangerous over "there".  (Plz. They fell to mention how its dangerous in their comunities although there is a church on every corner).

 

14. Sister in Church: Girl how have you been doing?

       Me: I'm doing well. Life is great!

       Sister in Church: Are you still saved?

 

15. Me: Sister Jenkins, I am tired. I think I will call it a night. Been cleaning this church kitchen for hours.

      Sister Jenkins: Honey you got to "press on" . Don't let the devil come in you. (this teaches me to put myself last and be a mule).

 

This is why I love BWE messages because they put into words how I was feeling. They removed the fear of me "feeling" that something wasn't right. They unapologetically exposed me to the truth.

SirLoinDeBeef 2527 pts

 mahogany I (as a WM) do not know anything about the black churches or any specific black church - however, I have repeatedly heard of #16:

#16.  The women who sit there, endlessly tithing &  praying for a man, and medicating themselves with a fork.

mahogany 481 pts

 SirLoinDeBeef Oh my... thats a good one.

Karla 18246 pts

 mahogany Wow.  I've only been to a "Black" church once and didn't enjoy it.  I was labeled a "blasphemer" because I was Lutheran instead of Black Baptist.  From the time I was born, I was brought up in the Lutheran faith and therefore, in predominantly (well, let me just say it; we were the only Black family in every church we attended) White churches.  Never was I made to feel I didn't fit and we sure never had the type of list mentioned above.  I never proselytize, mainly because I believe everyone's spirituality is their own.  Do you still attend this church?

onmywayup 1800 pts

 Karla  mahogany Yeah, I haven't attended these types of churches either; the ones I attend/have attended are mostly multi-ethnic or predominantly white.  I actually didn't know this type of talk existed until I started lurking on forums dominated by black women...and "wow" was all I could say about it all.

mahogany 481 pts

 Karla No ma'am. I've been to many a churches like this in my 30+ years of living. The flip side is that they also did good things for the congregants as well.

VintageNarcissa 3151 pts

 mahogany SMH. I remember 2 years ago I went to a black church in my neighborhood for Easter. I never went back because I could smell it from a mile away that that was the type of thinking and behavior I'd find there. The pastor preaching was a famous guest pastor from Texas or something. He was talking about how when people say that their religion is a personal relationship with God their basically using it as an excuse to be lazy and not go to church. I wanted to walk out right there. 

 

I really like my father's church which is a very interesting one. It's a mega church in Maryland that while the congregation is majority black, the pastor is white. And he speaks God's word mixed with common sense. I remember once he said he doesn't understand why Christians dislike Harry Potter when they grew up on I Dream of Genie. I lol'd. 

kiki100 630 pts

 mahogany Sad. I recognize every single phrase.

YoFabulous 230 pts

 mahogany The only one I agree with is #8 because it is actually biblical.  I happily pay my tithes.  Number 10 kills me.  God promised to give me the desires of my heart so I dare anyone to tell me I can't ask God for exactly the man I desire.

 

I watch those women who sit in church waiting for a man to "find them".  SMH, all of the new men that have come in to church already HAVE a woman on their arm so you're sitting there waiting for the same tired men who haven't been looking at you in eons to start paying attention now?!  God didn't say where your man would "find" you, so I get out and about, pursue my interests and try and enjoy life.  

 

I trust that the man God is preparing me for will "find" me wherever I am.  I refuse to wither away on a church pew.

GG123 371 pts

To you karla00 I believe. Curious more what you meant by "culture", playing a huge role after knowledge and education. Culture meaning where you reside? Sorry slow learner lol. Thank you. Great talk, love this. 

GG123 371 pts

Culture also? May I ask you to explain that? Not sure what you mean by culture. Sorry I am slow learner lol.

Toni_M 18953 pts moderator

 geneaj  Was this addressed to me or someone else? Not sure what you wanted explained.

glamdoll 642 pts

I've encountered bp from #1, 2 & 3.  It was hard breaking away b/c a lot of them were family members.  But I'm so glad I did.  I haven't seen many of them in years.  And the benefits that I've gained from breaking ties with this damaged group has been priceless.

eugeniaberg 7245 pts moderator

@glamdoll That's it, you've got to let some ppl go. We're all different ppl so that may be harder for some than others but getting rid of 'damaged' ppl is the first step. This your life, only you can do something about it. One thing I've never had an issue w/ is cutting ppl off. I'll be damned if someone kills me while still here acting a fool. Then doing like the poster below, getting the hell out of soul sucking Dodge. Which i know you are diung. One of the best things I ever did was move to Seattle. I didn't know anything about BWE or all the stuff we talk of now but I knew when I looked at my family & ppl I knew in the old neighborhood I didn't want that, I wanted more. Since I'd visited Seattle as a teen and loved it couldn't wait to move. When my mom said she was packing everything she could carry in her Surburban & moving away. I was happy, we took off & haven't looked back. Much happier healthier mentally & physically living here. I hate to say it but once again I don't hate to say it, I am so happy I live in this city. It's been good for my soul.

mahogany 481 pts

 eugeniaberg   glamdoll "I don't hate to say it, I am so happy I live in this city. It's been good for my soul."

This almost brought tears to my eyes. I know what you mean.

GG123 371 pts

 glamdoll

 I broke away from family at a young age. I shiver to think what would of become of me if I would of stayed in the dysfunction. I still have so much unlearning to do at 31! Was told recently by a male cousin that white men are scared of black women! Whenever I mention a man I am interested in, this cousin wants to know the race right away. My mother told me that white men would not even stalk black women-they are so not interested! What a dangerous thing for me to believe! I did not believe that even as a teenager. Thank the heavens for to have discovered this site, I am learning I can have the big dream-the great life and be black and woman at the same time!!!

WendyLBarber 175 pts

I learned it from aunts. Only one was married until they both passed away. The others thought they were fine without a husband. They had boyfriends who mistreated them. Then in high school, a lot of girls were getting pregnant and thought it was cool.  One time on a temping job, a young lady in her 20s with several kids and a couple of daddies told me that I shouldn't wait any longer to have kids. I said, "So I'm to just have a baby by myself because time is running out. And chase after the nimrod for child support like you." It wasn't a question but a statement. My folks divorced when I was two and I always told myself that I would not have a child out of wedlock.

 

To escape... I moved from up north to down south. I was lucky enough to have a friend to help me find a place. A WM friend I met while in Japan. Before I moved down, I knew that I was going to avoid all black communities, that I wanted one with mixed individuals. And my friend wasn't going to allow me to move into a dangerous neighborhood. I'm in a historic side of town, have great neighbors (some a business people, lawyers, and judges), I can walk downtown. I know it's mentioned to have ladies move away if they can afford to. If you don't have a friend in the new location, go the the Chamber of Commerce of the city you want to relocate to. Many big cities have relocation packets that are free or for little cost. Find a place on a bus line, talk to employees at the library in that town, be close to a college campus, or area where things are happening.

 

I found an area that would nurture my art and writing career. I love my neighborhood and have neighbors (2 WM) who watch out for me. I've house and pet sat for them. It can be done. It was the best thing that's happened to me in my adult life so far.

SirLoinDeBeef 2527 pts

 WendyLBarber Wendy, this is SO GOOD to read.  All the 'supportive' talk between women won't help, if the needed infromation is not there - your 'Chamber of Commerce relocation packet' comment was worth, IMHO, dozens of 'solidarity' comments.

Guys can pick up and move on with little or no plans ... girls/women cannot, and thus they MUST pre-plan, before they FLEE!

GG123 371 pts

 WendyLBarber

 I am so inspired thank you for the great tips! I currently reside in Boise Idaho. I think I would like to move to a more active place. Change seems in order. I do not have a degree though, so trying to figure out if I should stay for school here or go to a community college in a diffrent state. I love the thought of totally starting fresh and not knowing a soul...yet!

eugeniaberg 7245 pts moderator

@geneaj @WendyLBarber Come on over to Washington, I live in Seattle & love it. I work for ITT tech teach ppl how to be paralegals,

WendyLBarber 175 pts

 eugeniaberg   geneaj  WendyLBarber I love Washington state and was in Seattle for a small amount of time. Loved it but wasn't in the best situation. Relatives. Sometimes you just want to choke them. I also like Portland. Will have to make another trip out. There's a Steampunk Con out there I believe.

eugeniaberg 7245 pts moderator

@WendyLBarber @geneaj My hubby & I were Portland about two weeks ago trying to attend a brew fest, that didn't work out but we had the great time still. I love that townn & if we weren't here which I still love Seattle & my hubby didn't love his job I swear we'd be packing a bag to move to Portland. I just love the Pacific Northwest.

mahogany 481 pts

 geneaj Perhaps renting out a room in the suburbs will do. They are on Craigslist ALLLLL the time. I found some fantastic people on there. I will admit that I found a few losers too though.

 

A rental company may be able to assist with your move. I see ads fo college students sharing a bedroom for at most $500 in a house in the burbs.

WendyLBarber 175 pts

 geneaj Thanks geneaj. I would pick a city, check it out online and get a relocation packet. I like to hold material in my hands and mark things up. Check out the community colleges in your new local and if you know what you want to pursue, get all info from the school (financial aid, all dates when you can enroll, etc - you may be able to sign up for classes online so that once you are in your new location, you jump right into being there). Why stay in a place for school when you have the itch to move on? Go for it in a new place. It is scary. I packed up my truck and moved not knowing what I was going to find but I knew it was going to be better than where I had started. Good luck and goddess vibes to you.

GG123 371 pts

 WendyLBarber

 Thank you. "Why stay in a place for school when you have the itch to move on?". That is a great point! Guess I thought it had to be either school here or travel. With school, I would love to study abroad also. I want to flirt with the french!!! Oh I am so so excited, with all this great empowering information and support. Life can be grand!!

eugeniaberg 7245 pts moderator

@geneaj @WendyLBarber There are a lot of ex-pat bw online, Onieka the traveller, American Black Chick in Europe, Tatiana in Flux (she wrote a blog post on here recently about Nicole Beharie), Nicole is the New Black, check,them out. My bestie is moving to Italy in a year, going to live in Tuscany then Spain for awhile. BW do it all the time, get outta here! :-)

WendyLBarber 175 pts

 geneaj I wish I had known I could go to school in another country when I was younger. I would have stayed in New Zealand and probably be working on the LOTR and Hobbit series. Hindsight is 20/20. Trying to fry other fish though. If you can go to school overseas, got for it. Send a postcard.

mahogany 481 pts

 WendyLBarber Love your post.

"I found an area that would nurture my art and writing career."

I lik that you put YOUR needs first.

Brenda55 19676 pts moderator

WendyLBarber

Chiming in on your post. For women who are looking for a change of venue here are a couple of sites where you can start your research.

 

The first is an online forum where you can get first hand information about your city of choice from the people who live there. The second is a great site that compares the pros and cons as well as the cost of living of hundreds of communities across the nation.

 

 

http://www.city-data.com/forum/

 

http://www.bestplaces.net/

 

eugeniaberg 7245 pts moderator

Many bw end up being codependent http://www.drirene.com/codepend1.htm it is something I've seen in many bw. Being raised in dysfunctional households could easily make someone codependent. So it means all other's needs come before your own. I keep saying this, many bw need some mental health help there is no way to break this cycle if you don't get the tools to break it. It can be broken. But mental health is not a priority in this country & not for blk ppl in general. What you speak of in this post @Toni is a mental problem. People who grow up in healthy households know they deserve love and care, if you grow up in an unhealthy one you're probably going to have some issues. Yesterday on the Bitter Becky thread I talked about WW w/ entitlement issues. You know bw for the most part don't have those issues, many of them think they aren't entitled to anything. I wish bw had some entitlement issues, I just wish as a group we believed we were entitled to anything. It's all about self-sacrifice for bw, that's what many are taught give until it hurts, literally. Most don't even understand the concept of self-love or self-compassion definitely not self-interest. For many ppl this will be their lives, the hope is we can catch some of the young women early on.

R. Kamaria 854 pts

Sometimes denying yourself love is a comfort zone. I see my mom go through it all of the time. She had been left at the alter by my brother's dad. My dad up and moved when I was 7 and even before we were born, she had been sexually assaulted. So many black women don't love because it's safer for them not to. Crazy thing is, I had to really work hard NOT to be like my mom. The only people in my immediate family that have been married or in long-term relationships are the men in my family. My aunt, who died in 1998, is the only  one who was in a loving marriage. Thank God I was raised by her and her husband from 13-19. Knowing you deserve love isn't innate for some. Some people like me, have to be on purpose about it and break the cycle. 

FriendsofJay 1854 pts

 R. Kamaria This is a sad commentary of the BC, but you've broken through and made me realize the real problem.  Evia spoke to me often about "White Privilege."  At first I didn't believe there was such a thing.  But she showed me examples over and over that I couldn't deny.   The only way the BC can enter the larger American culture is to BECOME part of that larger culture.  We have to do away with the concept of black and white and think in terns of both being combined into the concept of "human."  As long as there is this separatist idea of a BC and a WC there will always be conflict and problems.   Unless this is done, the BC will be on life support.  We're very close. All that's needed is a little push.   It was my hope that Barack Obama would be that "push," but I underestimated the conservative ability to "just say no."   We've got to fight back and bring our communities together.  This can't be only a pipe dream.

GG123 371 pts

 R. Kamaria

 "sometimes denying yourself love is a comfort zone".  Think that is very true for me sadly. I so struggle with am I am not worthy issues.

mahogany 481 pts

 geneaj  R. Kamaria "I so struggle with am I am not worthy issues."

 

YES you are worthy. God didn't say "WW you are worthy. AW you are worthy. BW you are not". DBRs said that.  Please!

 

Yes you are worthy. If I may offer the following....If you are in an environment that tells you that you are not worthy, plz stack your chips and FLEE silently. Afterwards, (or even now) I would like to offer that counseling may be option. If counseling is not affordable (or even if it is) PLEASE keep reading BWE messages. There is lots of wisdom on these blogs.

ChristieRJohnson 1104 pts

 mahogany Every one should have a GTFO fund "Get the F Out" fund.  A little bit aside.  Even if you don't use it, it feels good that it's there

Ndreea 75 pts

 R. Kamaria the denying part is so true am happy though that my mother is learning this and making sure me and the sis know this everyday :)