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The 10 best Black love stories that made a mark on TV and film

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Representation matters – and it’s about greater than just seeing faces like yours on screen. It might also involve seeing relationships that reflect your reality or the love you strive for. Black people finding love in books, movies, and television construct on this representation, showing the world the wonder and depth of black romance. Love is not all the time easy, though, and that does not imply there aren’t complexities in relationships. Here are 10 couples that capture the essence and nuances of black love on screen.

Monica and Quincy McCall – Love and Basketball (2000)

386893 38 : Actors Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps attend the sixteenth Annual IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards on March 24, 2001 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo: Getty Images)

produced the enduring basketball film Black with a love story that shaped the culture. Gina Prince-Bythewood’s film showed the story of two young individuals who struggled with ambition, passion and romance. Their chemistry and rivalry set a latest bar for Black romance on screen.

Sanaa Lathan plays Monica Wright, a talented basketball player who outshines even her beloved Omar Epps as Quincy McCall on the court. Quincy desires to play skilled basketball and is the son of an NBA player. This move creates tension between the characters resulting from this contrast and between their personalities and dreams on and off the court. It asks essential questions on how love changes over time and why sometimes it never goes away.

T’Challa and Nakia – Black Panther (2018)

Chadwick Boseman and Lupita Nyong’o attend a SiriusXM town hall with the forged of “Black Panther” in February 2018 (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

T’Challa and Nakia’s relationship brings a refreshing image of black love to the Marvel Universe – one that is robust, respectful and deeply connected. Despite their superhero status, these two talented young people can connect as a couple, revealing the complexity and depth of a partnership built on mutual respect, shared goals and unwavering support.

They have known one another for a while and are presented as equals in relation to superhero skills and independence – despite the fact that T’Challa is officially the prince. Although the romantic couple only appeared in a single movie due to The premature death of Chadwick Bosemanthe characters showed love and support for one another, despite the fact that they didn’t agree on every thing.

Cliff and Clair Huxtable – The Cosby Show (1984–1992)

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 10: Stevie Wonder (center) presents the Impact Award to the forged of “The Cosby Show” (L-R) Tempestt Bledsoe, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Bill Cosby, Raven-Symone and Sabrina LeBeauf onstage on the ninth Annual TV Land Awards on the Javits Center on April 10, 2011 in New York City. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

For a long time, Huxtables defined Black excellence on television, showcasing a power couple combining profession, family and culture. Cliff and Clair exemplified a dynamic, loving partnership that elevated the profile of Black family life.

Before the Nat Geo Channel miniseries conducted a survey where respondents selected the Huxtables because the family they’d most prefer to be adopted by, demonstrating their lasting influence.

Cliff is a successful doctor and Clair is a successful lawyer. They work as a team to administer and look after the house, raise the youngsters and face the challenges that come their way. The episodes depicted a fair and supportive relationship through which each people handled household chores and offered one another caring advice.

Issa and Lawrence – Insecure (2016-2021)

Issa Rae and Jay Ellis are pictured in season 4, episode 8 of Insecure.

Issa and Lawrence’s relationship on HBO was raw, real and reflected the complexities of recent Black love. Their ups and downs, filled with humor and heartache, showed that love is commonly a journey, not a straight line.

The long-time coupleplayed by Issa Rae and Jay Ellis, start the series together within the pilot before their plot becomes complicated when Issa looks like she wants something more from the connection. After a serious breakup, they each turn into a catalyst for changes in each of their lives. Ultimately, nevertheless, the couple overcomes quite a few challenges and becomes engaged at the tip of the series.

Slim and Queen – Queen and Slim (2019)

Lena Waithe
Queen and Slim (Warner Brothers)

Is greater than a romantic movie. It’s the story of two characters faced with desperate decisions after a unfair and racist argument that leads them to go on the run as fugitives. The fact that this all takes place after a clumsy Tinder date is one other thing the characters need to overcome and sets the stage for love, with actors Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith playing a young black couple working together under inconceivable circumstances.

The film doesn’t present a conventional love story, but as an alternative depicts a relationship built on shared trauma, fear and the specter of arrest in true “Bonnie and Clyde” style. In this fashion, it offers a portrait of a relationship sure by solidarity and resistance since it concerns an emotional bond. Kaluuya and Turner-Smith add depth to their roles, showing the characters’ gradual evolution from guarded individuals to a couple bonded by circumstances, desires and a common fight for survival. Ultimately, it presents a tragic love story that challenges the boundaries of what we expect from each romance and resistance in contemporary cinema.

Darius Lovehall and Nina Mosley – Love Jones (1997)

“Love Jones” at Grio
Nia Long and Larenz Tate in “Love Jones”. (New Line)

tells the story of poet Darius Lovehall and photographer Nina Mosley. Their relationship begins passionately, but each come to it with baggage. Nina still harbors potential feelings for her ex-boyfriend, and Darius is not sure if he desires to commit to Nina, despite the fact that he has strong feelings for her. This confusion in each characters results in separation and reconciliation.

What stands out is its realistic depiction of the ups and downs of a relationship, with cool black culture and 90’s style. Instead of showing a smooth path to love, the film shows Darius and Nina’s mistakes, moments of self-doubt, and ultimately their vulnerability as they take care of their feelings for one another. The soundtrack can also be memorable.

Lance and Mia Sullivan – The Best Man (1999)

“The Best Man” (1999) Universal

Lance and Mia aren’t the one important characters but they’re the couple that connects all the opposite characters with their love story. Played by Morris Chestnut and Monica Calhoun, their relationship represents an idealized version of love in a group of friends – a couple connected by faith, loyalty and a seemingly perfect relationship. As the film progresses, it becomes clear that their relationship has faced challenges, including past betrayals and secrets, however the strength of their bond is seen in how they take care of these trials.

This popular film began a series of other movies featuring various black couples and stories, and although Lance and Mia do not need a perfectly glad ending, they overcome heartbreak and the immaturity of youth to have lasting love until the tip.

Kenny and Maxine Chadway – Soul Food (1997)

LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 18: Actress Vivica A. Fox attends the fifth Annual I Have A Dream Foundation Dreamers Dinner at Skirball Cultural Center on March 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Leon Bennett/Getty Images)

This film launched a Showtime series in regards to the Joseph family. Kenny and Maxine’s story is significant since it touches upon your entire family and presents a difficult dynamic that many black relationships must overcome. Maxine, played by Vivica A. Fox, experiences tension together with her sister Teri, played by Vanessa Williams. Part of this tension comes from the very fact that Teri believes Maxine she stole her boyfriendwho’s now Maxine’s husband.

What makes Kenny and Maxine’s story particularly meaningful is that it represents the challenges many black couples face as they seek to balance their personal relationships with family dynamics. Maxine’s loyalty to her family sometimes causes friction in her marriage, nevertheless it also highlights the strength she and Kenny have in maintaining a loving partnership despite outside pressures.

Their love story also reflects broader themes in , where family, food, and tradition function sources of each conflict and connection. The couple’s journey through these challenges reflects the resilience required in lots of Black relationships, showing that love will not be only about romance, but in addition about working through difficulties together.

Michael Block and Mae Morton – Photo (2020)

Issa Rae (left), Lakeith Stanfield (Getty Images)

IN (2020)Michael Block and Mae Morton’s romance is refreshingly rooted in authenticity and emotional complexity. Played by LaKeith Stanfield and Issa Rae, respectively, their relationship will not be nearly easy attraction, but in addition about coping with the insecurities and vulnerabilities that include latest love.

Michael, a journalist, meets Mae, an art curator, while working on a story, and from the start their bond is undeniable. However, each characters struggle with personal uncertainty – Michael is unsure of his profession path and past relationships, while Mae deals with the emotional baggage left by her mother’s complicated life.

Instead of relying on traditional romantic tropes, it explores deeper themes of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the challenges of emotional opening. Through thoughtful conversations and intimate moments, Michael and Mae slowly discover one another’s wariness, revealing their fears and hopes in a way that feels natural and relatable. Centering on two people working through their fears to construct a meaningful relationship, it offers a realistic portrayal of up to date black love that feels each timeless and deeply personal.

James and Florida Evans – Good Times (1974-1979)

Before Cliff and Clair Huxtable, there was James and Florida Evans – probably the most iconic TV couples of the Nineteen Seventies (1974–1979) was the primary primetime sitcom depicting a black couple in a two-parent household against the backdrop of a Chicago housing project . James and Florida Evans were a working-class couple whose love and devotion to family were the important themes of the series.

James, played by John Amos, was a strict but loving father who often struggled to make ends meet, working multiple jobs to support his wife and three children. Florida, played by Esther Rolle, was the matriarch of the family – grounded in faith, wisdom and a deep sense of resilience. Together, they navigated the challenges of poverty, systemic racism, and on a regular basis struggles with grace, humor, and an unbreakable bond. Their relationship was characterised by mutual respect and a strong commitment to one another and to the survival of the family, which made them a groundbreaking portrayal of black love on television.

Why representing positive black couples matters on TV and film

Critics often indicate the paucity of black couples within the media, especially those portrayed in a positive light. Television and film often favor biracial couples over showing two black leads in romantic roles. Highlighting diverse Black relationships on screen not only strengthens representation, but in addition offers authentic role models for younger generations, showing that Black love is exclusive, strong and price celebrating.

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Vince McMahon’s legacy is also one of perpetuating racial stereotypes – Andscape

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Netflix documentary is a scathing six-part have a look at the life of Vince McMahon, co-founder and former president of World Wrestling Entertainment. The documentary examines McMahon’s greater than 40-12 months reign as probably the most powerful man in pro wrestling, including his long history of scandals from steroid trials down allegations of sex trafficking which effectively ended his profession. The documentary ends with questions on McMahon’s legacy, and while it’s hard for some to tell apart the character from Mr. McMahon, Vince’s genius and the person detailed within the assault allegations, an often missed part of McMahon’s story is someone who spent his entire profession perpetuating harmful racial stereotypes for mass consumption.

At WWE Survivor Series in 2005, McMahon himself wrote a script by which he was to go backstage and approach then champion John Cena. Cena, who is white, was in the method of transitioning from his rap gimmick to a more marketable GI Joe-style superhero. McMahon desired to proceed referencing the rapper’s gimmick, in order that they had the next exchange:

McMahon: What’s good in regards to the hood?

Price: I’m just holding it in and attempting to take care of business.

McMahon: Keep it up, my nigga.

McMahon then walked right past black wrestlers Booker T and Sharmell, who reacted in complete shock. But they didn’t retaliate. They never even noticed that moment again. It was unique comedy that gave the impression of an excuse for McMahon to say the N-word on pay-per-view. If you must see the video, you will have to go to YouTube has been scrubbed from the Survivor Series replay streaming on Peacock. By the time McMahon decided to air this sketch, he had already been liable for a long time of painful and insensitive moments involving non-white on-screen performances.

At its core, wrestling is all about exaggerating someone’s most simple characteristics and creating caricatures. For example, if someone is playing plumber, the character approaches the ring with a plunger. If the wrestler is a patriot, the character carries the flag into the ring. And if a wrestler comes from a marginalized community, that always becomes what that person is defined by. To this end, McMahon created some truly demeaning characters.

There was Saba Simba, a black man supposedly of African descent, who got here to the ring with a spear and danced wildly within the ring. There was a Black Tag Team duo called Cryme Tyme who robbed and cheated. There was Kamala, a Ugandan giant who is not of McMahon’s descent but was widely featured on WWE television as a savage cannibal. It was too “Mama” by Shelton Benjamin a mom-like figure who was attached to a black Olympic wrestler for no reason. And Virgil, the Millionaire’s mute servant who followed his orders. And the list could go on for days.

WWE co-founder Vince McMahon (center) with wrestlers and wrestling personalities.

Netflix

This doesn’t have in mind other communities which have been exploited similar to “Mexico” who rode into the ring on the back of a lawnmower; I do not think soJapanese wrestlers who had a castration plot for laughs; the Billy and Chuck “gay wedding”; and lots of offended ethnic groups and nationalities along the way in which.

Being a wrestling fan during much of McMahon’s reign was frustrating, considering that just about every popular black star he ever had were extremely talented wrestlers who had to beat offensive gimmicks and licks. The hottest black wrestlers of the last decade in the corporate, The New Day, achieved their level of fame only after finding a strategy to get past McMahon’s original idea of ​​being Baptist preachers. One member, Kofi Kingston, won the WWE Championship in 2019. This victory made him only the fourth Black WWE Champion in company history (Bobby Lashley and Big E have also won WWE Championships since then). With this match, Kingston became the primary black man to fight for the title in any respect in six years. Just a few months later, in January 2020, he lost the belt to Brock Lesnar in eight seconds in embarrassing fashion.

Race appears in one fleeting moment , courtesy of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who in 1998 became the primary WWE Champion “of color,” as he put it. Johnson talked about his conversations with McMahon about race.

“I’m the first WWE champion of color,” Johnson remembers talking to McMahon. “And (McMahon) says, ‘I do know, but I do not see color.’ Vince… at all times said, “I do not care what color you might be. You may be black, green and purple… so long as you earn money, you shall be a champion. What Johnson doesn’t need to convey is that what brings money to WWE depends largely on how they describe wrestlers and the way McMahon chooses to portray them on television. For every success story of a black wrestler, there are several other terrible stories about those that didn’t make it.

McMahon’s legacy is that of a person who was truly modern in entertainment and skilled wrestling. But now the headline is about terrible accusations of assault and sex trafficking that are synonymous along with his power and fame. To me, he has at all times been someone who contributed hundreds of hours of denigrating, racist stories and portrayals of marginalized groups on his airwaves. When discussing what McMahon means, it is unattainable to disregard the harm done by his stories. It should also reflect the greatness of every black, Latinx and queer artist who must overcome McMahon’s machinations to survive in his company, let alone find ways to thrive.

DavidDennis Jr. is a senior author at Andscape and the creator of the award-winning book “The Movement Made Us: A Father, a Son, and the Legacy of a Freedom Ride.” David is a graduate of Davidson College.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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Kanye West and Bianca Censori have reportedly split for weeks after the rapper’s poor hygiene allegedly drove a wedge between them

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It looks like the honeymoon phase of Kanye West and Bianca Censori’s romance is over. A surprising report published by TMZ claimed that the past two years have seen a “difficult period” amid speculation of a split.

Supposed sources claim that the Grammy-winning musician and Censori have not been seen together in weeks on account of marital tensions.

“Ye and Bianca told people around them that they broke up a few weeks ago, and architect Yeezy went to Australia after the breakup to spend time with his family,” they are saying he said.

Kanye West and his wife Bianca Censori are reportedly splitting up weeks after rumors about his poor hygiene. (Photo: Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

The Grammy winner is allegedly planning to maneuver to Tokyo permanently and file for divorce. West might be seen in the Japanese capital for weeks listening events for upcoming music.

Censori was recently photographed with West and his children, daughter North, 11, and Chicago, 6, and sons Saint, 8, and Psalm, 5, during a shopping trip to China in mid-September.

The outing sparked controversy on account of the 29-year-old’s nearly naked wardrobe, which included Carpi leggings and a T-shirt. Since then, West has been performing solo. Throughout the relationship, Censori’s outfit got on people’s nerves, including Kim Kardashian.

West, his current wife and ex-wife were reportedly in a contentious relationship as the billionaire businesswoman questioned Censori’s influence over their children. Kardashian was reportedly considering legal options as a technique to intervene.

“If Kim says something critical, they defend her, so she can’t even bring up the fact that Bianca is completely naked in front of them, even in public,” a supposed source told In Touch. “She’s been begging Kanye to do something about it, but he loves annoying her so she can’t get anywhere with him.”

Following news of the rapper’s breakup, fans are speculating that his alleged control over her wardrobe may have change into a point of contention.

An Instagram user joked: “Probably cold wearing NOTHING the whole time. She asked him for a blanket… he asked for a divorce. But another person suggested that: “She wanted the money and the lifestyle… she’s not a victim.”

A 3rd commented: “I hope she finds the help she needs to recover after all these years with him.”

Other he was joking“Maybe he’ll start actually wearing clothes and shoes.”

In response to previous reports of West banning his wife from social media, one commenter said, “She finally came to her senses and realized what a controlling man he is.” was!”

However, much more reports allude to Censori losing interest in her husband on account of his alleged poor hygiene.

“A close-up of her mouth – let alone her tongue – anywhere near his metal spikes makes her want to choke,” the alleged In Touch Weekly reported. The rapper can often be seen with a grill in his mouth when his face will not be covered by a mask. This person further claimed that she was “never known for having excellent hygiene. He doesn’t know any forensics about cleansing a grill, so most of the time his breath smells like cigarettes.

Censori and West privately tied the knot in December 2022. He and Kardashian finalized their divorce weeks after six years before his second trip down the aisle.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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LeBron and his son Bronny James made NBA history by playing together for the first time in a preseason game for the Lakers

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LeBron James, Bronny James, Los Angeles Lakers, theGrio.com

PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) – LeBron James grew up without a father, and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer has often said he savors every moment and milestone he gets to experience with his own three children.

When he stepped onto the court to play alongside his son Bronny for the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night, the moment was greater than just basketball history for him.

It was the achievement of a family dream.

LeBron and Bronny became the first father and son to play together in the first half of any NBA game Lakers preseason contest against Phoenix, playing side-by-side for just over 4 minutes in the second quarter.

“It’s pretty cool for both of us, especially our family,” LeBron said. “It’s definitely a moment I’ll never forget.”

The special moment in the James family’s life coincidentally occurred on Bronny’s twentieth birthday, and it gave the look of a celebration for LeBron, 39, who had talked about his desire to benefit from this chance since Bronny was in highschool.

Even though LeBron knows the Lakers will get more possibilities to play together in the upcoming season, the four-time NBA champion and 20-time All-Star seemed “not real” wearing the uniforms on the court for the first time.

“It means everything to a dad,” LeBron said. “For someone who didn’t have that growing up, to be able to have that influence on his children and to have that influence on his son, to be able to spend time with his son – and most importantly, to be able to work with his child” son – that is one in every of the biggest things, that a father can dream of or wish for.”

Bronny James entered the preseason game as a substitute to start out the second quarter, joining his father on the court at Acrisure Arena in the Coachella Valley. Bronny was informed by coach J.J. Redick before the game that he can be playing alongside LeBron, but the rookie maintained his usual cool demeanor each before and after the moment.

“I was really excited about it,” Bronny said.

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Although Bronny has been much less vocal about the situation than LeBron, he remains to be learning easy methods to cope with his father, who has repeatedly insisted that his son cannot call him “daddy” on the court.

“I always think, ‘That’s my dad!’ because he’s literally my dad,” Bronny said. “But after I play, he’s just my teammate. That’s all.”

Their minutes together weren’t as smooth as they were later in the season: Bronny committed two turnovers and LeBron committed one other in the first two minutes. Shortly after LeBron hit the three-pointer, LeBron passed the ball to Bronny and created a screen for his son, who was in a position to make the three-point shot, but Bronny missed.

“I was really hoping Wing 3 would come in,” Redick said with a smile. “That would be a cool moment. But I’m sure they will spend many moments together.”

Bronny got here on as a substitute 4:09 into the second quarter, and LeBron got here on 25 seconds later after one other dead ball. LeBron scored 19 points, five rebounds and 4 assists in 16 minutes of the first half, and he watched the Lakers’ second half from the bench alongside Anthony Davis.

Bronny played about nine minutes in the second half but didn’t rating in the Lakers’ 118-114 loss to the Suns.

“I just told him, ‘Get better,'” LeBron said. “He’s young. He desires to proceed to enhance and that is the most vital thing. So at any time when you get a moment, just keep making winning plays. Continue to learn from his mistakes and make winning plays.

LeBron James is entering his record-breaking twenty second NBA season, and LeBron James Jr. – known to everyone as Bronny – was chosen by the Lakers in the second round of the draft this summer. After recovering from cardiac arrest over a 12 months agoBronny only played one season in Southern California before entering the draft.

Redick promised that the connection would only happen “in-game” and wouldn’t be “gimmicky.”

“I’m excited to be a part of it, I really am,” Redick said. “It’s great that I’m a basketball fan. I believe it’s a testament to LeBron’s longevity, but additionally to his competitive stamina, that he’s still in a position to do that in 12 months 22. This is a testament to the work Bronny has put in to get up to now, and really the fatherly care and definitely the motherly care of Savannah as well. Bronny, he’s a great kid and a pleasure to be around.

The 6-foot-2 Bronny is anticipated to spend most of the upcoming season working on his game with the G League’s South Bay Lakers, but he’ll almost definitely have the ability to play alongside his 6-foot-8 father in an actual game early in the regular season.

The games that matter will begin on October 22 at home against Minnesota.

Even though LeBron will turn 40 in late December, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer shows no signs of slowing down with age. Last Friday, LeBron missed the Lakers’ first preseason game against Minnesota, resting from a full week of coaching camp following a busy summer. Bronny had two points he shot 1-for-6 and blocked three shots in 16 minutes of motion against the Timberwolves.

LeBron was early in his second NBA season with the Cleveland Cavaliers when he and his highschool sweetheart, Savannah Brinson, became parents for the first time in 2004. They had two more children – a son, Bryce, and a daughter, Zhuri.

LeBron and Bronny have been preparing to play together since LeBron returned from vacation after winning a gold medal with the U.S. team at the Paris Olympics.

Father and son have competed together multiple times during practices at the Lakers’ training complex, each as teammates and opponents.

During the regular season, they’ll join a short list of fathers and sons who’ve shared the playing field in skilled sports in North America. Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. they played together with the Seattle Mariners for parts of the 1990 and 1991 baseball seasons, while hockey great Gordie Howe played with sons Marty and Mark for the Houston Eros in the WHA and the New England/Hartford Whalers in the WHA and NHL.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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