Notes on Black Politics Vol 3: Love and Relationships

"War. War never changes" ~ From the Fallout Video Game Series

A couple of definitions are in order:

First let’s define politics: Politics is the act of deciding who gets what, when, where, how and ultimately WHY. War is a function of that, as what better (sic) better way to achieve this that a test of might or diplomacy? Indeed Chairman Fred Hampton Sr. once articulated that “War is nothing more than politics with bloodshed”.

So we have a working definition of “Politics”. Stay with me, this IS going somewhere.

Next up is Love. If we combine popular love terms, from the insipid and selfish notion of in love, to the Christian agape love then we can define love thusly: The lost of self in another. The great 80’s Pop singer Pat Benatar argued quite convincingly that “Love is a Battlefield”. So for the sake of this conversation we will say Love has a War component. We fight for it. People have killed over it, and truly you’re never the same if it’s done right or wrong. Sounds like love to me. Furthermore a question is begged: How does one lose themselves in another and not come up totally void, hurt, sad, etc. I would argue a measure of politics.

So now we have two working definitions. Now let’s work on the formula.

Politics=War and Love=Wars. Therefore it is safe to say Politics=Love.

More to the point, the concepts of relationships and the institutions they build are political systems. They function not off of some higher notion, but rather they function off of the simple truth of who gets what, when, where, how and ultimately why.

Think I’m being cynical? Look at your own situation. Is your relationship doing well? If so then you’re political process is on point. There is a give and take, there is diplomacy, there is dialogue, clear lines of demarcation, roles, expectations and if necessary all parties know the other will launch an all out assault.

What if your relationship isn’t doing well? Chances are you have no political capitol, or all of the capital and it has created an imbalance. Somebody is always giving or taking, never the flip. There is constant struggle, protracted battles, lots of distrust and bitter feelings.

When you remove the emotion, when you remove the “righteous” indignation and when you put down your holy books long enough to ponder this you will see I am right.

Relationships aren’t anything more than Political institutions. It rarely has anything to do with love. Sorry. It’s true. Oh it’s true.

So you’re probably saying to yourself “Terrance, excellent formula. You are a genius and truly the Prime Minister (Thank you), but how is this related to Black politics?"

Good question dear reader, good question.

I hereby submit that our personal love life is a microcosm of Black life specifically Black politics: totally grounded in what we want,not what we NEED and definitely not what is real and devoid of any logical thought process and accountability tools.

In layman’s terms our shit is not grounded in reality. Its ground somewhere but earth isn’t it.

Well not all of us. All would be impossible. But enough of us, let’s say 85% of Black Love.

Yeah I just said that. So stop shaking your heads. Your shit sucks. Hell mine did too.

I mean seriously let’s look at it this way: How many times have we elected or supported some fool just cause he can speak like us, get into a pulpit and whop and holla and quote John 3:16 and invoke Dr. King (or Harold Washington here in the chi)’s good name. Didn't our current gov? Do that?

Doesn’t that sound like our dating process? First mofo that says the right thing, talking like their smart, can put two words together and invoke whatever is suddenly “it”.

Need more proof?

Fellaz: How many times have we chased that sister we know is gonna cause us to have a stroke, just because she fine? Or got a nice ass, or ate the cherry sensual or whatever. Yet we know she’s dumb as a back of socks, knows she has the morals of an alley cat yet we still try.

Ladies: How many times have you held on to the notion he’ll get it right, pined over your baby daddy in hopes of some non realistic future, ignored the good one in your face and then declared men are garbage? Doesn’t that sound like our political process?


I just know as of today, I’d argue our collective love life, reflects our collective politics: Fucked.

And before some smart Obama negro (like myself) points out the whole Obama thing just remember he ain't served a full term yet.

And for you overly spiritual mofos that’s finna rant and rave bout negative energy, I’m laughing at you too. Because while you talking that shit, your man/woman aint called you back in two days. Get real.

Ok…political/relationship rant done.

Enjoy your day

Straight, No Chaser
12/18/08
8:23AM