LOVE STORIES
“Malaika, nakupenda malaika” means “I love you, my angel.” in Swahili.
Miriam Makeba’s “Malaika” is a beautiful love song that shows that Black people are capable of tenderness, even in the midst of looking for liberation.
I am thinking of Miriam Makeba and Stokely Carmichael’s love story and the many ways that politics can become the basis of our love. Both were active in the global Black liberation movement and their matrimony of political love became a threat to the United States Government and Makeba’s visa was revoked in 1969.
Their love teaches us that liberation comes from loving each other. Who we partner with and build a family with is important in the continuation of Black people. To love each other - flaws and all - is the key to freedom.
Black love is revolutionary.