So I have a secret. I am into, if not obsessed with, Fifty
Shades of Grey. Billed as the adult twilight by some, this trilogy is about the
unassuming college coed Ana Steele, who gets involved with mega rich bachelor
Christian Grey. At first Mr. Grey wants to introduce Ana to the world of BDSM
and have her as his submissive (a sexual partner who acquiesces to his demands
of punishment and pleasure at will). He soon falls in love with her, and that’s
where it gets interesting. Some people dismiss the book as erotica fiction, but
true fans know its about a love story. My question for you is, could such a
love story happen between a black man or a black woman in a book? What about in
real life?
In the books, Christian and Ana are forced to conquer inner
and outer demons together. There struggle is made easier by the fact that,
since nearly day 1, Christian is head over heels for Ana. He wants to be with
her and do everything for her. He only has eyes for her, and is not ashamed to
show it. When talking to some friends about the book (who were black females),
most said that they could not see both characters being black. Why not? Is it
the fact that Christian is P. Diddy rich that makes him seem rare for a black
man? Is it that Ana is so willing to submit to her man that makes her seem
unrealistic for a black woman? Is it the kinky sex that makes them both seem
nonblack? Is it that there is very little drama between the two partners (no
baby mamas, unemployment, no trust issues, or just the every day struggles of
racism) that makes it hard to believe they could be black?
In fiction and in real life, romance seems to come so much
quicker and easier for white girls. I know so many white girls under 26 who are
married, happily. I know far fewer black women in that predicament. Popular
images of love and relationships dictate our expectations. Maybe the fact that
we can’t believe in a black Christian and Ana is because we see so few examples
of this in music, movies and literature. There are 50 shades of grey, but far
fewer shades of black in popular culture.
So what do you think? Can you think of great (contemporary)
love stories between a black man and a black woman? Can you think of them in
media? Can you think of them in your own life? Do you think you will find your
Christian or your Ana? Does race have a part to play in the search for
love?
