Post Valentine’s Day Thoughts

Valentine’s Day is celebrated on the 14th day of February each year. On Valentine’s Day this year, I saw a lot of Facebook status updates to include a line or two about personal philosophies on love—or song lyrics containing an idea about love to which the person who included it on his/her status may subscribe. I did not see, however, many people talking about the love people should have for themselves. As I see it, there are a number of people who are not even amateurs at loving themselves. How, then, can they love anyone else?

As I recognize and celebrate Black History, I cannot help but to extend the conversation to include race. I believe that race-esteem is connected to self-esteem. If a man consciously or subconsciously hate his race- that same man will consciously or subconsciously hate himself.

Do we, as a people, love ourselves? Do we, as a people, love our race? Listen to Malcolm X as he talks about loving/ hating ourselves. I think his words are still very relevant. What do you think?