How Black Parents Showed Love in the 1970s (They Never Said It) !

Your Black parents in the 1970s rarely said 'I love you.' Maybe never said it out loud. But you knew they loved you because they woke up at 5 AM to work jobs they hated so you could have what you needed. Because they cooked dinner every single night even when they were exhausted. Because they paid for things they couldn't afford so you wouldn't feel left out. Because they disciplined you strictly because the world would be harsher. Because they sacrificed their own comfort, their own dreams, their own desires so you could have opportunities they never had. Black parents from that era didn't express love through words or hugs or verbal affection—they expressed it through action, through provision, through protection, through preparation. This video examines ten specific ways Black parents showed love without saying 'I love you,' understanding each one as the profound expression of devotion it actually was. First, Black parents showed love by cooking hot meals every single day regardless of exhaustion—coming home from draining jobs and still going straight to the kitchen to prepare real meals from scratch for their families. Second, Black parents worked multiple jobs to provide, often hiding how hard they were working—fathers working day and night shifts, mothers taking on extra work while pretending they weren't exhausted. Third, Black parents demonstrated love through strict discipline that was protective rather than punitive—preparing children for a world that would punish Black mistakes more severely. Fourth, Black parents showed love by saying 'no' to things children wanted—making difficult spending decisions that prioritized needs over wants and family stability over immediate desires. Fifth, Black parents maintained impossibly high standards for behavior, appearance, and achievement—pushing children because they knew average wasn't enough for Black kids facing bias. Sixth, Black parents sacrificed their own comfort so children could have better—wearing the same clothes for years while buying new for children, going without to ensure children had what they needed. Seventh, Black parents taught life skills and expected contributions—preparing children through chores and responsibilities that built capability for independent adulthood. Eighth, Black parents protected children from harsh realities while preparing them for those realities—shielding from full extent of racism and financial struggle while teaching survival skills. Ninth, Black parents were physically present even when exhausted—showing up to events, being there for routines, prioritizing presence over rest. Tenth, Black parents maintained pride and dignity in family presentation—ensuring children always looked cared for through late-night ironing, proper grooming, maintained homes. These weren't about emotional coldness—they were about a different love language based on action rather than words, sacrifice rather than sentiment, preparation rather than comfort. Black parents came from generations that survived through action, demonstrated devotion through sacrifice, proved love through consistent provision and protection. Looking back as adults, Black people who grew up with parents who never said 'I love you' finally understand what they were feeling all along. The hot meal was love. The strict discipline was love. The high standards were love. The sacrifice was love. Understanding this love language creates healing, creates appreciation, creates recognition of sacrifice that went unacknowledged for decades.
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