Where Is the Love? An Analysis of Love’s Inherent Nature to Be Rebellious and Restorative

• In Event: The Last Brick Shall Be the Cornerstone: Re-Mattering Black Educational Lives After the Neoliberal Wrecking Ball

Abstract

Marvin Gaye may have said it best when melodiously proclaiming the following lyrics in his 1971 hit single, “What’s Going On”:

“Father, father,
We don't need to escalate.
You see, war is not the answer, For only love can conquer hate. You know we've got to find a way To bring some lovin’ here today.”

Over 50 years later, these words are still both very relevant and very practical. In our current and historical realities, white supremacist policies and practices have shaped our nation and continue to control our societal functions at every level. It is necessary to both deconstruct these hegemonic forces while forging a new future that is built on imagining better and freedom- dreaming (Love, 2019). It is love that makes this possible – being grounded in both justice and joy. Love works to eradicate racial injustice while laying the foundation for emancipatory and restorative practices where healing takes place. Love has a revolutionary role for those in oppressed positionalities, as a loving relationship is about emancipation (Matias, 2015)

There are plenty of existing instances that point to love as the force that tears down walls of injustice and hate. The author chose to focus primarily on Inkster, Michigan’s public school system closure, following a state takeover, to call out the antiblackness and lack of love that predicated the school system shutdown and demolition of school buildings, but also to situate the Inkster community as a site for change. They have what may prove to be a serendipitous opportunity to come together as a community, dream of the school district that they want and deserve; one that best fits their needs; one that is founded on love and uses love to ensure that the people of Inkster uphold their school board to a standard that reflects justice and joy, learning and liberation, antiracism and academic excellence.

For community restoration and educational dreaming, love must be the central and guiding force to lead the charge. Experiencing genuine love enables wounded spirits to be nurtured and enables survival in the face of loveless acts (hooks, 2000). Establishing a theoretical framework grounded predominantly in bell hooks’ writings, this paper also connects with works by Cheryl Matias, Bettina Love, Paulo Freire, and more, to analyze how the positive impact of love is evident and undeniable, particularly when it comes to improving race relations in educational spaces. By centering the work of noted scholars and researchers in the field, the author furthers the examination of love conceptually, urging that there be more conceptual credence afforded to love in the field.

This paper contributes more evidence to the field that love matters in a real way, extending beyond Hollywood depictions of romantic love, while simultaneously employing speculative fiction as a source of supporting evidence. This paper also reminds us that with more research we can firmly establish that the concept of love needs to be prioritized, analyzed, and utilized as an anchor for a better future both inside and outside of the classroom.

Author

• Antwuan Williams, Wayne State University