MY WORLD
Dating. Relationships. Reflections. Stories. Life through my lens.
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THE STORY BEHIND BGDW
Black Girl Dating World is more than a blog about my dating life.
It’s a platform for Black women, and the name represents a triple entendre that explores dating men, dating places(travel), and experiencing everyday life through my lens as a Black woman.
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MORE FROM MY WORLD
The Principles of Dating: Dating Etiquette 102
I believe each of these falls into what I’d like to define as core dating principles. They are: dating with integrity, dating responsibly, and dating with intention.
How to Date: Dating Etiquette 101
While I was taught to go into these situations with the assumption that I’m dealing with a properly, raised gentleman, I was also taught to bring my wallet and ask if he wants to split the check. Why? Well, one out of courtesy, but also two, the expectation is this young man knows better than to make me, a damsel in pursuit, pay for an evening he invited me to enjoy.
All About Therapy: Get Into It
I 1000% subscribe to seeing a therapist, so if you can afford it, I highly encourage you to go. But if you can’t, here are some other methods of improving your mental health that I find highly therapeutic.
Imagine Me
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." -Matthew 11:28-30
Love Your Life Not Theirs
“It’s possible for you to live the life you want and love that life without…” - Rachel Cruz
Worth: When In Doubt, A Playlist to Remind You
“There’s always something to suggest that you’ll never be who you wanted to be. Your choice is to take it or keep on moving.” - Phylicia Rashad
That Time My Classmate Described a Black Man as “Scary” Because of His…Hair.
When my Caucasian classmate described this man as “scary,” because his hair was wild and spirally, 21 year old me felt like it was my responsibility to wear my hair in its natural state…read more on spottieottieblackgirl.com
The Baddest: A Guide To Trina Songs When You Feel...
I went through a stage where I was truly a Trina STAN, and even now, I still love these songs.
For purposes of this post, I’ve included a number of Trina songs that have particularly given me the words, when I didn’t have them and an ally, when I needed someone who understands how it feels to go through it(whatever “it” is…there’s a song for it, trust).
Find Somebody to Love You
In the words of my 65-year-old neighbor, “Find someone who’s going to love you. And if he’s not black, let him love you anyway.” Read more on spottieottieblackgirl.com!
Ifeoma
He named me, Ifeoma. It was the Summer of 2018, and I was hanging out at Le Reve — a popular midtown bar that curated the vibes — with my best friend, who was visiting NYC for the weekend.We were standing by the bar, when this fella, who was clearly much older than me, but still young, started making conversation…
Spottie Talks Wakanda on the BeaverTalk Podcast
Remember that time I did a Podcast talking about Black Panther? Listen to it here!
Rainy Daze, Distressed Girl and a [Black] Man Who Cares
There I was, drenched in water, after walking out to a downpour of rain. I was holding onto a big box containing a package I had delivered to my job, my hook-handle umbrella, my cross-body gym bag and my purse, struggling to get from my office exit to the train. I was stressed.
Amara La Negra Visits Black@NYT
Amara La Negra speaks on the plight of Afro-Latinx during Black History Month at the Times.
Lost Traditions
"We as a people have lost our traditions," she said. "50 years ago, you would never hear that. We would be sending for people to come up and they would get here and we'd help [them] do what [they] wanted to do. You don't hardly hear of that anymore"
Lunch with a Hotep
I was walking down 125th st and Malcolm X blvd, eating munchkins with my headphones in(read: minding my business💅🏽), when some guy rode by me with his head out of the window(trying to get my attention). Obviously a savage, I should've known then, but after he parked and approached me with some dignity, I went against my better judgment and gave him a chance anyway.