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I fell into the peer pressure of watching the Netflix series, Love Is Blind. And pretty quickly, I was hooked.

The show gives viewers a lot to chew on: the pairings, the underlying desperation and the personality profiles. Y’all, there really is something for everyone. The predictable plot twists, the enviable digs and the questionable fashions were great, but none of those really drew me in. If I can be candid, I was most captivated by Ms. Lauren Speed. And I promise, no spoilers here.

Yes, yes, she’s pretty, but what I appreciated most was that I found her to be so familiar. I caught myself wanting to befriend her, and that’s when I knew Netflix got it right. Finally, I saw myself depicted on reality TV.

Lauren Speed is a content creator in her early 30s. Like most millennials in the Atlanta area, she’s a transplant. Originally from Detroit, she came to the show to try something new. From the versatility in her hairstyles (sis went from extensions to natural hair on vacation), to her code-switching, to keeping it sassy and classy, and the bonnet on the first night, I wanted all parts.

Not only was Lauren captivating and completely reasonable with her wants in a partner, she was also fashionable and witty. She brought up the very real question we all have when considering interracial dating: “What will my people think?” And she assured us that it’s possible to be in a mixed-race relationship and still have immense love for your own culture and heritage.

Seeing a Black woman in such positive and significant representation was more than refreshing. We are fun, light, spunky, cultured, layered, comfortable, soft, educated, bubbly and so much more. Every new interaction with Lauren felt like another win for the culture.

As Black History Month ends and Women’s History Month is approaching, this made me feel seen, validated, accepted and celebrated. Don’t get me wrong, the show wasn’t perfect. Lots of things could be different if they do another season, but it’s a great start in a productive direction to normalizing the Black female experience in this country.

Alesha Chanel

Writing since February 2022 · 1 story contributed