Black Romance - Black People Love Paramore

Transcript

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Foreign.

B (0:19)

Welcome to Black People Love Paramore, a podcast not about the band Paramore, but about the common and uncommon interest of black people. In order to help us feel a little bit more seen. We talk pop culture over here. Fun stuff and on the occasion, a little bit of serious stuff too. But not today. Today we are talking about black romance, which is a fun, fuzzy stuff. Black romance and media specifically. So this is inspired by the current TV show on Netflix. By the time this episode comes out, it's probably going to be a little bit old, but we still love it. It's called Forever. It is a coming of age story based on a Judy Bloom novel and it is so fun and so cute. We'll get into it in a little bit. In the meantime, y' all know I have to teach you about the housekeeping. Please rate and review the podcast. Spotify, Apple, all that. Five star. Five star, naturally, of course. Also buy some merch. Always forget to tell you we have merch. We do have more merch than simply the Ariana Grande shirt. We have the five star shirt. We have straight branded Black people love Paramore shirts. And we have a Mocha Grande shirt. There's a lot of options. If you want to go take a look at the store, it'll be down in the description box below. Grab a little piece. It's different pieces, not only shirts. It got like handkerchiefs. What are those things called? Bandanas. Oh, my God, bandanas. If you guys can see Jewel's face, I'm being embarrassed. It has other things, you know. Just go and see about it and let me know how you like it and order something. Thank you. Because I love my bills paid. And then I think that's all the housekeeping that I had. And Julis, Julie's here today. That's the co host that we have today. We have Jewel. In case you're not watching. That's Jewel. She's right there. You. I know you heard the voice already. It's very distinct. It's very recognizable. You. You guys know that Jewel tried to tell us. By us, I mean me and Ryan and Minty Jewel hit the group chat talking about, oh my God, you guys, there's an epidemic of people losing their accents in the south. And I think that that's happening. We said, oh, well, I don't want to underestimate, undermine the fact that that likely is happening. I don't think that it is happening to you just based on the way that you. You do sound. So I wanted to, you know, alleviate you of that fear that you had.

A (2:43)

Yeah. Ryan literally said, I don't think it is. And then when I posted a screenshot on Instagram and called him a bully, he said, yes.

B (2:51)

And what about it?

A (2:54)

I was stunned. I'm trying to tell y' all about an epidemic going on in my community. And that's how y' all playing. It's all right. Go on.

Summary

Black People Love Paramore – "Black Romance"

Host: Sequoia Holmes with Jewel Wicker

Date: May 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights Black romance—especially its portrayal in media—from TV shows to novels, with a humorous yet heartfelt look at how Black love stories are rarely centered, how they’re depicted when they are, and why that visibility matters. The conversation is anchored by reactions to Netflix’s “Forever,” shoutouts to romance novels and favorite series, and honest reflections on what healthy (and messy) Black love looks like on screen. Sequoia and Jewel trade personal stories, critical takes, and lots of laughs about everything from teen drama fatigue to why “Insecure” was almost too real to watch.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking Down “Forever” (Netflix)

Initial Thoughts
- Sequoia binged “Forever” and admits it started slow:
  
  “It started off… I wasn’t in love with the writing up front, but I think that was just because they were having to do exposition.” (05:00)
- Jewel is not bothered by the writing, but shares her pet peeves with teen drama:
  
  “I don’t think I like teenagers, because the ping pong back and forth… Block them or don’t, unblock them or don’t.” (05:48)
- Both agree the show nails the seriousness and drama of teen love:
  
  “It feels like they’re going through a lot for a little first love… It feels serious when you in it.” (06:06)
Casting & Parental Roles
- Love seeing Wood Harris as a gentle, nurturing dad instead of a drug dealer:
  
  “To see him just be a successful, loving, supportive husband and dad. Yes, it really did.” (07:01)
- Touches on the authentic LA representation through places and food (especially the fictional and real-life restaurant "Linden"):
  
  “When we got to that part… me and Garrick stood up, screamed, it felt so good. We're like, wow, this is LA.” (09:14)
Generational Differences in Parenting
- The moms in “Forever” surprise the hosts with their nuanced reactions:
  
  “You think the parents are about to respond one way... instead, they respond a very different way—clearly more informed… I’m impressed.” (18:07)
- Jewel loves how the show avoids old-school trauma, showing Black parents supporting young love realistically:
  
  “I love not teaching especially young girls that doing the best you can or love is a valid excuse… you take that from parents… friends… romantic partners…” (22:03)
Teen vs. Adult Perspective
- The hosts reflect humorously on how they view teens differently now:
  
  “I love kids up until the age of, like, 10 or 11. At that point, I do have to send you back to your mama.” (10:03)
- Observations about changing norms (today's teens versus their own upbringing):
  
  “I think we had more fear in our hearts… It seemed like they could give some shits about getting in trouble.” (11:02)

2. The Value of Non-Traumatic Black First Love Stories

Sequoia appreciates the purity and joy of first love depicted in “Forever,” without heavy trauma:

“You relate to it… there’s no trauma within the first love portion of it.” (13:03)
Jewel, meanwhile, is still heartbroken by first love breakups:

“The whole point of romance is you’re supposed to stay together!” (15:42)
They debate the realism of breakups and long break-ups vs. clean splits; both share funny personal stories about lingering exes.

3. Complex Depictions of Black Families

Both praise the show for layered mother and grandparent relationships—something often missing in popular media.
Key moment: A grandfather calls out the notion that “doing your best” is enough parental effort, especially for fathers.

4. Romance Novels vs Visual Media

Despite being romance fans, both resist most romance novels for feeling “too flowery” and unrealistic:

“It feels like the characters in a romance novel are never real enough for me… the way they speak is too flowery.” (33:31, Sequoia)
They debate whether a romance novel needs to be “messy” or simply believable, sharing favorite authors like Kylie Reid for their character work.

5. Other Black Romance on Screen

Insecure
- Jewel found the series emotionally intense—sometimes too real:
  
  “Watching that relationship dissolve… it was just. It's a well written show is what it is… the characters really did feel like homegirls and homeboys.” (40:06)
- Sequoia celebrated the happy ending, especially Issa and Lawrence reuniting.
- Both call out Molly’s problematic choices in love and friendship, and how relatable (and frustrating) she could be.
Love Life Season 2 (HBO)
- Both hosts adore the character-driven focus, realistic love story, and the “risk” of casting William Jackson Harper (aka “Chidi” from The Good Place):
  
  “He wasn’t that stereotypical love interest… and I really feel like that paid off because he was such a good main character.”
- They discuss how infuriating it is when favorite shows with Black leads—especially when the romance gets “too urban, too ethnic”—are canceled:
  
  “Got a little too urban, a little too ethnic in here, and we would like to keep the festivities very… white. So we are going to cancel it, actually.” (04:51, Sequoia in mock “exec” voice)
Moonlight
- The tenderness of Black male love, acceptance, and the power of seeing unexpected types of parents on screen.
  
  “…a drug dealing black man being like, I know that you’re gay and it's okay… How can we help you?… I really, really love the tenderness…” (55:12, Jewel)

6. The Significance of Dark-Skinned Representation

Both note how “Forever” and other recent shows are centering dark-skinned Black leads, challenging the default casting of light-skinned or biracial characters as love interests or matriarchs:

“Two unambiguously black dark-skinned people came together and had two unambiguously black dark-skinned children. Loved it.” (52:08, Sequoia)
They critique the limiting assumptions of “revolutionary” interracial love in media written by and for non-Black people—and call for more honest (and simply joyful!) Black love stories.

7. Black Love in “This Is Us”

Shoutout to Beth and Randall as a rare example of healthy Black marriage on network TV:

“It wasn’t like it was a ton of Beth and Randall’s… Black couples who had like a healthy marriage, who communicated... It was really nice.” (60:56, Jewel)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On teen drama:
“I can’t stand this. But what I will say is my favorite thing so far… Wood Harris getting to be a dad. I loved it.” – Jewel, (06:47)
On emotional parents:
“You think the parents are about to respond one way… instead, they respond a very different way where they’ve been reading up on childhood trauma.” – Sequoia, (18:07)
On Black family perceptions:
“Best thing she did was leave that man and raise me alone.” – Jewel, (23:44)
On representation:
“The most revolutionary thing we can do for Black love stories is have two Black people love each other… We need to see Black people love each other.” – Sequoia, (53:32)
On “Insecure’s” realism:
“Watching that relationship dissolve… I can’t watch this. There is a train wreck ahead and I can’t watch.” – Jewel, (40:06)
On Book vs. TV Romances:
“I want the dream man to be believable. Don’t speak like that.” – Jewel (36:29)

Timestamps for Major Segments

[00:00–03:00] – Housekeeping; Intro to Black Romance, shoutouts to favorite novels and shows
[05:00–14:00] – Deep dive into “Forever”; teen drama, writing, and acting
[18:00–26:00] – Parenting styles, generational changes, family dynamics
[33:00–38:00] – Romance novels: what works and what’s exasperating
[38:00–45:00] – “Insecure” and the representation of realistic, sometimes uncomfortable relationships
[46:54–54:00] – “Love Life” Season 2, casting, subverting expectations of what Black romance looks like on screen
[54:36–56:20] – “Moonlight” as queer Black romance; tender parenting
[60:25–61:41] – “This Is Us” and Beth/Randall as Black love on network TV
[Throughout] – Candid asides, personal stories, critiques, and laugh-out-loud moments

Tone & Style

Conversational, witty, warm with signature tangents and banter.
Candid, sometimes irreverent, always deeply honest.

In Summary

Sequoia and Jewel’s conversation is a loving (and critical) celebration of Black romance both on screen and in life. They champion shows that take risks in casting, storytelling, and emotional honesty, and—crucially—feature Black people loving each other without needing trauma as the narrative engine. The hosts regularly call out the lack of these stories in media, joke about their own doomed first loves, and dream of more complex, joyful, dark-skinned love in books and on TV. Their bottom line: Black romance deserves to be seen.

Where to find the hosts:

Jewel: @jewelwickershow (all platforms)
Sequoia: @SEQUOIABHOLMES; SiriusXM Channel 109, 3-4 PM, “The Daily Dirty”

For more, see “Black People Love Paramore” on YouTube and across podcast platforms. To connect, email blackpeopleloveparamore@gmail.com or @BPLPPOD on social media.