In 1986 I was about nine years old when Soul Man came out. Even at that young age, this movie taught me that my desires were different. Before Soul Man, I’d developed huge crushes on Michael Keaton, John Cusack, and especially Judd Nelson. I was so in love with Judd that I pretended he was my husband. I even changed my last name to Nelson. Now that’s some love for your behind right?
Still, being so young, I didn’t think about what my crushes on white men meant. I just knew I liked these guys’ movies and that was it. When Soul Man starring C. Thomas Howell and Rae Dawn Chong came out, the film blasted my desires into another universe. I fell in love with that movie the first time I saw it and if it hadn’t been for the interracial aspect, I wouldn’t have cared. For those not aware of Soul Man, it’s a cheesy 80’s film where C. Thomas Howell is a spoiled rich kid who pretends to be black to get into Harvard. His world and his thinking is transformed when he falls for the lovely black student played by Rae Dawn Chong.
Why does this film hold such a special place in my heart? Because it was the first interracial couple I’d ever seen. In the 80’s there weren’t many black women and white men movies so I was amazed with Soul Man and that’s when I knew I just liked white men. During my childhood, I thought I was weird because everyone I liked was white. It wasn’t until I got out of high school that I realized there was nothing wrong with me and that millions of people are attracted to men outside of their race. Now I’m not saying I am not attracted to black men, no. I had a crush on Mekhi Phifer for years! But, I’m VERY much attracted to white men and there is nothing wrong with that.
Soul Man is still my favorite movie in the world. It is silly and to some it might seem offensive, but I love it. I love it for more than just being a movie, but also for introducing me to who I really was. For showing me, the beauty of IR relationships and that color should not matter in love.
People always ask writers of interracial stories why we write them. Well I can’t speak for others, but it comes from my heart. It’s natural to me. It’s not a fad or a trend. I’ve always loved IR couples before they were in style. I would write about these romances even if they weren’t popular.
So there you have it. It probably seems strange how this silly little movie put things in perspective for me but it did. No other movie has touched me like Soul Man because it showed me who I was and that it was okay to be me. It was okay to like white men and be proud of that.
Do you. That’s what I’m gonna continue to do!
Check it out! I got two new releases this month!
Chasing the Devil (Book #2 in the Devil Series) coming from Amira Press June 20:
Tate Valley, California Detectives Alexis Adams and her partner Penelope Dao embark on the most bizarre murder case of their careers when rich boy Donovan McCoy is shot to death while trying to rape 18 year-old Rose Malone on the beach just blocks away from Alexis’ home.
The investigation quickly spirals out of control when Donovan’s father Benson vows to take matters into his own hands if Alexis and Penelope don’t deliver results. Soon the detectives find themselves in a web of confusion and lies, and they wonder if they’ll ever get to the truth.
Meanwhile, Kevin and Alexis’ relationship turns hotter and heavier, yet the closer they get, trust continues to be an issue. Kevin wants to give Alexis the world, but she has to trust him enough to give him her heart in return.
Kevin promises to stand by Alexis’ side with her plan to expose Grant Copeland. But, chasing the devil could be hazardous to her health.
Entangled (Book #4 in the Bruised Series) coming from Sugar and Spice Press June 21:
When local mystery author Grayson Paul’s ex-wife is murdered, Baltimore detectives Lisa Swanson and Dee Quarter are thrown into the most complicated case of their careers. When the officers first meet Grayson, Lisa is convinced he’s hiding something while Dee, who happens to be one of Grayson’s biggest fans, is immediately taken in by the older gentleman’s good looks and charm.
What starts off as innocent flirtation between Grayson and Dee turns into a steamy affair which leaves Dee torn between guilt for sleeping with a man she doesn’t love and her torturous infatuation for Detective Winston Lewis. Winston, who’s deeply in love with Lisa, refuses to accept Lisa’s decision to be with Jake Jenson. Meanwhile Jake’s jealousy of Winston becomes so out of hand that it threatens to destroy his relationship with Lisa forever.
Between forbidden attractions, self-destructive decisions, and determined suitors, Lisa and Dee manage to solve the case. Before it’s over they’ll both get a crucial lesson in life and love that they will never forget.
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Also, you can win a copy of Bruised!
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