A Black Girl Speaks — abuse

Have you ever been in a relationship with a narcissist? It's much worse than simply being with a jerk. Because a narcissist will turn your life upside down. IF you allow them to. Navigating these rocky dating streets is a whole different beast today. With the increase of social media, the fact that podcasts are popping up like daises. There are more men and women creating platforms for nothing more than narc fuel. What is fuel, you may ask? Well, let me give you the tea on how to survive dating a narcissist person.

• Inflated Sense of Ego

 Now there is nothing wrong with feeling confident and assured of one’s self. But when someone has an arrogant, pompous & entitled sense of self. Means they lack what most humans have. Which is empathy for others because they’re so concerned about their own life they could never be understanding of your personal needs. Thus, wouldn’t make for a good partner.

• Gaslighting

Gaslighting has to be the highest form of emotional abuse. Making someone doubt their own perception of reality has to be the most manipulative thing to endure. For ex, you tell your partner that you aren’t happy that they keep cancelling your date night plans at the last minute. Instead of being more understanding and correcting the issue. Your partner may say something like, “Here you go again, always complaining. It’s a wonder why I date you at all. You know that I have to work. Why can’t you be more understanding.” Guilting you into believing that the reason why you’re being treated like a non-priority is merely the fault of one person. Leads one to feel inadequate, non-worthiness and makes one try harder to win the approval of their partner. If they don’t catch this sooner rather than later.

The film starts off with Judith telling a story to a troubled married couple, who's marriage she is trying to save. As the wife begins to grow  unhappy with her marriage. Judith picks up on the cues that she has met someone and now is faced with mixed emotions as to stay in her marriage or to carry on her "almost-affair." 

As Judith's story begins, there is a dissolve to her or...her sister's early life. But we'll get back to that later. Judith played by (Jurnie Smollett, best known for her roles in Eve's Bayou, Lovecraft Country, Lou, and many others.) is an aspiring marriage counselor. She has an adoring yet often forgetful husband Bryce played by actor Lance Gross, who works as a pharmacists. On the surface it appears that they have a pretty decent life. Yet, while Judith works with a millionaire match maker agency which is owned by the amazing, Vanessa Williams who plays Janice Wise. Who for some reason often dotes a French accent. Judith isn't satisfied, "helping old people find a date," as she reluctantly says to her husband before she plumps on the bed. She desires to start her own practice to work for herself. But Bryce tells her to hold off on that for about 5-10 years!!! WHAT?!?