Another Week, Another Meme.
This week on Al Gore’s internet has not been one to disappoint. Between flying preachers, Mississippi proving why it continues to come in last, and bitter exes Erica Mena and Bow Wow dragging each other across social media, it’s been hard to keep up. The latest addition to meme culture? Well, we’ve decided to revisit the old relationship adage, “Be his peace”. Most of them have been hilarious, completely abandoning the original intent of the quote and darkening the humor with inspiration from the best of scorned lovers in tv and film.“Be his peace. The last thing a man wants to come home to after fighting this world is round two with his woman.”
For those of you who managed to avoid hearing this, lemme help break it down. “Be his peace” means that one partner – typically the woman within a heteronormative relationship – should be the soft place to land for the men in their lives given the tremendous pressures of the world they face. To achieve this, you must suppress all difficult emotional challenges for the sake of his sanctuary. Don’t confront him about his bullshit that’s eating you up inside, but speak positively to him instead. You had a hard day at work? Leave it at the door so you can make room for him to whine about his oh-so-difficult existence at the top of the food chain. Yanno, be his peace. In the words of Churchy Olivia Pope Iyanla Vanzant, NOT ON MY WATCH! Listen in as I discuss the roots of “be his peace” and the impact of white supremacy, Black culture, and church on the expectations emotional labor within our intimate relationships.