Popular blogger, vlogger, and curator Yagazie Emezi recently posted this hilarious video decrying the existence of “Swirl” culture. In the video she goes on about her experience of having photos of her and her partner, who happens to be white, being tagged on “Swirling” social media accounts. She also talks about the types of fawning comments she received, including the grandmother of all “shit people say to interracial couples” remarks, “you guuuyys are going to have such beauutifull bayyybies.” Side note – her American accent had me rollin’.

Even though the love of my life isn’t white, he isn’t black either, so I’ve definitely been on the receiving end of these types of comments. I’ve also had friends in interracial relationships discover their photos have been reposted on various social media accounts dedicated to “Swirl” love. Part of me wants to roll my eyes at some of these “Swirl” spaces, but the other part of me wants to be empathetic. Black women aren’t always treated fairly in the love and relationship game, and “Swirling” is a way to remedy that – albeit a misguided one. “Swirling” spaces are a symptom of a larger problem, not the problem itself. And, the fact that these kinds of spaces have attracted such a large following is proof that they must appeal to their followers, personally, in some way. The followers and members of these spaces could have just as easily snatched up a copy of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man.

I have a feeling that those of use who are in interracial relationships, but also denounce “Swirl” culture have a fear of being pegged as desperate women on the hunt, with making pretty babies with good hair as our endgame. I also think “Swirl” spaces also might put some uncomfortable truths out there — namely, that relationships, preferences, and attraction are political.