Feb. 8--Two things about February have always stood out for me: Black History Month and Valentine's Day.

This year, the two come together in the form of "The Movies We Love: The Most Romantic Black Movies (Ever)," a film series compiled by Shawn Edwards, Fox 4 News film critic.

"When you think about black love and romance on the big screen, there is a serious void," Shawn says. "There always has been, and over time, I've noticed things are getting worse. Black love is hard to find on television, movies and even in music. Everything is geared to action, comedy, sports and hypersexual content.

"Some of it reflects what we pay for at the box office and who is writing the screenplays and producing the films, but there is also an image that black love is taboo."

This month also marks the 100th anniversary of black cinema -- a time when we recognize the likes of Dorothy Dandridge and Sidney Poitier. And when you look at 100 years of blacks on film, there aren't a lot of black romances.

To recognize the love stories that are there, Shawn teamed up with the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St., to present a movie every Saturday this month at 1:30 p.m. in the Stanley H. Durwood Film Vault. This weekend it kicks off with "Claudine."

Celebrating black film is nothing new for the 37-year-old film critic. For the last four years, he has compiled a list and documentary detailing the best black films, and this year his focus is romance. The documentary will premiere this summer.

"When I first started the documentaries, I wanted to do romance," Shawn says. "But I wasn't there yet in terms of experience and skill level, so I spent those first years practicing. But in the planning stages, black love was the first thing that jumped in my head. It's always been there, and I'm finally at a level where I can discuss this."

On Tuesday, he also will host a panel discussion called Black Love Stories in Film: Where Is the Romance? The conversation about the dynamic of black love on film begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Library.

Invited panelists include Ink columnist Damon Smith, radio personality Sean Tyler, local filmmaker Diallo Javonne French, actress Tasha Smith and me. We'll discuss how African-American relationships are portrayed on film.

"It's important to open up dialogue about this topic," Shawn says. "I've spoken to many people, and it's a question that constantly comes up: Where are the black love stories? Fifty romantic comedies can come out in a year, and you'll be lucky if even two of them feature black love."

He's right. Some of my favorite romances feature people I relate to but look nothing like -- "Garden State," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," "The Notebook," even funnier love stories such as "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist."

In the last decade, I can think of only three good black love stories: "Why Did I Get Married?" "Brown Sugar" and "Love & Basketball."

We're still waiting for something to come and steal our hearts, the way "Love Jones" did in the 1990s.

And sure, love is universal. It's easy for us to go to the movies and connect with Amanda Seyfried and Robert Pattinson. But black people can easily play star-crossed lovers. They can do heartbroken, happily married and goofy for the girl, too.

So Hollywood, we just want to know: Where is the love?

Jenee Osterheldt's column runs in FYI on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. To reach her, call 816-234-4380 or send e-mail to josterheldt@kcstar.com.

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