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Queen Justine Ndiba has been slaying this season of Love Island on CBS. It's refreshing to watch a Black woman win amidst a problematic verdict following the murder of Breonna Taylor and hip-hop star Meg the Stallion's shooting cycling in the news. Black women have seen our fair share of disrespectful comments and feelings of being unprotected within society.

I assumed this season would be just like all the rest — one where Black women are not valued, overlooked and unloved. Justine had a troubled start to the season from the first episode where she was the only woman not selected to couple up by one of the guys. She was in a circumstantial couple with Jeremiah, which didn't last long. As soon as Rachel walked in, his head turned in the amount of time it takes to make a bag of popcorn in the microwave. This recoupling put Justine in a vulnerable position yet again. She was selected to stay by her friend Tre with the reasoning of her being more likely to not turn on him later.

Then Justine made a bold move when Caleb entered the villa. Caleb said from the beginning that he was interested in Justine and Rachel. In the next couple up, Justine picked Tre and Rachael picked Caleb after things fizzled out with Jeremiah. Then, in a game where islanders could choose to kiss someone of their choice, Justine shocked the villa by picking Caleb over Tre. This decision was symbolic and iconic.

Black women have been conditioned to accept less. We are supposed to be "happy" or "grateful" for good enough or being picked by partners, even if it's not exactly what we want. But queen Justine did not settle. She knew her feelings weren't there for Tre and took a chance on who she wanted — Caleb.

Everyone watching the show and the islanders thought that Justine would go home after making a move to pursue Caleb while coupled up with Rachel. By this point on the island, Justine had been feeling less than in the house. Caleb uplifted her in his speech, saying that he thought the person would make him a better man. He guessed right, and Justine's luck had changed.

Almost every person who left the villa said in interviews on After the Island that Justine was their favorite person or they were rooting for #Jaleb. She made a best friend out of fellow islander Cely, giving each other the couple name Celine. Her family told her in video calls that she made them proud. Justine made Black women watch proudly. And, Justine said she found love for herself.

Following Casa Amor, Caleb picked Justine despite other women being interested in him. Over and over again, he uplifted her, supported her and cared for her out loud. And then on their helicopter date at the grand canyon, he said, "I love you." Not only were we watching #BlackLove develop in real-time, but we were watching a Black man declare his love for a Black woman, and she expressed it back. Incredible to watch.

Queen Justine made countless friends this season, gained a best friend, begun loving herself and feeling worthy, was affirmed by her family and found #BlackLove with #Jaleb. I stan watching a Black woman win in a society that continuously kicks us down. Whether she's voted to gain the cash in the final or not, Justine is the real winner of Love Island.

Marielle Martin

Writing since May 2019 · 2 stories contributed