She could inspire some Black women to reexamine a racial taboo that has shaped many of their private lives. Why some Black women won't marry White menMany Black women have traditionally shunned White men for a variety of reasons. She cites a 2009 study that showed that young Black women who are fair complexioned were twice as likely to have married by age 29 than darker-skinned Black women. Harris' marriage could unwittingly reinforce another racist assumption: White men are the best potential marriage partners, while Black men are among the worst. The attention paid to Harris' marriage could also distract people from addressing another huge issue: the precarious state of Black marriage, Stewart says.

Source: The Nation February 15, 2021 14:15 UTC