She could inspire some Black women to reexamine a racial taboo that has shaped many of their private lives. As President Barack Obama's mere presence in the White House provoked discussions on biracial identity and Black marriage, Harris' marriage could lead more Black women to talk openly about this taboo, one scholar says. Why some Black women won't marry White menMany Black women have traditionally shunned White men for a variety of reasons. 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: CNN February 15, 2021 14:15 UTC