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| Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith. Photo: Mr L. Davis |
It's impossible to live in Hollywood and avoid celebrity gossip like the Will Smith and Jada split rumors.
The Smiths have stood out as a triumph over divorce statistics - especially for African-Americans. We apparently have the worst rates of any racial group, according to an article, "Marriage is for White People."*
"This author is writing a story on the state of relationships between men and women," said a colleague who called to ask me to be interviewed for an Essence magazine article.
The subject matter made me skittish. Truth is journalists often make lousy partners. Constant deadline stress, long separations from home, traumatic experiences - our relationships pay the price.
The numbers are especially dismal for highly educated black women - we're the least likely of any group to marry.*
But I don't want statistics to keep my heart locked up. Just because we screw up marriage doesn't mean the plan is flawed any more than a car wreck means the engine design is defective. No matter how "hostile" - the Essence writer's description of male/female relationships - I believe the vows still matter.
Due to the magazine's lead time, the article won't come out for a few months. Maybe Will and Jada will be on the cover - celebrating another anniversary.
*Marriage is for White People, Joy Jones, The Washington Post
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