Recently, MSNBC talk-show host Melissa Perry-Harris had the whole country in an uproar following her museful comment that maybe Mitt Romney’s Black grandson would grow up to marry rap singer Kanye West’s daughter North West. Mitt’s grandson Kieran, which means “black,” was prominently featured on the Romney 2013 family Christmas card, which never includes the entire Romney clan because they’re so large.  Many found Perry-Harris’ remark mean-spirited, insensitive to people who have adopted interracially,  or inappropriate because it involved children who are innocent of their parents’ political follies.

But, why can’t North West marry Mitt Romney’s Black grandson?  And why do people find it offensive for suggesting the union?

Isn’t North West good enough for Kieran? Are people suggesting that Black women aren’t appropriate mates for Black children adopted into white families, especially prominent families like the Romneys?  Have Americans become so “classist” – in addition to racist – that suggesting marriage between the two can only be seen as a political joke at best and just plain wrong at worst?

Over the last few years, much has been written about large numbers of Black women in the US never marrying and the fact many American men prefer to marry any woman but an African-American one.  Nightline and Oprah came out with their pieces a few years back. Just a few months ago, an article entitled Today’s Non-News: Man Won’t Date Black Women appeared on the Root. While interracial marriage among Black Women and non-Black men have increased in the States, it remains uncommon, prompting some African-American women partnered with white men to devote blogs to the issue such Beyond Black and White.

Melissa Harris-Perry was right for raising the issue. Maybe she was hinting only at the political aspects of the Romney Christmas card. But, her remark touched a nerve in those of us who find hypocrisy in the argument that there is nothing wrong with interracial adoption but there is something offensive to suggest that the “precious interracially adopted baby” may marry someone from his own background.

For all of you Baby Norths out there.  Remember you are precious, lovely, and deserve to marry the man who values and loves you the most – whoever his parents may be!

Keeping it sexy!

SuzyKnew!