Is Marriage for White People?: How the African American Marriage Decline Affects Everyone
"A brave and convincing argument...A triumphant work that demystifies the intersection between compatibility and color."--Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2011"...the findings presented in this slender book are provocative in the best sense: They explode much of the received wisdom concerning the socioeconomic woes of American blacks....There seems little doubt that Banks' book, whether it solves the problem it takes on, will ignite an acrimonious debate. But if that debate is as long-lasting and far-ranging as the problems Banks has exposed deserve, then his book will have done a great deal of good."--Sam Munson, The Daily, September 4, 2011"Peppered with interviews and candid opinions about marriage and relationships, this is a surprisingly intimate scholarly work; the sobering topic is tempered by the author's easy-to-read, captivating style."-- Publishers Weekly, June 27, 2011"This engaging and well-written book addresses a puzzling question: why middle-class black men and women are less likely to marry than middle-class Americans of other races. Banks' illuminating study is a must-read for those concerned about the decline in marriage among African Americans."--William Julius Wilson, Harvard University"Learned and unflinching, careful but provocative. Banks unabashedly explores the most volatile racial issues. Sure to provoke a fierce debate."--Randall Kennedy, Harvard Law School"Fascinating--and very brave! Banks surveys the brambly landscape of marriage prospects for accomplished African American women, bringing into view rarely seen prides, longings, prejudices and unexpected choices.  Banks' probing examination makes a gripping read."--Nancy F. Cott, author of Public Vows: A History of Marriage and the Nation“African-American  women are half as likely as white women to be married, and twice as  likely never to marry. Stanford law professor Ralph Richard Banks takes  on the black middle-class: women who are outpacing their male peers to a  degree more pronounced than in any other racial group. He hopes to open  the discourse, and maybe a few minds.”--Jessica Bennett, Newsweek,  September 1, 2011