You catch all that? The “him” Yeezy refers to is Kim’s soon-to-be-ex-husband (of 72 days) Kris Humphries of the New Jersey Nets, which is partially owned by Kanye’s mentor (and boss) Jay-Z.
Surprisingly, buzz of the Kanye-Kim pairing has become a massive story — this despite the news of two crazed white men in Tulsa, Oklahoma, killing three Black people and terrorizing countless citizens, and despite the fact that Kanye’s ex Amber Rose had already confirmed, back in January, that West and Kardashian were once an item (specifically, she said Kardashian was the cause of their breakup). This news wasn’t new, but celebrity sites spent the weekend covering West and Kardashian’s New York dates, on which they went to see the mega-hit The Hunger Games, hit the theater for a play, did some shopping in the city and lunched in Midtown. Even the Today show was curious, with co-host Ann Curry pressing the E! reality star about what was up with her and Kanye.
“I completely respect and understand that you have to ask these questions… Kanye and I have been friends for years,” Kardashian said. “You never know what the future may hold.”
A collective eye-roll is in order for this entire publicity stunt — because really, isn’t that what it is? Kanye drops a song about loving Kim Kardashian, then suddenly they’re inseparable and splashed all over blogs, newspapers and TV. But while some were smart enough to brush it off, others took this celebrity pairing personal, citing the fruition of Kanye’s “Gold Digger” lyric about one day leaving a Black woman’s “ass for a White girl.” (Side note: Do you know how many times I’ve been at a club — back in my clubbing days — and heard White women shout out that line with glee?) Kanye’s lust for Kim somehow became representative of all “successful” Black men and the Black women they forgot when they got on.
Um… no. Stop believing whatever hype that you’ve been told or sold. Though some media outlets may splash pictures of Black men and the non-Black women they love (we see you, Michael Jordan, Seal, and Tiger Woods), don’t let the actions of some celeb men, whose actions are over-publicized, fool you. Let’s drop some facts: Eighty-eight percent of all Black men who are married are married to Black women, according to a 2011 study by Howard University and Morehouse College. Among married Black men with a personal income of more than $100,000, 83 percent have a Black wife. Among Black men with college degrees, 85 percent have a Black wife. Among Black male professional athletes, 72.8% are married to Black women.
So if Kanye wants Kim, let him have her. His choice has nothing to do with your odds of finding a Black man to love, assuming that’s what you want. He has options, and so do you.
Demetria L. Lucas is the author of “A Belle in Brooklyn: The Go-to Girl for Advice on Living Your Best Single Life” (Atria), in stores now. Follow her on Twitter @abelleinbk