Veil and Vow: Marriage Matters in Contemporary African American Culture

by Aneeka Ayanna Henderson

In Veil and Vow, Aneeka Ayanna Henderson places familiar, often politicized questions about the crisis of African American marriage in conversation with a rich cultural archive that includes fiction by Terry McMillan and Sister Souljah, music by Anita Baker, and films such as The Best Man. Seeking to move beyond simple assessments of marriage as "good" or "bad" for African Americans, Henderson critically examines popular and influential late twentieth- and early twenty-first-century texts alongside legislation such as the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act and the Welfare Reform Act, which masked true sources of inequality with crisis-laden myths about African American family formation. Using an interdisciplinary approach to highlight the influence of law, politics, and culture on marriage representations and practices, Henderson reveals how their kinship veils and unveils the fiction in political policy as well as the complicated political stakes of fictional and cultural texts. Providing a new opportunity to grapple with old questions, including who can be a citizen, a "wife," and "marriageable," Veil and Vow makes clear just how deeply marriage still matters in African American culture.

Genres: Race, Relationships, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published February 10, 2020

Reviews

[Monica Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veil and Vow is a masterful work by author, Aneeka A. Henderson on the African American Family and the institution of marriage. In the book, Henderson draws on history, politics, and cultural texts to deconstruct the challenges associated with the African American family and matrimony. The author Aneeka A. Henderson does an excellent job of explaining the social pressures associated with marriage and the political policies that effect African American marriage and family as well as outlining the work that African American communities do to create different types of family formations.

An excellent work and highly recommended from anyone interested in the African American Family, Culture and Marriage.

[Nerissa Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veil and Vow is without question the intellectual property of Aneeka Henderson. Her voice and perspective come through clearly as she unpacks the complicated ways Black women’s sexuality, marriage, and media representation all intersect. One chapter that really stuck with me looks at how pop culture can disguise traditional gender roles as empowerment. It’s the kind of analysis that makes you rethink what you thought you knew. Henderson’s insight is sharp, and her authorship is undeniable. This is a must read.

[Todd Cranford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marriage is complicated. Family life is complicated. Prof. Henderson focuses our attention on why this is so and why the institution of marriage is not only relevant, but remains important. The Black family has and continues to endure assaults from without and within our community. Her wholistic approach to this important subject matter will cause you to reevaluate how society sees the Black family and how we see ourselves.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find this a very interesting read and there is a lot to digest (but in a good way). It's not new, but it is a reminder that those who are Black or African American have more stereotypes than other ethnicities and I find Henderson's literary studies and compilations to be educating and enlightening.

[Miles Jeffries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veil & Vow offers a fresh, insightful take on Black marriage in pop culture. Aneeka Henderson connects film, books, and politics in a way that’s both sharp and engaging. A must-read for anyone into culture, race, or relationships.

[Louis Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and deeply insightful. This book expanded my understanding of Black marriage in film, pop culture, and literature. The chapter on Marrying Black stood out to me with its smart and moving reflections.