Halle Berry Marriage: Should More Black Women Follow Her Lead?

Newly engaged, the movie star places spotlight on dating outside of your race

At 45, Halle Berry is ready to tie the knot for the third time, according to People magazine. Her recent engagement to French actor Oliver Martinez has African-American blogs, websites buzzing about the actress’ decision to date outside her race.

A source told the publication that 46-year-old actor Oliver Martinez, best known for his seductive character in the 2002 film “Unfaithful,” gave Berry an emerald/diamond engagement ring. Photographers already  snapped photos of Berry wearing the ring on her left hand.

Berry had a daughter by her white ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry, which turned into a race war over the ethnicity of three-year-old Nalah, who the actress said was Black. Berry had two failed marriages with David Justice, a baseball player from 1993-1997, and singer Eric Benet, from 2001 to 2003.

Since the failed marriage to African-American singer Eric Benet in 2003, Berry has been quietly dubbed as the spokesperson for interracial relationships. Is the media shocked that a beautiful African-American woman would tangle with another race? 

We’re not really sure.

Last year the topic of black women dating outside of their race caused quite a stir. From Stanford professor Ralph Richard Bank' book "Is Marriage for White People?" to the Love Essence, a new online dating site just for men of all races who love black women.

But her engagement definitely has sparked more discussion about interracial relationships, and if black women should follow suit.

According to a Gallup/USA Today study in September last year, approval ratings for interracial marriage have skyrocketed. The surveyed found that 96% of blacks and 84% of whites approve of marriages between the two races.  Overall, 86% of Americans approve of a white/black relationship.