Tyra Harris 5th period "White mayor, black wife: Bill de Blasio and Chirlane McCray shatter an image in New York City"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/white-mayor-black-wife-bill-de-blasio-and-chirlane-mccray-shatter-an-image-in-new-york-city/2013/11/16/cf897462-4ed8-11e3-97f6-ed8e3053083b_story.html

Summary: For the first time in U.S. electoral history, the country will have a white politician in a major office with a black spouse. On November 5, Bill de Blasio won the major-elect position of New York City (effective in January of next year). He is white and his wife, Chirlane McCray, who has a significant role in his campaign by editing his speeches and interviewing candidates for staff positions, is black. The articles mentions the names of several black politicians who have white wives and white politicians with Latino/Asian wives, but notes of no other politicians, besides de Blasio, to have a black wife. It goes on to talk about the groundbreaking change in American views on interracial relationships by reporting of a poll that stated 87% of Americans approve of intermarriage, compared to 4% of Americans in 1958 who did not. It also explains how American history and culture has come to the political scene, including president Thomas Jefferson siring his slave Sally Hemings children and Senator Strom Thurmond rallying for segregation after fathering a child with a 16 year old black maid. Former senator and Secretary of Defense  William Cohen, who happens to be married to a black woman, is quoted saying that de Blasio's marriage has "shattered an image".

Breaking the American political family standards

Analysis: News stories like this boost my patriotism in my country. So often, the only popular national news reports are those dealing with a mass shooting or the latest congressional democrats v. republican arguments. This is such good tidings to me. The stereotype of the typical American political family is not stopping with the Obamas. I hope more politicians will put their ethics and values before their "public image". Blasio is unashamed of his family and I commend him.

-Tyra Harris, 5th period