To Be or Not To Be...Single?

First, Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married” gave people a comedic analysis of why they choose to marry. Now, author Nika C. Beamon gives a closer look as to why some people choose to remain single in her book, I Didn’t Work This Hard Just to Get Married: Single Black Women Speak Out.

“It didn’t take that long to do the research and writing,” Beamon explained. “It took two to three months for the research and interviews, and six months to write. After one year, the book was completed.” Beamon interviewed professional and successful black women from various walks of life, including actress and comedienne Kim Coles, and author Deborah Gregory. It also discusses their viewpoints on marriage, children, careers as well as the typical ups and downs of life.

“Most women I know or talk to are 35 years-old and complaining about not being married,” Beamon starts as she tells of the motivation behind her positively reviewed book. “I was watching an NBC special about single Black women and how they live their lives.” Beamon stressed that the purpose of the book is not to bash men in any way, or blame them as to why successful, black women are single. In fact, she would like to get their viewpoints on singlehood as well.

“This book doesn’t seek to blame men or anybody else. I find it encouraging because it tells women that they shouldn’t regret being single,” Beamon said. The book is filled with great information and statistics for women who feel like they need men to define them. This book gives a clear view at how society views black women and their obligations to their families, communities, and the like.

Beamon is currently working on a couple of non-fiction projects to accompany her debut. Her upcoming works include a book similar to the current one. It will chronicle why most Black men choose to remain single. She is also working on a book on African-American journalists that will explain how they are impacting the field, and how they represent [and are represented in] the media.

Beamon studied Communications and Sociology at Boston College. A writer/producer for WABC-TV Eyewitness News in New York, she also serves as a Coordinating Producer for “Like It Is with Gil Noble.” She has fifteen years of journalism experience under her belt and has written for various television stations, like ABC and ESPN. For more information on this book and the author, check out www.mcbeamon.com.

Published in Parle Magazine Volume 25; photo courtesy of www.singlewomenrule.com.