Jumping the Broom---Interracial Marriage

Why would it be disrespectful? If you want to do it, do it!

I think its an all around wedding tradition. If you are really concerned maybe ask in-laws or something that might tell you if they have a problem with something like that. My family (I'm a black woman) does broom jumping at weddings, and my FH's family (He's white) does the broom jumping as well. I don't know too many people that still know older traditions and such for weddings. If FMIL doesn't mind ask your family, however it is your day. If you want to jump a broom, by all means, jump the broom.

I think it is a good way of honoring his background. I am trying to remember things from AP history a few years ago so forgive me if anything isn't 100% correct. It was done by slaves to show that they where settling into a married like life (they couldn't legally marry in many states) and where "sweeping away their old life" (or something like that). It was supposedly used in other cultures before the rise of slavery in the south but I can't tell you which anymore. As long as its done out of reverance to his heritage then I can't see why anyone would consider it disrespectful.

We are also inter-racial and we are also doing this tradition. I had found this reference as well. I plan on writing it up in our program so people understand what and why we are doing it. My minister hadn't heard of it, so we explained to him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_the_broom

this is the link we started with. I just haven't figured out how to decorate the broom :-)

Thanks everyone...I just like to get other people opinions..so that definitely helped!

I had thought about putting something in the program to explain what we were doing as well...otherwise some may not have a clue why we are doing it! Good luck to yall and your planning!!

We're doing it. My sister, who married a white man, did it. Here are some pictures of how to decorate the broom. And a really good link on the significance of the act AND the decoration of the broom (which you can by at Michaels for about $4).

http://www.celebrateintimateweddings.com/ceremonybroom.html

Glad you all are interested in embracing one anothers traditions and mores! It's important.

Edit: Sorry one of the pics came out yucky.

My fiance and I are interracial and we'll be jumping the broom. I don't think it's disrespectful in any way. I'm biracial and grew up in a predominantly white community. I chose to jump the broom because of what it symbolized and not because it's part of my culture/heritage. I say go for it, if that's what you want to do!

Jumping the broom definitely carries a unique significance in the African-American community. I think honoring your mother-in-law's request (if it's something you are comfortable with) would go a long way in terms of affirming your acceptance and embrace of your fiancee's history, culture, and family.

It is really up to you if that is what the two of you want to do or not.

Even though it's a tradition in my culture, we decided to not do it (mainly because I am clumpsy...lol). But it is really up to the two of you,

Me and my fiancé are doing it in our ceremony! I think it's okay as long as you and your fiancé want to do it. It's your wedding and you should do what you want.

My fiance is white and we are most certainly jumping the broom!! This broom was handcrafted by Snyder's Brooms: http://broomsanddusters.com/

My mom is decorating it and I will post some pics after it is decorated. She also has purchased a shadow box to put it in, along with some memorabilia from the wedding. I can't speak for all black people, but I don't think this is disrespectful at all! It's wonderful that this tradition is being honored!

My fiance and I will be jumping the broom as well. I think on the programs we might have a little "blurb" about the significance. But I am very excited and will be DIYing as well!

I think a general rule of thumb regarding cultural traditions is that if you are asked to take part in a ritual by someone from that culture (ie your future spouse or their family), it is perfectly acceptable to do so and is respecting/honoring their heritage. As someone else has noted regarding broom jumpings, this is a multicultural tradition. While it does seem to be primarily an African American tradition these days, there are cultures in Europe that were known to do them. For example, pagan Celts of Ireland were known to jump the broom prior to the Christianization of the country and the wedding ceremony. I'm Irish, so we did a broom jumping at our handfasting (an Irish ceremony held a year and a day before the wedding).

No it's not all around wedding tradition... black couples during slavery would does this to make their marriage official. So the fact that you as a black women is saying that it's a wedding tradition shows your not educated... Jumping the broom isn't a fun addition to your wedding ceremony (if your white). It is deeply rooted in African American history, and you should treat it as such.

Imani - You should have re- read you own comment before you spoke about someone being uneducated, there were a several grammatical errors in your comment. You don't have to have the same feelings about something, but you need to remain respectful in what you say to others.

My partner and I will be jumping the broom for our wedding in October. I'm black and he's white. It's not a tradition in my family to perform, so I see nothing wrong with adding it to ours. I say go for it!