Here are a few “whys” I have collected over time. (This is all quite subjective, so don’t let the declarative nature of the following sentences tweak your big, bad, bent, beak.)
So…Why black and white?
–B&W is timeless.
–B&W places the emphasis on forms, tones, shapes, and textures.
–B&W emphasizes light and shadow.
–B&W is abstract fantasy–except it isn’t; it is reality–except it isn’t.
–B&W makes a more subtle statement–except when it is more dramatic.
–B&W is nostalgic–we grew up with it (well, some of us older farts, anyway).
–B&W reduces an image to the essential.
–B&W is classy and romantic.
–B&W makes you think; color often simply makes you react.
And while we are bad-mouthing color (all in good fun, of course!):
–Colors are too quotidian.
–Color takes away the mystery.
–Color is too distracting.
–Color is often merely decorative.
–Color distracts from the underlying truth–it muddies the message.
Finally: B&W is an attitude, dammit!
OK…OK…You could write a similar list of the advantages of color–so put that beak back in place!