Since 1970, there have been seven times as many married biracial couples. By 2050, minorities will make up the majority - a projected 53 percent - of our countries population (U.S. Census Bureau). The article I read in a magazine was titled "This is What Love Looks Like Now." The main focus of the article is interracial dating/marriage. They interviewed three different couples as they talked about their personal situations with being in an interracial relationship their experiences family, friends, and strangers.
There have been many high profile interracial celebrities couples (Seal and Heidi Klum), we now have a biracial president, and news articles talking about a Louisiana Justice of the Peace, who wouldn't marry an interracial couple because he had thought that their kids would have problems and their futures will be too difficult.
The first interracial couple they talked to was Colleen (a white woman) and Anthony (a black man). Anthony said that he had been in an interracial relationship when he was in high school, but back then race wasn't much of a concern but as he grew older he became more aware and cautious of his races and other people's reactions to race. Both Colleen and Anthony were nervous about telling their families, they had said that their immediate families told them to be careful but accepted the relationship and supported it. Once the families became comfortable, Anthony said that Colleen's dad started asking more questions like "is it appropriate to say African-American or Negro?" That was the first time race really came into the situation for them. They also become comfortable with each other by asking questions about the stereotypes of the other's culture. They said they have dealt with a lot of stares and comments from the public, and that they get annoyed with always having to defend themselves, but that's just some things they are forced put up with being together. And that love is all that matters.
The second couple interviewed was Claudia (Hispanic woman) and Jeff (Black man). They commented saying their relationship was a lot easier since they had both been minorities so they relate to each other and experiences. They both grew up in Washington D.C., a diverse town, so it seemed more accepted. They had really positive experiences, and they are open with each other about learning and asking questions about each other's cultures as well. This couple gets a lot of comments about how cute their kids will be, by older generations, they are happy that even when most of these people were raised in a time were interracial dating was just unheard of, they are positive toward them.
The last couple was Demetria (Black woman) and Joshua (white man). They said that interracial dating was never an issue for either of them. They had both experienced other family members who dated out of their race, which made it easier for them. Joshua was raised not to judge based on race. They tease each other about certain "white people" things and "black people" things that the other one does. The couple travels a lot, they said that's when they get the most stares, is when they are overseas, and they have noticed fewer comments about biracial people, and interracial couples since Obama was elected into office.
This article was mainly about experiences on these three different couples. I haven't come across a lot of discussion about interracial couples in the media and having them talk about their negative and positive experiences. This wasn't an article meant to point fingers at the wrongs and rights of discrimination, prejudice, or stereotyping, but just a look at the people who are living with these experiences. I thought it was encouraging that there is now a more positive look into topics that were once "taboo."
Do you guys think the world changing and becoming more accepting or less accepting? What is/isn't helping people change their attitudes about interracial dating? How would your parents/family feel about you being in an interracial relationship?
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