Added: 10/30/2005 |
Interracial Date and Interracial MarriageIf you were to go back as few as twenty or thirty years in American history, you would find a time when an interracial date was cause for derision and even violence at the hands of other American citizens. Interracial marriages were actually illegal in many states. To go on an interracial date meant condemning your self to a lifetime of derogatory names and public persecutions. Even so few years ago, the races were seen as far too different to be allowed to mix. Thankfully, America has been becoming far more tolerant in the last few years. Recent Gallup poles have show that an interracial date and interracial marriages are no longer considered taboo by most American citizens.
Young men and women, only one or two generations removed from those Americans who hated and feared the idea of interracial relationships now seek out partners of other races. Most modern teens and young adults see no reason why and interracial date could be a problem. Many find it difficult to think about the way life was for interracial couples only a few decades ago.
Following the trend of the young American generation, interracial personal web sites are starting up all over the internet. Interracial personal sites are like any other dating or matchmaking site except that the users are of all different races and are open to relationships with others of different races. Here an interracial date is touted as a wonderful thing, an opportunity for a mixing of cultures, and a breaking down of hundreds of years' worth of barriers and racist notions. If an Asian woman falls in love with a Hispanic man, their love is celebrated. It is a sharp turnaround from the public persecution that would have taken place only a few decades ago.
Though the younger generations have come to accept and embrace the idea of interracial couples, some Americans, mostly of the older generations, are still made uncomfortable by interracial dating and marriage. They have a list of reasons why they disapprove of interracial relationships. Most of these are a product of growing up in a racist culture. The disapproval of older generations may not seem like something to worry about, since at least the younger generations are learning, but such disapproval can present unique challenges to an interracial couple. If, for instance, the mother or father of an African-American man who is dating a Caucasian woman is still threatened by the idea of interracial dating, he or she may make it difficult for the man to see his girlfriend. Racial comments may be made, in her presence or behind her back that make her feel unwelcome in the house or interacting with the family. This can put a strain on the relationship that would not otherwise have existed.
No matter your race, African-American, Caucasian, Hispanic, or Native American there is hope that very soon the mere idea of disapproving of interracial relationships will be a completely antiquated idea, remembered only to keep Americans from falling into such a trap of intolerance ever again.
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