The Debate Over Interracial Couples

In May 2005 ‘Navigating Interracial Borders’ was published by Erica Chito Childs. The article offers a refined and understanding analysis of the social and political context of interracial relationships in America. Childs explores the world of interracial couples and examines the ways that group attitudes shape relationships. Using her own personal experiences, interviews, group responses, as well as media sources, she provides compelling evidence which verifies that disapproval still exists toward black/white unions. However it is merely being shown in a more subtle manor.

"Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay, and red, and he placed them on separate

The first black president, the world’s best golfer, or twins that we grew up watching; Barack Obama, Tiger Woods, Tia and Tamera Mowry, besides from being in the light of superstardom, they are each a child of a interracial marriage. In the 21st century there are approximately 1.6 million interracial relationships or interethnic marriages, with the marriages making up 3% (Troy, Lewis-Smith, & Laurenceau, 2006). Interracial relationships over generations have changed from the way society has viewed them. As early as the 1600’s legislation has been banning black and white interracial marriages, and this law has stayed in place until 1967, and Alabama being the last place to maintain the law until 2000 (Troy, Lewis-Smith, & Laurenceau, 2006).Years ago white women and black men were severely punished for engaging in sexual relations, however the white male power was not threatened by exploiting black women nor by a black woman having their baby (Childs, 2005). In contrast, a white woman who gave birth to a black man’s baby, would be considered polluting the purity of the white race; thereby including racial boundaries and the power of white man (Childs, 2005). Irony as times progressed in 1993, there were 246,000 black-white marriages an 163,000 of these were between black men and white women (Childs, 2005).

In each generation, it seems as if there is always a very controversial issue. It usually varies from the legalization of marijuana or the lowering of the drinking age all the way to the views on abortions. However, one thing is clear, the issue on interracial relationships is still as controversial today as it was nearly fifty years ago. While times may have changed and society has gotten used to these interracial relationships, it’s still something that is being talked about regularly. Starting in the 1960’s, the issue on interracial relationships became more relevant. It sparked much controversy after a couple from Virginia was arrested for participating in an interracial relationship. The case, Loving versus Virginia, was taken to the

that is only fair. Allowing people to marry the person they want to, free from judgement, is

twenty first century the white culture felt that if interracial relationships increased the white people would become minorities due to the mixtures of race, which was called "browning of America."

Over the years in America’s history there has been an increase in interracial relationship statistics. Passed research gives many reason for this increase but also gives reason for why the increase is at such a small percentage. In addition to that passed research studies individual’s views on the topics, which in turn assesses society’s perception on interracial dating and racial identity. Some studies such as Childs with Black women ignored the reasons for the perceived behavior of Black women compared to White women. In the current study the following questions will be explored: How does political conservatism influence individuals viewpoint on interracial relationships versus intraracial relationships? Does racial identity or an individual’s perception of another race correlate with their perception of interracial dating? Do interracial relationships cause unnecessary or more conflict than would be caused in an intraracial relationship? I hypothesize that political conservatism will negatively influence an individual’s viewpoint on interracial relationships versus intraracial relationships. I hypothesize that there is a correlation between racial identity and an individual’s perception of another race. I also hypothesize that interracial relationships do cause more conflict than intraracial

Before this historical time period, cultures and its respective human constituents lived in isolated bubbles, mating and reproducing only with each other. Thus, there was no need to address racial differences since essentially everybody appear the same. But, after these physical land barriers were bypassed, it was necessary to address the apparent physical and relevant differences that existed between the various countries and geographic locations. In doing so, the differences, as seen through the diversity of the people, needed to be understood and given meaning in order to distinguish and classify. Although this need to distinguish and classify may have a multitude of causes, I personally believe that the driving force was the human tendency to create divisions. Humans tend to create divisions on the basis of establishing power and dominance, in order to enact a social hierarchy. Humans in the past, and until present day, have always created hierarchical structures on the basis of some term that creates divisions amongst themselves (i.e.: race, gender, religion, sexuality). It just so happens that race (via skin tone, hair texture, etc.) is now the most prominent basis in which humans can outwardly categorize other human beings. This arises from the fact that human beings are so diverse in nature, and race is the easiest form in which to classify people via phenotypic attributes. Furthermore, humans continue to maintain an us versus them mentality. This most directly relates to one of the most fundamental basis of race-thinking which is essentially a power struggle. Given the current context of the world, diversity and human contact is nearly impossible to escape. Subsequently, humans submit to the desire of stratification in order to make sense of this apparent human diversity. As a result, race-thinking

People who date and socialize with people of different racial groups frequently experience negative reactions. Many of the disapproving messages come from people of their own racial group. They scoff and make fun of the idea that they are dating someone with a different tone of skin or ethnic background. According to a poll taken in

Immigration has boosted the number of interracial relationships by increasing the chances of meeting people from different culture and racial backgrounds.

Diversity in cultures throughout the world can often create obstacles when developing relationships. However, despite years of desegregation, social and cultural differences still exist. One of the differences that still exist is the institution of marriage. This is especially true when it comes to the topic of interracial marriages. Which has been described as a marriage between members of two different races. Even though, it has not been that long ago since interracial marriage has been made legal throughout the entire United States. It continues to be one of the biggest conflicts in society today, considering everyone has their different viewpoints on the topic. Since these types of marriages are considered to be an exception rather than a norm, many couples continue to encounter various issues.

Historically, interracial families’ were a taboo in the United States and many other countries. In the 1960’s, the civil rights movement caused the country to move

Over the years, interracial relationships and marriages have become more common. In fact, the United States Supreme Court legalized interracial marriages in 1967. New polls show that high numbers of whites are marrying the blacks. These marriages have become more popular among the recent generations. It is your granddaughter, ReAnna Reynolds, and I am writing this because it is an issue that affects me personally. You do not accept interracial relationships. That is troubling to me because my boyfriend of four years is a black man. You both should accept non-blacks marrying blacks because it is becoming more common, I am in a biracial relationship, and I long for your approval.

Lewis and Ford begin by pointing out the Civil Rights movement that began in the 1960’s which acted as a jumpstart to the more diverse institution that we now know today. The article conveys that although there is a significant difference between interracial marriage and interracial dating – there has been a tremendous increase in both in the past several decades. A study and chart done by the U.S Census Bureau in 2004 shows, that there was a 26% increase of White/Other marriages from the 1980’s to the 1990’s; where in the 1990’s to the 2000’s there was a significant 72% increase. The chart also shows a drop in interracial marriages where Black/White marriages from the 1980’s to the 1990’s was 38% to a smaller 31% from the 1990’s to the 2000’s. The chart seems to show a significant trend in dating habits over the last few years, which is something that I was not expecting to see.

In the multi cultural society that we live in today, relationships from all different cultures are welcomed. The mixing of races has been going on for hunherds of years and dates back to the unfortunate years of slavery. Where the mixing of white and black was a taboo, but still carried out by the white slave masters on their black maids/ slaves.