Interracial Couples
By smithc3021
Over the weekend I read an article in Cosmopolitan magazine about interracial couples. [By Mina Azodi, Associate Editor.] In the article it mentioned a court case in which a judge refused to marry a couple because they were from different races and he thought things would be too difficult for their future children. This really struck a cord with me because my husband and I are from different races. When we first started dating I hadn't really put much thought into our race difference. But as time went on I would notice the stares. When my friends would make jokes concerning race, as innocent as they may have been, I took offense when I hadn't before. My husband's parents are interracial as well and so the it wasn't really an issue with his family. However, a majority of my family is from the South and while my immediate family had no problems with our relationship, my grandparents did. I'm not saying my family is racist, however, they do not believe that races should mix. Needless to say, there were many awkward and tense family get togethers before they realized their opinion wasn't making a difference in our relationship and they learned to get over it.
I can't imagine being told that I could not marry someone because of our races and for a reason like difficulty for their future children? Every child has to deal with something difficult growing up. I mean that's like saying you can't have a child because there are going to be bullies on his/her school bus. Ridiculous! The judge is just like my grandparents. He says that he is not a racist he just doesn't think that interracial marriages last and have more difficulty than same race marriages. But where do you draw the line? How would you define a racist? Just not liking someone because of their race? I think there are more than one definition and dimension to the race issues that still exist in our country today.
After reading about the [Bardwell] case in Louisiana, I wanted to know more of the statistics to see if this was common or just a random judge in one state. I found an article at msnbc from 2007 that had some good information. I think that it just depends on where you live that will determine how race will affect your relationship and life. But I do not think that it is a big enough issue that it should affect a couple's decisions within their relationship.
ADDENDUM: Mina Azodi's interesting article (and pictures) in February's Cosmopolitan 2010 highlights a contemporary phenomenon. Interracial love and sex (and public fascination with it) is all over. The article features three interracial couples. Joshua and Demetria Irvin (she's black; he's white). (2) Claudia and Jeff Haynes (he's black; she's white). And (3) Anthony Randall and Colleen Tobin (he's black; she's white). We get a glimpse of each couple in a human way, deeper than mere stereotype.Articles:
"Interracial Couple Refused Marriage License in Louisiana" Fox News
"This Is What Love Looks Like Now" Cosmopolitan Magazine February 2010
"After 40 years, Interracial Marriage Flourishing, Since Landmark 1967 Ruling, Unions Have Moved From Radical to Everyday" MSNBC News
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