America elected its first black president, so it is no doubt that strides have been made in the acceptance of our melting pot of a nation. However, why when some little, blonde, white girls bring home an African American man to their parents, the mother and father remain skeptical and very unaccepting? A black man is suitable to run our country but can’t date your daughter (our vice versa). It is hard to believe that in the year 2009 we as a nation still have a problem with accepting this.
The other day I found myself expanding my mind in watching The Steve Wilkos show. Granted that Steve Wilkos isn’t at the forefront of knowledge when it comes to most topics, however the title of this show Interracial relationships, so I figured I might learn something being that I’m in an interracial relationship. The show featured a couple different cases all having to do with a white woman dating a black man or a black woman dating a white man. I noticed a few things.The first thing I noticed was that every person on the show had southern drawls, both white and black. This wasn’t a surprise even though I know a lot of racially tolerant people from the South, there are still some a little sore about the civil war (even though that was like one hundred years ago!). Being that the South is called the “bible belt”, I figured people would be a little more tolerant but I was wrong.
The next thing was that when the case was a black woman dating a white man, the African American father would make the standard jokes about his daughter’s white boyfriend, as opposed to white fathers talking about their daughters black partner. The white fathers were much harsher with their words and showed a general hate for the young black men. The black fathers were just kind of just making fun of the white guys and didn’t really show any hate at all.
Finally, I noticed that both races were very proud to be the color they were. Not one of the parents on the show thought the partners their children chose for themselves were good enough for them. If America could actually drop their bias from old man to young toddler then we could be the most socially advance country on the planet.
I want to speak up, because your jewelry is loud you can't hear me. If you haven't already read it, Othello should definitely be further reading. Also, the 1965 film adaptation starring Laurence Olivier in blackface.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think your insight is exceptional. However, it was hard to take serious once I knew the basis of it was something the bodyguard from Jerry Springer said.
I think all the trouble stems from fear of the unknown. Everyone wants the best for their family, so when someone they love brings a person from a different culture home they are sceptical because they are unfamiliar with cultures outside of their own. But that isn't to rule out that many people are sceptics due to their own prejudices, everyone in the world is thoroughly affected by prejudice. This is something the world will always be faced with, I honestly don't think there will ever be a time where we live in a world free of prejudice and racism.
ReplyDeleteInterracial relationships can be a thing of beauty although they often times cause a downpour of hate and anger. It is wonderful to have two people who's love is color blind and they see no color only another person. It is unfortunate that often times their parents are not the same way. My question is how is it that children are often said to take on the traits of their parents and keep the values and morals they are taught by their parents and then when it comes to something like an interracial relationship and it seems like two extremes ideas colliding? Could it be that possibly its the children rebelling against the parents once their views are aired? Or is it the way society is evolving, and the culture that the kids live in now that is just more accepting? Either way, I agree with you sir that the sooner that we can drop this conflict, this bias, we will excel as a country even quicker than we have in the past.
ReplyDeleteI definately agree with Mychal and David. I dont think that there will be a time , ever, when there will not be racisim. All we can do is pray about it. I do think that if our generation keeps on like we are, where we see no color just personality and the true person. Then there is hope. I see nothing wrong with interracial relationships, but then again unfortunately it's a touchy subject with my parents. It really hurts me that they would never be ok with it, but if anyone knows me, you know that if my parents love me they will have to get over it. I will never judge on color, and i don't think anyone should. We are all equal whether we like it or not. :))
ReplyDeleteWhat a group of pessimists? Yikes. Don't believe the hype...
ReplyDeleteI think you brought up a very important and sensitive issue. Interracial marriage has made some strides since the civil rights period and with the election of a black president I believe it will continue to make greater advancement. I believe that Africans are truly becoming accepted as equals in society. I do not think my parents will have an issue if I were to bring some one of a different ethnic background into their homes since my family has its share in interracial marriages. I think it’s beautiful when people can see beyond color and other petty differences and judge a human being by his or qualities. Even though I think my family is quite accepting of interracial marriage, cannot say the same for all Caribbean families. There are those who still think that it is taboo to marry outside his or her racial group. I think a lot these negative thinking has a lot to do with the culture and traditions that have passed on from generation to generation without anyone actually challenging these practices. I wish that we all could put our differences aside and realize that we are all humans and are part of one race which is the human race.
ReplyDeleteI think you brought up a very important and sensitive issue. Interracial marriage has made some strides since the civil rights period and with the election of a black president I believe it will continue to make greater advancement. I believe that Africans are truly becoming accepted as equals in society. I do not think my parents will have an issue if I were to bring some one of a different ethnic background into their homes since my family has its share in interracial marriages. I think it’s beautiful when people can see beyond color and other petty differences and judge a human being by his or qualities. Even though I think my family is quite accepting of interracial marriage, cannot say the same for all Caribbean families. There are those who still think that it is taboo to marry outside his or her racial group. I think a lot these negative thinking has a lot to do with the culture and traditions that have passed on from generation to generation without anyone actually challenging these practices. I wish that we all could put our differences aside and realize that we are all humans and are part of one race which is the human race.
ReplyDelete