By Ooooweee - are we entering into an uncomfortable topic? So many people get so edgy when it comes to speaking about race, let alone interracial relationships. It’s fact that different cultures experience immensely diverse ethical, moral and value foundations, which naturally influence their perceptions of things such as family, individual lifestyle and societal lifestyle. Some are bitter toward the topic, some enjoy it, some love the idea of mixing cultures and making new ones. So why not have a little dabble into it?
It still blows my mind to think that just 50 years ago interracial marriage in the United States was illegal. Now it’s legal and the only external factors that are influencing these marriages or relationships are the acceptance of the society in which the couple lives and of the family. As much as we don’t want to believe that families can actually display rejection, hostility, resistance and lack of acceptance for their own flesh and blood’s partner, it’s truth and reality, interracial relationship or not - and I’d say it’s the only real influence that holds great couples back from being greater.
“Some racial groups are more likely to intermarry than others. Of the 3.6 million adults who got married in 2013, 58% of Native Americans, 28% of Asians, 19% of blacks and 7% of whites have a spouse whose race was different from their own.” - Wikipedia
The majority of issues between interracial couples regarding the family include generational gaps in beliefs, ethics and morals...
- Grandma, this isn’t 1920 anymore -
For example, how the wedding will be held and what traditions will or will not be practiced at that time. Will the wedding be in a church or in a garden, depending on the bride and grooms traditions or practices? What types of decorations will be applied; i.e. chinese decor or african stylings? Either way, it’s safe to say majority of interracial relationships and marriages face obstacles that most same-race couples are not exposed to.
When we have two separate and completely different foundations of cultures operating alongside one another, disagreement and problems are bound to occur; and that’s okay. I think in the name of love everyone can come to a compromise on wedding cake selections or reception locations. You know why? Love knows no boundaries or race or color. It only knows love. How you overcome the obstacles presented to you is reflective of how much you love your person. Don't let anything or anyone stop you from being with the person you love.