Interracial Dating
Tried isn't always true
By: IMANI JACKSON
Issue date: 11/12/09 Section: Features
Interracial love is taking the world by storm. Census data conveys that the prevalence of interracial marriage is increasing.
With the election of a biracial president, Barack Obama, many hoped that race would become irrelevant.
Unfortunately, this is not the case. As evidenced by former Louisiana justice Keith Bardwell's resignation from the bench after a national outcry against him, race isn't going anywhere.
Bardwell's choice not to marry an interracial couple in 2009 reminded Americans of the ugly little historical monster that is racism.
Knowledge of racism is particularly evident in minority-populated environments like Grambling State University.
Even so, students and community members aren't exceptions to the interracial phenomenon. Many Grambling State students have dated interracially, hope to do so and/or support such companionship.
These students understand that interracial relationships are still somewhat controversial.
"I always see many people making unacceptable comments on speculations about why Black people marry White people," said Grambling State student Nolukhanyo Ndlabhu of East London, South Africa.
We might sound off about it now, but we have not always had the legal choice to leave phenotypic lines.
The Supreme Court ruled that marriage between Whites and Non-Whites must be legal on June 12, 1967. The Loving vs. Virginia case made it possible.
That same year "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" hit the theatres. Decades later, numerous movies with interracial love interests have been made, including a remake of the 1967 film.
"Guess Who" starred Afro-Latina Zoe Saldana and Caucasian funnyman Ashton Kutcher.
In supremacist circles these unions still prompt contempt. In some ethnocentric circles, Black people have difficulty separating colonialism and oppression from today's colorful relationships.
Although cross-cultural experimentation is becoming commonplace, some hold fast to race pride and allegiance.
With the election of a biracial president, Barack Obama, many hoped that race would become irrelevant.
Unfortunately, this is not the case. As evidenced by former Louisiana justice Keith Bardwell's resignation from the bench after a national outcry against him, race isn't going anywhere.
Bardwell's choice not to marry an interracial couple in 2009 reminded Americans of the ugly little historical monster that is racism.
Knowledge of racism is particularly evident in minority-populated environments like Grambling State University.
Even so, students and community members aren't exceptions to the interracial phenomenon. Many Grambling State students have dated interracially, hope to do so and/or support such companionship.
These students understand that interracial relationships are still somewhat controversial.
"I always see many people making unacceptable comments on speculations about why Black people marry White people," said Grambling State student Nolukhanyo Ndlabhu of East London, South Africa.
We might sound off about it now, but we have not always had the legal choice to leave phenotypic lines.
The Supreme Court ruled that marriage between Whites and Non-Whites must be legal on June 12, 1967. The Loving vs. Virginia case made it possible.
That same year "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" hit the theatres. Decades later, numerous movies with interracial love interests have been made, including a remake of the 1967 film.
"Guess Who" starred Afro-Latina Zoe Saldana and Caucasian funnyman Ashton Kutcher.
In supremacist circles these unions still prompt contempt. In some ethnocentric circles, Black people have difficulty separating colonialism and oppression from today's colorful relationships.
Although cross-cultural experimentation is becoming commonplace, some hold fast to race pride and allegiance.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Dr. Avaine Strong
posted 11/13/09 @ 11:03 AM CST
Have you asked yourself... why the remake of Guess Who coming to Dinner featured a black female and a caucasian male? For that sake any TV program will more often than not match up a black female and a white male. (Continued…)
Talent In The Hood T
Deborah Gibson-Westbrook
posted 11/24/09 @ 2:00 AM CST
BLACK MEN...WOMEN WITH WHITE SKIN
By Deborah 'Sunshine' Gibson-Westbrook
Revised 20NOV2009 11:30 PM
Black Men...Women with White Skin...
Is this really for real, or just another passing trend?
In a room filled with Beautiful Black women. (Continued…)
reader
posted 12/03/09 @ 10:24 PM CST
Deborah, that' a very meaningful poem. thank you!
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