Oral History Project; Acceptance of Interracial Relationships in Our Society

Interracial relationships are characterized as interbreeding, marriage, sexual relations, or cohabitation between people of different ethnic groups or races, particularly in historical contexts as a violation of the law (Twine & Smyth, 2011). There are many historical examples of interracial marriages that culminated in marriage against legal resistance. Richard and Mildred are one example of an interracial friendship that is often used by academics and historians. Richard and Mildred were sleeping in bed on July 11, 1958, when they were surrounded by three mounted police officers who broke into the room (Killian, 2015). All for the crime of getting married, the couple was hauled from their house and thrown into jail with Mildred being retained in the cells for several days since she was black (Killian, 2015). Killian (2015), claims that twenty-four states across the United States, at that time, had laws which strictly prohibited interracial relationships, particular marriage between persons of different ethnic groups or races.

The couple sought several extensive legal battles in conjunction with the then American Civil Liberties Union and at the long run in 1967 the month of July, the Supreme Court ruled that laws which prohibited interracial marriages were unconstitutional (Killian, 2015). In spite of such laws officially remaining on the books in a majority of the states, the landmark victory of the Loving’s rendered them effectively unenforceable with ensuring that not a single person would have to undergo a similar treatment. The last law which officially prohibited the interracial relationships, particularly marriage, was repealed in the year 2000 in Alabama (Killian, 2015).

This case shows the gravity and extent of which the interracial relationships were unacceptable in the society. However, this perception has changed over the years and interracial relationships being accepted and welcomed more and more as days go by. According to the census reports of the United States, the interracial marriages have more than today with reference to 1980 data (Lewis, 2016). More so, it is said that there exists more than 3 million interracial relationships and about 1.6 million interracial marriages in the United States today, with the figure growing day by day (Lewis, 2016).Furthermore, statistics show that more than forty percent of the Americans have dated someone of another ethnic group or race with more about seventy percent having no problem with interracial relationships (Lewis, 2016).

Introduction

A total number of two personalities were interviewed for this project. The first interviewees were a couple, Santiago, and Aiyana, who have been married for four years as of date. Santiago is a 29 years old male while Aiyana is a 27-year-old female. Both met at the University while they were pursuing their degrees. They ended up in a relationship which eventually led them to Marriage. This couple is related to the topic ‘Acceptance of Interracial Relationships in Our Society’ for the reasons that it is an interracial couple. Whereas Santiago is of Hispanic ethnic group or race, Aiyana is a Native American. The second interviewee is Anahid, a 23-year-old female of Caucasian ethnic group. Anahid has dated a Hispanic male but hesitant to get married and therefore she is of great interest in the topic of discussion.

Summary

Interracial couples are met with stiff opposition from the society, especially by the older generation (Poulsen & Killian, 2015). However, the younger generation does not have issues with an interracial relationship. In fact, a majority of them have dated a person from another race or ethnic group. Furthermore, experienced people in interracial relationships are affected by the view of the society regarding this relationships (Twine & Smyth, 2011). It is their hope that interracial relationships will be more acceptable in future. Young people are okay with interracial relationships and even more than willing to get into interracial marriages. However, family members play a major role in either discouraging them or encouraging them to and up in interracial marriages. However, an interracial relationship does not pose any problem to them. They engage in it normally.

Account of the Interview

The Interracial Couple

This interview took place on 26th may 2017 at ... Aiyana comment reveals that she does not see any difference between an interracial relationships with that of others.

Me: How has your relationship being like since you met Santiago, your love?

Aiyana: I mean, no difference at all, it has been a pretty good relationship just like any other. Sometimes I even forget that we are of a different race.

Santiago feels that interracial marriage and dating should be more acceptable.

Me: What do you feel about your relationship in the society today? Is it acceptable?

Santiago: Well, I have noticed over time that a good number of people, especially the old, have some trouble with interracial relationships. The younger generation do not have a problem with it, I mean I interact with my age mates, and I have never even had thoughts of being married to a different race. It is my hope that this will be acceptable with time and to those who are comfortable, go for it wholeheartedly, don’t even have second thoughts.

Anahid

Anahid has dated Mateo for six years, but she is hesitant to get married to him.

Me. Have you had a relationship with a male from another race or ethnic group?

Anahid: Of course year! In fact, it is the longest relationship I have ever been into. His name is Mateo, and we have been together for six years now.

Me: Wow! That is encouraging. Have you had any major issues with Mateo?

Anahid: No major issues, I mean he is so cool. We rarely argue, and he loves me so much.

Me: I envy you. Will you get married to him?

Anahid: I have never even thought of it. I cannot imagine the reaction of my family. My grandmother always tells me that Hispanic men have issues with women. She counts it like everything, abuse which is acceptable and very common. Women are subjected to do certain things. I have not seen that in Mateo though. My parents also discourage me a lot, they have always been very pro-native, and they want to preserve our culture claiming that Native American community is losing presence as days go by. I am just afraid of the confrontation if I would bring Mateo home. I can tell on what to expect from them.

Reflection

Interracial relationships should be accepted in our society today. Clinging into one race is an outdated phenomenon that should be done away with. Santiago and Aiyana are a happy couple despite being from different races. The only hindrance facing them is the feeling of unacceptance, particularly from the older people. The family also plays a big role in discouraging interracial relationships, and this is unacceptable. If young people had supportive families, a majority of them would end up in interracial marriages (Poulsen & Killian, 2015).

References

Killian, K. D. (2015). Reconstituting Racial Histories and Identities: The Narratives of Interracial Couples. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 27(1), 27-42.

Lewis, R. (2016). Status of Interracial Marriage in the United States: A Qualitative Analysis of Interracial Spouse Perceptions. International Journal of Social Science Studies, 2(1).

Poulsen, S., & Killian, K. D. (2015). Interracial couples, intimacy, and therapy: Crossing racial boundaries Interviews. New York, NY: Columbia University Press, 262 pp. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 41(1), 128-129.

Twine, F. W., & Smyth, M. (2011). Archives of Interracial Intimacies. A White Side of Black, 171-194.