The month of April marks 45 years since The United States Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of Loving v. Virginia. This isn’t a landmark case that we are all familiar with, such as Roe v. Wade or Brown v. Board of Education. However, for me, the Loving case is partially responsible for the birth of my children and my upcoming marriage. Their decision, which ruled in favor of the Lovings’ (an interracial couple) and declared the state of Virginia’s anti-miscegenation law to be unconstitutional, opened the doors for people of different races to legally date, cohabitate and wed in the United States.
Fast forward to today and a recent article on msnbc.com that shows the far-reaching effects of the Loving decision. There are now 4.8 million marriages in the United States that classify themselves as interracial. In a few short months, my second marriage will place me in those numbers once again. More importantly though, is the fact that in the 2010 census more than 9 million people classified themselves as multiracial. My two children are among those growing numbers.
Despite these numbers, and the fact that our President is biracial, racism and discrimination still lives and thrives in the deep South of Arkansas. There are certainly many more interracial couples and biracial children now than 16 years ago, when my oldest son was born. Yet, there is still a distinct stigma that is attached to any person who dates/marries outside of their race and definitely towards children born of those unions.
Sometimes it’s hard for me to imagine that the Loving case, The Little Rock Nine (which happened right in my backyard), and so many other Civil Rights cases only occurred in the last 50 years. My parents can vividly remember Jim Crow laws that were prevalent in the South. If I lived during that era, without a doubt, my children would have never existed. I would not have been free to love the man of my choosing. It’s unfathomable to me that this was actually illegal in my country. My gratitude is endless for the people who fought for equality, especially couples like the Loving’s.
However, I must admit that for all of the racism that still exists, I see much progress in the acceptance of my children. They attend school in a district where Caucasian students are the majority. My oldest son, who is in the tenth grade, has dated girls of both races. This is a far cry from my tenth grade year, 1989, when there was no way that I could have publicly dated a boy of a different race. It’s nice to see my son be able to openly date whichever girl he chooses.
My hope is that, by the time that my children become parents, their own interracial marriages and biracial children will be more the norm than the exception.
How do you feel about interracial marriage? Is it socially frowned upon, or even illegal, in your country?
This is an original post to World Moms Blog by Margie Bryant of Arkansas, USA. She can be found on Twitter @TheHunnyB.
Photo credit to the author.
One of the worst aspects of the Apartheid laws in South Africa was that – when the law was passed in 1950 to separate people into 3 distinct groups – White (meaning Caucasian), Colored (meaning Asian or Interracial) and Black (meaning Native African) – families were literally split apart! Especially in the “Colored” community, it was quite possible for the mother to be classified “white”, the father “black” one child “colored” and the other “white” or “black” based only on the way they looked! The tragedy is that each “group” had to live in a designated area, which meant that children were separated from parents and spouses from each other! Totally horrifying. 🙁
The Apartheid Laws were repealed in 1991 (the year my son was born). I love that both my children were born in a Country where I can encourage them to be “color blind” and treat everyone the same, without fear of jail time! I love the fact that they had the opportunity to go to the same schools and that both of them have “Interracial” best friends! I can’t help but think how much poorer their life would be if they weren’t allowed to get to know and love people as people – without “lables”!
In 1994 – when Nelson Mandela was elected President, we saw an absolute “boom” of Interracial couples. It was as if (caucasian males especially) were keen to show the world that they were not racists by marrying a “native” girl! Gosh, I so hate having to use terms to indicate “color” – I’m always afraid of hurting someone’s feelings! 🙁
My children’s generation is freely choosing life partners without fear of discrimination. The New Constitution of South Africa (which took effect on 4 Feb. 1997) ensures everyone’s freedom of association and even the right for same sex couples to marry.
We’ve sure come a long way from 1950! 🙂
That is very interesting about South Africa; I had no idea that people were put into color groups. How sad and very scary. It just amazes me that people are so judgemental when it comes to race. I was raised in a family who had no problems with the N word. My father ac tually disowned me until my oldest son was born. I was never allowed to bring any boyfriend to their home. Only now that my fiance (who is the kindest, funniest man ever) is a “safe” black man, am I allowed to bring him over. Sad that peopole are so ignorant.
I agree, Margie, whatever happened to “don’t judge a book by its cover?” There is absolutely no excuse for prejudice in a society where the truth is freely available … if only you take the time to look for it!
One of the worst aspects of the Apartheid laws in South Africa was that – when the law was passed in 1950 to separate people into 3 distinct groups – White (meaning Caucasian), Colored (meaning Asian or Interracial) and Black (meaning Native African) – families were literally split apart! Especially in the “Colored” community, it was quite possible for the mother to be classified “white”, the father “black” one child “colored” and the other “white” or “black” based only on the way they looked! The tragedy is that each “group” had to live in a designated area, which meant that children were separated from parents and spouses from each other! Totally horrifying. 🙁
The Apartheid Laws were repealed in 1991 (the year my son was born). I love that both my children were born in a Country where I can encourage them to be “color blind” and treat everyone the same, without fear of jail time! I love the fact that they had the opportunity to go to the same schools and that both of them have “Interracial” best friends! I can’t help but think how much poorer their life would be if they weren’t allowed to get to know and love people as people – without “lables”!
In 1994 – when Nelson Mandela was elected President, we saw an absolute “boom” of Interracial couples. It was as if (caucasian males especially) were keen to show the world that they were not racists by marrying a “native” girl! Gosh, I so hate having to use terms to indicate “color” – I’m always afraid of hurting someone’s feelings! 🙁
My children’s generation is freely choosing life partners without fear of discrimination. The New Constitution of South Africa (which took effect on 4 Feb. 1997) ensures everyone’s freedom of association and even the right for same sex couples to marry.
We’ve sure come a long way from 1950! 🙂
That is very interesting about South Africa; I had no idea that people were put into color groups. How sad and very scary. It just amazes me that people are so judgemental when it comes to race. I was raised in a family who had no problems with the N word. My father ac tually disowned me until my oldest son was born. I was never allowed to bring any boyfriend to their home. Only now that my fiance (who is the kindest, funniest man ever) is a “safe” black man, am I allowed to bring him over. Sad that peopole are so ignorant.
I agree, Margie, whatever happened to “don’t judge a book by its cover?” There is absolutely no excuse for prejudice in a society where the truth is freely available … if only you take the time to look for it!
I’m in an interracial marriage. In Malaysia, we are a multicultural society so interracial relationships/ marriages are very common here, though much more now than say, 40-50 years ago.
I do think we are very lucky where we are, where we are not prejudiced against just because we choose someone of a different race.
I think in many areas of the US, it’s much more accepted. Being in the South there is still resentment slavery, poorly handled Reconstruction, the Civil Rights era, ect.
I’m in an interracial marriage. In Malaysia, we are a multicultural society so interracial relationships/ marriages are very common here, though much more now than say, 40-50 years ago.
I do think we are very lucky where we are, where we are not prejudiced against just because we choose someone of a different race.
I think in many areas of the US, it’s much more accepted. Being in the South there is still resentment slavery, poorly handled Reconstruction, the Civil Rights era, ect.
Margie,
It really puts perspective in how far we can come in only a short amount of time. It is mind-boggling to think that was only 45 years ago that inter racial marriages became legal in the US.
This is a really interesting topic, and I’m so glad about the experience that your sons are having — that they feel free to date whomever. Here’s to love!!
And congratulations on your engagement! I’m really happy for you!!
Jen 🙂
Isaiah amazes me because he is such a ladies man and seems to have no problem alternating races. Then, my soon to be step son who is 17 and African American, he alternates too. I am happy that I should a range of beautiful grandchildren someday!
Margie,
It really puts perspective in how far we can come in only a short amount of time. It is mind-boggling to think that was only 45 years ago that inter racial marriages became legal in the US.
This is a really interesting topic, and I’m so glad about the experience that your sons are having — that they feel free to date whomever. Here’s to love!!
And congratulations on your engagement! I’m really happy for you!!
Jen 🙂
Isaiah amazes me because he is such a ladies man and seems to have no problem alternating races. Then, my soon to be step son who is 17 and African American, he alternates too. I am happy that I should a range of beautiful grandchildren someday!
I’m in an interracial marriage and being in the foreign service, there are countless interracial marriages it seems to be more the norm for us socially. Great post!
Thank you! What exactly is the foreign service?
I’m in an interracial marriage and being in the foreign service, there are countless interracial marriages it seems to be more the norm for us socially. Great post!
Thank you! What exactly is the foreign service?
I agree with ll you said. It is sad that in the land of the free and the home of the brave we still face racial discrimination from all ends. My friend whom is Indian is dating a black man she is madly in love with and she knows her family will not accept it in the end. I hope everyone can be open minded and recognize that loves knows no color. Things are better and I hope in 10 more years it is more accepted.
Yes, that is really sad. I never thought part of my family would accept it either but my children melted most of their hearts.
I agree with ll you said. It is sad that in the land of the free and the home of the brave we still face racial discrimination from all ends. My friend whom is Indian is dating a black man she is madly in love with and she knows her family will not accept it in the end. I hope everyone can be open minded and recognize that loves knows no color. Things are better and I hope in 10 more years it is more accepted.
Yes, that is really sad. I never thought part of my family would accept it either but my children melted most of their hearts.
What a great post. I wonder what the differences are in urban versus rural and north verses south. Here in Minneapolis I live in the city yet have three biracial families on my block as well as a gay couple next door. I don’t think this would be so easy in the suburbs here but it does occur and is accepted. It is so hard to believe that these basic rights were denied not long ago. I hope the same rights can be extended to gay couples and families as well.
I live in Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas, so it is much more accepted than in a rural part of the state.
I would love to visit Arkansas someday. I’ve heard it is quite beautiful I thought your post was outstanding Margie! I am so glad that we have such a great group of writers on WMB! Looking forward to hearing more posts! maybe you’ll even write something on your wedding! 🙂 Take care! Nicole
What a great post. I wonder what the differences are in urban versus rural and north verses south. Here in Minneapolis I live in the city yet have three biracial families on my block as well as a gay couple next door. I don’t think this would be so easy in the suburbs here but it does occur and is accepted. It is so hard to believe that these basic rights were denied not long ago. I hope the same rights can be extended to gay couples and families as well.
I live in Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas, so it is much more accepted than in a rural part of the state.
I would love to visit Arkansas someday. I’ve heard it is quite beautiful I thought your post was outstanding Margie! I am so glad that we have such a great group of writers on WMB! Looking forward to hearing more posts! maybe you’ll even write something on your wedding! 🙂 Take care! Nicole
I know this is an older post, bust I was wondering if you could tell me how the racial climate is in Little Rock/Conway AR. I am African American and my husband is white. We have two bi-racial children, an 18 and 7 yr old. We currently reside in the Phoenix metro area, but my husband is wanting to move closer to his family down south. I am very apprehensive about the move down south. It’s very progressive here, so we don’t get any flack or stares that other couples might face in other states. Any suggests would be greatly appreciated.
I find this so encouraging being in an interracial relationship myself. I also live in Arkansas and actually found this because I was wondering if it was safe to travel to Eureka Springs together. I’m not taking the Harrison route. What are your thoughts on safety while traveling in the south as an interriacl couple in 2017? I may be paranoid but with my parents being racist, I’m always questioning if we’re putting ourselves at any risk. Hope to hear from you!