The Beginning of the End...

In my final post I would like to express what all I have gained and learned from this experience of developing my first personal blog. I was at first unsure of how exactly a blog could help you come up with a better argument, but as time progressed I realized just how much you learn from being able to say exactly what you want to say without the fear of being crucially criticized by everyone else. Also, the feedback and comments that I received on this blog was an eye opening experience and I would like to thank everyone who participated! From reading the comments alone I was able to better realize where I stood on the debate as well as gaining a better understanding of why certain people may have different feelings toward the subject of interracial relationships. Many times the human race tends to judge people by what side they root for without even trying to figure out their justification for their particular thoughts or feelings. I have also found out that being ignorant about the opposite side you are pulling for destroys any chance of you ever being able to win any kind of argument. Since we all have different opinions on bi-racial relationships and marriages, without causing an argument, I would like to pose a few last questions: What is so different about being close friends with a different race and being in a "relationship?" Why is it accepted to be friends with other races but unaccepted to be intimate with this individual? These are just a few questions to leave with...thanks again to everyone who has visited my blog, hopefully you have gained something from it!

The Rules of The Game

We all must first agree that there is several different races all having their own cultures and beliefs. Without the differences, whether looks or religions, their would be no argument over bi-racial relationships because we would all agree about the same things. Therefore, in a moment where equality is not plausible, the idea of interracial relationships causes a controversy. After all, if we were all equal and the same, no one would have even the slight opportunity to be racist. Since we live in a world where no one is by definition "equal" to each other this leaves room for people to disagree and even look down upon people who think or look differently than themselves. This is where the argument of different races being "together" becomes reality. Now you may be asking yourself who the whole argument depends on or effects; in other words, who are the players of the game? The answer to this question is simple: EVERYONE. Whether we as humans realize it or not, everyone effects someone in multiple ways. Even if someone is not involved in an interracial relationship, the way they act towards others who may be involved or even just people culturally diverse from themselves changes someone else's life. In saying this, I challenge everyone to learn to respect one another as well as their beliefs and culture. Wouldn't you want someone to do the same for you?

The History of Interracial Relationships

As I was skimming through a couple of scholar articles about bi-racial relationships and marriage, I noticed that research showed that bi-racial relationships have been around for about how long humans have been. It was even stated that during the slave days, the "masters" would sometimes have sexual relations with their own slaves, given, some of this was forced. There was one particular article that stood out to me the most entitled "From Miscegenation to Multiculturalism."It is stated in the article that at one time in history, 40 of the 50 states had laws refusing multicultural relationships. The experimenter's goal was to consider the dynamics that occur when individuals of different races attempt to develop intimate relations. Only the landmark Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court decision of 1967 brought an end to all such laws that were passed against miscegenation. Ever since then it is stated that the number of bi-racial couples have increased with every year. The most recent figures show that there are nearly 1 million interracial marriages and over half a million interracial children. Keep in mind that the numbers are still rapidly growing due to the younger generation's greater acceptance to such relationships.

My Bias and the Issue

Raised in a Christian home with parents of strict moral values, the issue of interracial relationships was never really discussed. Instead of talking about the issue I feel that my parents and church family simply ignored the topic in hopes of never having to directly deal with the situation. My Church that I am a member of is Southern Baptist, but not "hard core" Southern Baptist. I was never taught that bi-racial couple's were right, but on the other hand, it was never stated that these relationships were necessarily wrong either. My parents wanted me to make up my own mind of what I thought was "right" and "wrong" without other people telling me how to think.
The years of High School were the best years of my life and the time in my life where I feel like I learned the most. It was during this time that I watched some of my good friends become involved in interracial relationships. At first I was quite shocked, I'm not going to lie, but for some reason it didn't bother me as much as it bothered other people. It was pretty sad watching teens (especially girls) get shunned by their own "friends" because of their involvement with someone of a different culture. I have always had friends from several varying backgrounds, so I somewhat understood how a relationship could form between two people of different races.Having the chance to witness several biracial relationships, I have grown to accept interracial relationships and what they stand for.

Why people get involved in bi-racial relationships?

I have been thinking for a while about what my new post should be and I based it off of something I would love some feedback on. Since we know that interracial relationships are real and they do exist, the next question is why? Why do people place themselves in a situation that they know at times will be very challenging and even looked down upon by certain people? Is it because they truly love someone, or are they doing it to defy the "norm" of same race relationships. Also, if people know the response they will receive in participating in such a relationship, how can they complain about various treatment that they encounter during their relationship?
During a discussion with one of my friends the other day, the subject of "settling" (in terms of relationships) came about. We discussed the ins and outs of reasons why we felt people transfered over to interracial relationships were. In this conversation I realized that "settling" may play a big role in bi-racial relationships. For example, if someone wasn't having any luck in dating peers of the same cultural background, many would be tempted to try something new and different (aka. someone of a different race). Most people begin dating or attempting to date someone of their own race and continue unless no one is found, or if the relationship sours. So if it wasn't the "right" thing to do, why do the majority of people innately date people of the same skin color without being told to? Does this mean that dating outside of the culture is wrong since it is not the "norm?"

Websites Dealing with Interracial Relationships

• This website deals with all aspects of interracial dating. It includes the political as well as community beliefs along with discussing how "standards of beauty" may affect one's thought on the issue. Near the end, the site states the effects that some interracial dating has on the family while giving three personal experiences had by people involved in interracial dating or marriage.
  

The author of this article speaks about how children of mixed race might experience some hardships. He also explains why it is that children are far more judgemental than some adults and considers different ways to handle these kinds of situations. If you are wondering how children of interracial parents are treated differently, this is a great site to visit.

This is a research paper written by a college student dealing with bi-racial dating. In her paper she reflects on ethnic identity, barriers that exist in intermarrying, social changes, and the concept of hierarchy dealing with the retention of ethnic identity.

The writer, being in a interracial relationship herself, speaks mostly on the difficulties with the relationship and how she feels media plays a big role in people's discrimination toward multi-cultural relationships. In addition, she touches base on a few of the laws and bans dealing with interracial marriages.

Through a variety of opinions from people of all different cultures involved in interracial relationships, the writer pivots on the fact that the modern generation of teens foreshadows a new era of tolerance. Through several quotations and some statistics the author provides an interesting read while giving abundant information.

This website includes a poem entitled "The "Other" Love." This poem is a perfect reading choice for those involved in such love. In addition to the poem their are a few thoughts and reflections from the writer about the acceptance of interracial relationships.

A 17 year old girl tells both perspectives on interracial dating. She takes both sides of the issue and in a simple paragraph explains the ins and outs of mixed dating.

This website is one of the few that speaks out strongly against interracial relationships. It is actually a website for a particular church and the writer has very strong opinions.

If you are looking for the answer to the question: Does God approve of interracial relationships?, then this site has all you will need to answer that question. Through an in-depth study of the bible and certain verses, the site gives representation of God's feelings.

A minister speaks out about his feelings towards interracial relationships as well as demonstrating why he feels this way using the Bible as one of the main sources.

Through several researches, the author finds that interracial relationships are much more likely to happen when a person is of a young age (teen) rather than a grown adult. Several statistics on the popularity of bi-racial couples are discussed, along with who the interracial relationship involves.

A research study found that Hispanics are the most involved in interracial relationships as apposed to the assumed black and white people.

This includes how America and the people living in it think towards bi-racial relationships and the effects it may or may not have on society.

The author goes over the definition of interracial relationships and how their will always be different opinions. As well as defining the term well, she posts several questions that make you think because you don't have a definite answer.

The writer has several good points in this short blog. She talks about the divorce rate and how it pertains to everyone and not just interracial couple's like some people assume. She also touches base on when people say that bi-racial couple's date for the wrong reason and explains her opinion on the subject.

If your all about the media and how it deals with interracial relationships; this is the site for you. Several example's are given boost one's information on the subject.

This is another blog dealing with interracial relations, however, this is not merely telling you what goes on in an interracial relationship, it is someone's true story of their experiences while dating someone from another race. Also, it is helpful to read all the comments that others have posted viewing their opinions as wel

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  Mainly discussing black and white relations, the author talks about the reasons that some people choose to have bi-racial relationships. This Website also informs the reader of difficulties that come along with these forms of relationship.

This talks about a study that investigated the effects of race and sex on college students’ views of interracial relationships.

Is Love Colorblind??

Ever since I was little I have seen various relationships involving people from different ethnicity. I, personally have never had a problem with it, but I have noticed and witnessed the effects that come from these relationships. Families are sometimes separated along with longtime friendships diminishing all because of different opinions that people share. Certain Christians state that God did not intend for us to "mix" with other races, but interestingly enough I have found that their seems to be no where in the Bible where God states this outlook. He does tell Christians not to marry an "unbeliever" in Corinthians, but no where does he say not to marry someone from a different culture or race. I am a Christian, but I am not a racist. I believe that God created us ALL equal and while I have never been in a multi-cultural relationship, I do not hold anything against those who are or have been. When God says he made EVERYONE in his image, he does not mean just white people or only African Americans...he means EVERYONE. So how can any Christian be racist? Society has formed their own negative opinion against interracial relationships and their is no doubt that people involved in interracial relations go through quite a few more challenges in their relationships than most couples. The way I see it, everyone has a special someone for them... and if you are truly in love with someone, you shouldn't worry about other peoples' feelings on the relationship, but rather embrace the love you have found and as long as your both happy, run with it!