Interracial Relationships
Interracial relationships have been a topic of controversy since the time of slavery, when slave owners had relations with young, black female slaves. As the years went on, white men felt themselves to be superior to Africans, and treated them as though they were lower in class. Interracial relationships were frowned upon by others and thought of as a sin. Those who were not interracially mixed believed that the couples that were racially or culturally mixed were a disgrace. Interracial relationships have been criticized for many years, times are changing and thoughts about miscegenation are now becoming less critical and more reasonable. The word miscegenation defined in the Webster’s Dictionary is a marriage or sexual relationships between a man and women of different races, especially in the United States between black and whites. The term is used frequently in substition for intermarriage and interracial relationships. In the years that slavery occurred, many laws and rules were set to keep interracial relationships form occurring. “In the United States restrictive legislation against miscegenation originated during the period of slavery… designed to protect the right of slavehol
*Bode, Janet, Different Worlds, New York: Franklin Watts, 1989 Teens in the new millennium now do not think of the differences of races because it is so common to come from a mixed race and culture background. They see everyone as equals though one might have a harder time in life, than others. “Virtually all teens (97%) say that they or other teens date interracially because they find the person attractive, and because they care about the person they are dating, not because it is an act of rebellion or to be different.” (Karen Peterson, The Detroit News, no page number). Today, teenagers see things differently than others did in previous years. Skin color differences are accepted and diversity is welcome. “Color is no big thing when it comes to being with the people you like.” (Kathlyn Gay, The Rainbow Effect: Interracial Families, page 86). These quotes show how positive teens are thinking today. They are supporting the idea of diversity and interracial relationships. Teens are thinking more about whom they love! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Nash, Renea, Being a Biracial/Biethnic Teen, New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 1995 Times are now changing and thoughts are different. “ Today interracial couples have the legal right to marry, and do not experience the harshness that couples felt before in the previous years.” (Paul Almonte and Theresa Desmond, Interracial Marriages, page 12) Now in the new millennium, interracial couples are not being segregated as before. Many people do not frown upon them, because now they are considered equal. Now when interracial relationships were viewed in public it is accepted. Americans now understand the freedom of choice that one has. It is more common to see an interracial relationship between two people, then it was before. Through commonality, interracial relationships are becoming accepted and considered reasonable. *Flunderburg, Lise, “I am what I say I am.” Time March 2, 2001: 82-83 ecoming
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1380
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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