Is it really that weird? Is it really that difficult to fathom the idea of a white person and a black person dating? Ever since I was a little kid, racism, or bias against different races, never made any sense to me. When we would learn about history in elementary school, the primary focus of the lesson was typically about slavery. Then, as I got older, the lessons got more in depth, but my understanding of racial bias did not.
I could not understand the idea of racism when I was a young kid, I can not understand it now as I move into adulthood, and I will never be able to understand it. To me, there is really nothing to understand. People are people no matter what color they are so I just do not understand the people that think differently.
Being a part of an interracial couple has shown me that society has not moved forward since interracial couples were legally allowed to get married. That was in 1967. It's the 21st century and I still get looks every time my boyfriend and I are out. I can't tell if the looks are directed towards him for dating a white girl, or me for dating a black guy.
Then there are the things people say. All I hear are "Get Out" jokes, some people say that they're proud of my boyfriend for "getting a white girl," and then there are some people that just can not believe it when they see my boyfriend because most people assume "white girl, white boyfriend."
A lot of people that I know and that I am even friends with, make jokes about me dating a black guy and although they may be just jokes, they still sting a little. And I have tried my best to make it clear that some jokes and comments are not appreciated.
Why is me dating my boyfriend any different than if I were to date a white guy?
And then, of course, there's obvious awkwardness when you meet your significant other's family for the first time, it may even be awkward the second time, or maybe it's just awkward all the times you're around them, but the awkwardness is amplified when you are a part of an interracial couple. You can just feel the initial tension because no one wants to say the wrong thing.
I know I always think about my parents saying or doing something that is deemed "white," and I'm sure my boyfriend's family is the same way when I'm around. No one wants to say or do anything that will feed into the stereotypes tied to race and it should not have to be like that.
Either way, why does it matter? If I'm happy and he's happy I don't understand why anyone else should care?
Being with my boyfriend has taught me a lot, as would any relationship, but my relationship with him has opened my eyes. Emily in elementary school would have never believed that racial issues would still exist today, but it seems to just be a part of human nature to not be capable of accepting differences. I for one, am not okay with this stereotype based society that we live in.
Just like people say "love is love" in support of homosexual relationships, people should also say it in support of interracial couples as well. Having negative feelings towards interracial couples is the same thing as having an issue with people of different religions dating. It simply does not make sense.
Let go of the stereotypes, people! We're getting tired of the looks. No, my boyfriend and I are not the next "Get Out" movie and no you do not have to be proud of my boyfriend for "getting a white girl," I like him because I like him. There are too many wonderful people in the world to have to limit yourself on your own race, religion, sexuality, or ethnicity, so date who you want to date and marry who you want to marry because although sometimes it's hard to believe it, it's not 1967 anymore.
