Interracial couples need acceptance

Interracial relationships have been around for centuries. Cleopatra, an Egyptian woman, had a well-documented relationship with Marc Antony, a Roman man.

But through centuries of interracial couples forming bonds, interracial relationships are looked down upon, when they should be accepted.

Disapproval of interracial relationships is not only found in blacks and whites.

There are traditionalists who oppose interracial relationships in every culture in this melting pot called America. In the Chinese Community Forum, a man talks about the contempt Chinese men hold for Chinese women who marry Caucasians. He explains that many Chinese men feel betrayed when Chinese women marry outside of their race, claiming that it "touches [their] deepest resentment" (Racerelations-.about.com/library-/weekly/).

According to the U.S. Census, in 1960 there were 157 confirmed interracial marriages. In 1980 the number of marriages was 997. By 1992 there were 1,161 interracial marriages in America. These numbers reflect marriages between blacks, whites, Asians, Pacific islanders and Native Americans.

As recently as 1967, marrying a person of another race was considered illegal in at least 16 states. The Loving v. Virginia court case overturned the laws, which made these marriages illegal.

Despite this decision, people of many races are angry at each other for marrying and dating outside of their races.

I asked a friend about her experience dating outside of her race. She's a white woman who is dating a black man.

She said, "I get uncomfortable when I am with my boyfriend in a predominately black setting. I feel black women are not approving of the apparent 'stealing' by me of one of their own. This was not my intention." This is truly unfair.

Many people in interracial relationships don't dislike their own race; they are simply dating who they like on the inside.

I, a black man, am married to a white woman. Often, I catch myself making excuses to people that "I love black women, and I dated more black women than white. I just happened to fall for a white woman."

I often feel as if blacks who see me with my wife think that

I "only dated white girls," and that's not the case at all. But then again, why do I feel I have to explain my personal choice?

The fact that after all this country has gone through racially, one would think people would be tired of finding reasons to hate.

Questioning another person's intent based on whom he or she dates is not only unnecessary, but it is wrong.

It was once said that people should be judged on their soul not their look; the same goes for those in interracial relationships. Instead of judging someone for dating outside of their race, be happy that they found someone to spend time with.

The acceptance of interracial relationships is not only important for race relations, it's important for love relations.

Erwin is a junior communication student. Contact him at emcintosh_iii@hotmail.com.