Throughout the history of the United States we have instituted many laws which mandate racial segregation. As these laws have been repealed, our society has slowly allowed itself to explore interactions and negotiate new relationships across racial lines. Interracial marriage, perhaps the most significant measure of this acceptance, has been on the rise in the last half-century.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 310,000 interracial marriages recorded in 1970 compared to 2,669,558 today. This is an enormous increase, and yet it represents only 4.9% of total marriages. How do issues of race and culture affect attraction? Can romance be color-blind? Should it be?
Statistics show that the largest group of interracial marriages exists between white men and Asian-American women. Have stereotypical representations of submissive Asian women in popular culture and in the contemporary consciousness shaped white male desire? Huge disparities are still present in African-American and white intimate relationships. Has the legacy of African-American history continued to enforce an invisible segregation? How are the historical and political reconciled within intimate relationships?
In all racial communities, sub-groups advocate for people to marry within their community? Have the narratives of the justifications against intermarriage evolved? Is racial prejudice at the core of negative responses to interracial dating? Is cultural preservation a legitimate justification against intermariage?
Please join us for an in-depth exploration of the complex, personal, and political topic of interracial relationships.
Suggested Readings:
- Panel on interracial dating sees challenges
- Asian Women, Caucasian Men
- Black Men, Asian Women
- Left-Wing Anti-Miscegenism
- LOVE ISN’T ALWAYS (COLOR) BLIND
For more informaiton, please contact Kristin Millikan at 312.422.5580.