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March 2004
Interracial dating on the rise
By Carolina Bermudez
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If you haven't noticed, interracial dating is something that has grown more and more over the years. In the United Sates, the numbers have doubled from 651,000 to 1.46 million from 1980 to 2000 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. You may see an African American date a Hispanic, Caucasian, or even an Asian dating a Jamaican.
Here at MCC, we have a student body with diverse backgrounds and more than likely you will see many couples that are of different backgrounds. Social Studies teacher, Mr. Backs and Science teacher Mrs. Backs are a great example.
Mr. and Mrs. Backs are from very different cultures. They have been working here at MCC for five years and in the 2001 school year they got married.
"When we walk in somewhere people look at us with question but they don't ask," said Mrs. Backs about their relationship.
That is one of the problems many different background couples face today. Although racism isn't much of an issue like it was back in the days, the public doesn't always seem to agree with interracial dating. In fact, the state of Florida and other states had banned interracial marriages until a 1968 U.S. Supreme court decision struck down those laws so now couples with different backgrounds are able to go out together without breaking the law. In fact, interracial marriages now account 1.5 million of the marriages in the United States. According to www.racerelations.about.com's website, these numbers will keep doubling with each decade that goes by.
Interracial couples face other problems besides the occasional stare they get in the public. They also face troubles within their relationship. Such problems cause couples to break up if they can't handle the situation.
An example is that Mr. and Mrs. Backs have different points of view from the different ways of how they were raised. Mr. Backs was raised in Ohio for most of his childhood and then came to Hollywood, Florida and Mrs. Backs was raised in Peru, two places totally apart from each other so obviously they are both going to have different customs. Arguments can start because of this "but you have to learn to deal with them because if not they can cause problems in your marriage," said Mrs. Backs.
Not everyone out there will support a decision to date outside of a race. But don't get put down by all of the obstacles a relationship of this sort could put in front of you. Overcome them with great power and happiness because all of the major obstacles have already been overcome for you.
So, for all of you young and flourishing interracial couple out here, Ms. Backs has this advice for you, "It is a wonderful experience to be married to someone of a different background." I think we both compliment each other and I advise whoever is dating someone from a different background; if they are serious, give it a chance and learn to agree when you disagree."
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Andrea Haber