by Billy Sunshine

Created on: March 03, 2007   Last Updated: April 23, 2007

Are interracial relationships even an issue? Aren't there much bigger problems in the world to worry about than which two people choose to fall in love with each other? I mean aren't people dying all over the world from warfare and starvation everyday?

In addition, many people disagree with the idea of races altogether. 40 years ago, people were classified as either Caucusoid (White), Mongoloid (Asian), or Negroid (Black). Over the years people and groups have argued that they don't fit neatly into any of these three groups, and so now Hawaiians, Samoans, and Native Americans (as well as others) have their own racial classifications.

Following this line of thought, should the Africans I see on the Discovery channel who are tall and have skin as black as tar be considered the same race as Africans who are generally shorter and have brown skintones more similar to chocolate? I don't think so. I think their are either thousands of races, or their is only one: The Human Race.

People's dating habits shouldn't be an issue and it should be none of anybody's business, but sadly, some people can't help but to insert their opinions into other people's lives.

Love (arguably) the best thing you can have. It seems like a tragedy to me that someone could miss out on their true Soulmate because they prefer to date only within their race. Racism is alive but slowly dying in America, but prejudices linger.

One factor that people bring up is the question of how the possible interracial children will be treated. This is a valid concern; Of course you would want the best for your children. It seems that while outright racism is taboo, interacial children can sometimes be rejected by both of the cultures of their heritage. However, people should not base their decisions on the fear of the small-mindedness of others.

Another ugly indicator is the way that mixed race children are often grouped with their minority ancestry. Jimi Hendrix and Barack Obama come to mind as people referred to as "Black", when that is just one part of their background. This is reminiscent of the old attitude that "one drop" of African blood makes you "Black".

Actually, my Dad, before he passed away, was engaged to a wonderful and intelligent woman of black and white heritage. He had a couple so called "friends", who were not your typical racists, but who drew the line when it came to interracial relationships.

Do you know what my Dad did? He severed his relationships with those people, because Love does not see color, and anyone who would ask him to sacrifice his happiness for their opinion is not a friend, and doesn't know anything about Love.

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