Intolerance within certain racial groups inhibits progress, increases divorce rates
Figures released in February reveal that the number of interracial marriages in America has increased in recent years. The new percentage is just over 8 percent, a large jump from the previous 3 percent it was in 1980. In fact, 15 percent of new marriages in the year 2010 were interracial. Those involved with the report paint the picture that no major issues remain for interracial couples. While this news of an increase may sound like a cause for celebration, it is ignorant to conclude that these figures prove that race relations have significantly improved.
According to the study, mixed-race couples are 10 percent more likely to divorce or separate than same-race couples. When broken down to specific racial combinations, the values convey that there are generally different levels of success and acceptance between certain racial groups. Societal effects can have a hand in this because of the extra challenges that family members, friends and even strangers can produce by refusing to accept the idea of interracial couples. Only about 40 percent of Americans say that intermarriage has been a change for the better. The results of this report suggest that Americans are still skeptical about interracial couples. Typical arguments are that interracial marriages have the power to destroy one’s racial identity and that minorities need to preserve their cultures. However, race is merely a social construct. There is no reason why the individuals have to lose their cultural or racial identities by joining together in marriage. When two people of different races intermarry, they instead have the opportunity to share their culture with others, and better yet, can go even further and create new identities.
Others claim that interracial marriages should be avoided because it is unfair to their future children. This argument is weak and hypocritical because this nation historically expanded as a result of a mixed population, due to white colonizers intermingling with Native Americans and African American slaves. Mixed children present an even more valid reason why people should support interracial marriages — mixed children will only have as many problems as the outside world chooses to give them.
This does not mean that everyone needs to start hunting for a significant other for the sake of being interracial. But it does ask people to think twice before judging those who do not have a fear of stepping across racial boundaries. A small increase in interracial couples is great, but much remains to be addressed in regards to race. Interracial couples receive threatening looks and are often accused of “stealing” their partner from other members of their respective race.
There are still hate crimes against mixed-race couples and minorities in general. There are numerous setbacks and structural inequalities that minorities face day in and day out. Perhaps if people were more willing to give chances to other races, be it as friends or as romantic partners, their concerns for these groups would increase and substantial accomplishments would materialize.
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