According to new data released by the Pew Research Center 15 percent of all new marriages in the United States in 2010 were of mixed race or ethnicity. That is double the amount in 1980. Among all newlyweds in
2010, the study found that 9 percent of Whites, 17 percent of Blacks, 26
percent of Latinos, and 28 percent of Asians living in the United
States married outside their race. It
also found that Asian and White newlyweds between the years of 2008 to
2010 have significantly higher annual incomes than any other pairing. In
addition, White male newlyweds who had an Asian, Hispanic, or Black
spouse had higher combined earnings than White newlyweds whose spouse
was White. Finally, the study found that interracial marriages appeared
to be more prevalent in the west with one in five newlyweds living in
western states marrying someone of a different race between 2008 to
2010. With interracial marriages, the U.S. population has seen a significant growth in it's Biracial community. Who are they? What do they believe? How do they self-identify? How do they fit into the racial fabric of America? These are only a few questions among the many that I posed to a Biracial colleague. She was gracious enough to offer her take on the Biracial perspective in America. The transcript of that conversation are as follows:
How would you define your childhood experience as a Biracial American?
For the most part, I didn't have many bad experiences. Mostly, growing
up people were curious about my background. I remember being at the
second grade science fair and my dad was helping me set up. Courtney Ferrari
asked me who he was and I told her he was my dad. She looked shocked. I
guess she didn't realize I was half black, half white. I also remember
kids asking me, "What are you?" I think most of this was just curiosity,
but it can still come off a bit rude. I remember Crystal Jenkins saying
that it was gross that my mother and father were together, and you
remember that whole fallout afterward. So, I
had some
uncomfortable situations. However, my brother had worse things happen
to him. He never told anyone until long after the fact but when he was
in middle school, and would get off the bus to go home, this older white
boy would call him the N-word. Another boy would try to get the bully
to stop but the kid harassed my brother everyday
What has been most difficult about being a Biracial American?
For me, I sometimes have felt disconnected from both white and black
communities. But this may have more to do with my own feelings of being
on the outside of things, which has been a theme of my life since I was
very small. Maybe the racial aspect has something to with it, but I felt
that way even when I was home with family. Being the youngest of three
children, especially seven and eights years younger, I was often left
alone.
When did you begin to self identify as Biracial?
See, this is tricky. I am bi-racial but I am seen as black. I embrace
both sides, but I think because I am viewed through a certain lens by
the world, I identify myself as black, first and foremost. The only
times when people may see me differently is when I wear my hair in a
scarf, and then they wonder if I'm from the Middle East. My lighter
complexion gives people many racial ideas about who I am. Some people
think I'm Hispanic depending on what my hair looks like.
Have you had any particular experiences with racism?
Well, the most recent was when I was at a restaurant with my cousin and
we heard a group of white guys using the N-word quite loudly. Seeing as
we were the only other people in the place it was obvious that they
were trying to get a reaction from us.
Would you engage in an interracial relationship? Why or Why not?
I would because it doesn't matter to me. I have always been attracted to both black and white guys.
If you could give young Biracial children who are struggling with their identity any advice, what would it be and why?
I'd
say that identity is an ongoing journey of self-discovery and it's okay
if you feel weird about labeling yourself. Really, when you add in
gender, age cohort, and socioeconomic level, identity is
tied up to so many things. However, it is important to understand that
the permanence of who you really are, that which is pure, exists within.
The soul is ageless, without gender or race. The soul is pure love and
the conduit to experiencing the beauty of the human experience.
If
you could give a new interracial couple any advice, what would it be and why?
I'd say be prepared for some stares and for some people to think
things that aren't always nice. But also realize that for the most
part, nowadays most taboos about these kinds of relationships have
diminished. However, it does matter where one may live. The South still
seems to be stuck in the past, and I'd say the Midwest doesn't fall far
behind. Even some areas of Maryland (Cockeyesville, Elkridge,) can be backwards about race.
The
media would have us believe that we are living in a post-racial society, do you
agree with that statement? Why or Why not?
I disagree because of the constant Birther
debate about the president's citizenship, the diminishing
representation of diversity in television (Remember when Cosby, Living
Single, A Different World, Martin etc. were on in the 90's), and the
refusal to admit that a 17 year-old teen carrying Skittles was killed
because of his skin pigmentation. It's clear that believing that racism
no longer exists is in itself a form of racism. It once again
marginalizes the great power divide between the races. It also serves as
a way to make the victims of this power struggle look as though they
are overreacting or not being 'grateful' for all the changes that have
occurred; in turn, the victim feels as though they have no right to
voice dissatisfaction. It is
comparable to the slut shaming practices used against a woman who is
raped. A majority power uses the system against the minority group, in
such a way, that they feel shamed for even questioning the situation.
Barack Obama is the U.S.'s first Biracial president. Do
you believe that he is a good role model for Biracial people? Why or why not?
My views on him more stem on his politics than his racial background. I
think it's great to live in a time with the first Bi-racial/Black
president. However, I don't think he has been as revolutionary as I had
hoped four years ago. I don't know why he still upholds The Patriot Act
which basically granted the government the power to hold citizens of
suspected terrorism for any reason without any counsel or proper search
warrants. I also don't understand why he had a Reverend, who openly says
gay people should burn in hell, give the prayer at his swearing in
ceremony. Also this new Health Care Reform bill still gives a ton of
power to the corporations and insurance companies. What happened to him
fighting for Universal Health Care? So, I think he has made some strides
in
the last four years but he needs to get out of the center, stop trying
to get the Republicans to accept him, and just 'Be The Change' he said
he wanted to be.
Please watch this news clip of an interracial couple who discuss their struggle to fight for their love.
Please share your thoughts or ideas about the growth of interracial marriage and the struggle to forge and recognize Biracial identity in America.
