Shout out to the Aunties who have beautiful nephews and nieces who are mixed race.  You have enjoyed learning about a new culture or two in order to be the best Auntie that you can be. Because of this, you may have a new perspective on interracial dating. Have you been thinking about dating outside your race? Are you in an interracial relationship now?

Interracial dating is on the rise, and interracial marriages continue to grow in number each year. Currently, one out of every seven marriages in the United States is multiracial or multiethnic.  Families are becoming increasingly tolerant of their children bringing someone home who is from another race, which is evident to those of you with the gorgeous mixed niece and nephew.
 
Some wonder why interracial love is still so controversial. Yes, it has become a little easier, but there can still be some unresolved hostility.  
 
The hostility is mainly due to ignorance and stereotypes. Racism is still taught and is based on assumptions about people because of the color of their skin. It may take some family members or friends time to get used to your mixed race relationship. It maybe be difficult, but try not to let that dictate who you love. Like the comedian Chris Rock said, “whoever you hate will end up in your family.” In some cases it is the birth of a child, like your niece or nephew, that caused the hostility to turn into love. Several years ago, the percentage of mixed race babies in the United States was up to 4 percent, and in the United Kingdom is it the fastest growing group of babies.
 
If you do end up with a partner of a different race, you will be in good company. There is a long list of beautiful interracial couples such as Iman and David Bowie, Sir Michael Caine and Shakira Baksh Caine, Robin Thicke and Paula Patton,  Ice T and Coco, and Heidi Klum and Seal. The list goes on and on. Also note that the interracial couple, The Lovings, who fought the Supreme Court to legalize interracial marriage in America, were married until Richard Loving’s death. There is even a day named after the Lovings called “Loving Day”, which is celebrated world-wide as a day for interracial love and racial tolerance.
 
Interracial dating has pros and cons, just as dating in general does. The question you must ask yourself is what matters most when it comes to finding the person with whom you want to spend your life. It is a question that has nothing to do with race, but rather what is in line with your goals, dreams, and desires.
 
If you are on the fence about dating someone from another race, follow your heart. You never know who you will fall in love with. There is a saying that will last till the end of time "everything is the same in the dark."

Published: September 21, 2011