Women are not just pieces of meat, and should not be treated as such. The argument is always that a person should not be objectified, and I totally agree. Now that we are all on the same page, if we are looking past the exterior of a woman and searching for her glowing personality, shouldn’t that be applied in every situation, for all couples?
When two individuals love each other, neither their sexual orientation nor their race are of any concern to the two of them. Therefore, those around them should not be concerned with the sexual orientation or race of the individuals involved. Instead, they should be happy and supportive of the love the couple shares. It really is simple; when you find the person whom you love, their race or gender doesn’t matter.
As a child, I did not see color, and I still do not. I was always taught to be with someone who loved and cared for me as much as I showed those same qualities toward them.
Being in an interracial relationship has had its external challenges. Typically speaking, I do not notice the race of my significant other. Usually, it is not until someone else acknowledges the fact that we are interracial that I even consider it. It does not take long to walk down the street and receive a disapproving glare from someone who clearly must have been raised before the civil rights era.
Our beloved Grove offers one of the friendliest tailgating atmospheres in the country. However, on Saturdays I still notice the glares from un-expecting individuals as we make our way through the Grove. Old confederate symbolism throughout the Grove and campus overshadow me and my significant other as we enjoy the same things as everyone else on campus. I would truly prefer to not be judged, especially by someone who has not taken the time to get to know me.
I have been told that our relationship is not approved of by God because based on race we are not “equally yoked.” First of all, we are both children of the same God, created as equals. Secondly, the Bible does not teach hatred, contrary to popular belief. Lastly, 2 Corinthians 6:14, the verse used to tear at our relationship, is not even about race. It says, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
Subconsciously, I am not offended on a personal level by the ignorance of those who choose to judge me or my relationship based upon skin color; honestly I could not care less about such an opinion. Instead, I am offended by the ignorance and hatred that will be spread from that individual to create others who will become like-minded. No one should cast judgment upon me or my relationship in general, and they definitely should not cast judgment based upon the color of our skin.
Comparatively speaking, there are people who choose to gawk over our relationship. “Ya’ll are going to have the most beautiful children. Mixed babies are the cutest.” Although it is true that most bi-racial children do have a coveted skin tone and wonderful hair, I would prefer this assumption not be made based on our skin color, but instead based on our features in absence of complexion. Also, I do not appreciate being the token couple. Calm down, we are not representatives of the entire black and white populations. We are simply two people who love each other.
My experiences outside of the country have revealed a lack of concern towards the importance of race. I’m not exactly sure where, or even if, my dream place of tolerance exists. However, it would be nice to stroll down the street and not experience racial intolerance toward me as an individual or my relationship.
Brice Ashford is a junior marketing major from Ridgeland.
