Interracial marriages surge across U.S.

[Susita 175]

Well I experienced something that really hurt me.

My kids (they're twins) are from a previous relationship and they are 3 years old. Thier father is half Puerto Rican. And if you didn't know, Puerto Ricans are US Citizens anyway.

Basically, I had a picture of my kids hanging up at work and one of my co-workers said "whose kids are these? we dont have any mexicans working here." and started laughing. I almost got fired for what I said to that person. Fortunately my manager saw my side of things.

Other times, people ask me if I'm babysitting or if my kids are half black. If they were, would it matter????

Why is it so important to distinguish WHAT they are. They're kids. They're American kids.

It's very disheartening and it's sad that people are so narrow-minded.

[bora bora 1]

Well I experienced something that really hurt me.

My kids (they're twins) are from a previous relationship and they are 3 years old. Thier father is half Puerto Rican. And if you didn't know, Puerto Ricans are US Citizens anyway.

Basically, I had a picture of my kids hanging up at work and one of my co-workers said "whose kids are these? we dont have any mexicans working here." and started laughing. I almost got fired for what I said to that person. Fortunately my manager saw my side of things.

Other times, people ask me if I'm babysitting or if my kids are half black. If they were, would it matter????

Why is it so important to distinguish WHAT they are. They're kids. They're American kids.

It's very disheartening and it's sad that people are so narrow-minded.

You're right - sorry you had to go through that.

Your babies are toooooo cute!!!

[Sheriff Uling 3]

I've actually experienced a more favorable reception and response in public. I told my wife it's because she is Asian and not Black. However, this is simply my perception.

[Krikit 1,164]

I've actually experienced a more favorable reception and response in public. I told my wife it's because she is Asian and not Black. However, this is simply my perception.

More favourable in what way, Sheriff?

[panamania79 2]

I've actually experienced a more favorable reception and response in public. I told my wife it's because she is Asian and not Black. However, this is simply my perception.

I think you're mistaking curiosity for "a more favorable reception and response." Believe me.

[ginger1981 0]

I am from and we reside in St. Louis, Missouri. My husband is from Jamaica. Our neighborhood is like the U.N.....we have every race and nationality you can imagine. As far as everyday life and the job situation, we've seen no issues. My own family and friends accepted him with open arms.

Ironically, the only time I've ever heard negative comments have been from Jamaican women, here and abroad.

Girlfriend get out of here. Why do people have to be like that. I think ya'll are a beautiful couple and as long as you two are happy to HELL with everyone else. That really gets under my skin.Call me Ms. INTERNATIONAL...I'll date whoever the HELL I want. I just chose to marry a Jamaican, because I've not had luck with men outside of my culture. I've dated American men black and white, but all I hear are conversations about WEED (and these are profesisonal men). If that's the only think you can connect with me about my CULTURE, then keep it moving. I dated an Italian guy for 2 years and his mother and her sisters (his aunts) HATED me. His father and uncles LOVED me. They found that I was EXOTIC. And the fact that I came from Jamaica, just made his father and the males in his family love me more. It was just his mother. He was the youngest son of 10 and he was the FINEST and I was just not good enough for her. They said I was too black and too fat and that all black one do is have babies. So, I made sure everytime I went around them I FLAUNTED by BIG A$$. I always sat on his laps and my mouth was always on his. I would have married him, but his job is too risky and people in his field either don't get married or don't stay married long (according to him). Check this out, they own a lot of propery in Negril and I went on vacation with them for 3 weeks (you know I was LOVING it)...because I was in my ZONE and she was seeing couples of opposite races all over NEGRIL, Mobay and Ocho. I drove her NUTS! She kept pretending that she was having a nervous breakdown and what is this world coming to. Her husband paid her no mind. They were to BLAZED up to address her comments. But this was the last straw, ITALIANS are big on Sunday dinners and well, when she set the table (you ready for this)...she set my place with PAPER plate, forks, knife, cup, bowl--so, we went at it. I was never felt so disrespectful in my life. Now, this woman had no problems with me when I spoke to her on the phone serveral times. We dated 6 months before I met his mom. His dad, brothers, uncles, new I was black. He didn't tell her, so the first time she met me she was in SHOCK! All she kept saying of what I could understand in her langauge was "Negra"...I think that means black or something like it. So, GIRLFRIEND, when you out and about...let them know he's yours...to HELL with everyone else. When we would go out, I got dirty steers from EVERYONE...because let me tell you...he was FINE (oh, did I tell you that already)...but I fell for him, because of his eyes and his zest of life...he was a KID all over again. Who knew that a grown man could get a kick out of going to a THEME park and losing his every loving mind. After that date, I was hooked.

Well, you must remember she was an ITALIAN MOTHER lol. From my experience they have a hard time letting go of their sons

Anyways your gorgeous...she was probably jealous too!

[kontumdiary 0]

We get a few stares at the shopping malls here in Texas but I think that's mostly because my wife looks so much younger than me, not b/c of different nationalities. Our huge smiles let them all know we are two of the happiest people on planet earth - so I'm sure that fends off anyone saying much of anything. All, and I do mean all of my friends embraced her like family when she came here, and my son loves her a hell of a lot more than his real mother. If someone has objected to our marriage we sure as heck don't know about it, this includes all our neighbors. Possibly the only objections over nationalities came from my wifes family in China, in the beginning. When we were first getting to know one another via email, phone, etc, etc, my wife didn't bother telling her family her new boyfriend was an American. Then one day when she knew she'd reached the point of no return she had to let the family in on the deal. That's when she took her mother a photo of me. According to my wife, then SO, her moms reaction was a bit indignant especially when she found out her daughter had plans on marrying. Upon seeing the photo she grunted, saying, "Ohhhh, why do you want to marry a foreigner?" I was a little worried upon hearing this but was told to forget it so I did. Now, her whole family including all aunts, uncles, grandmother's and living grandfather's adore me and I hear her mother constantly reminding her to take good, good care of me. That's partly, maybe mostly, b/c I take such good care of my wife - she's very, very happy with her life here in America and we're both extremely grateful there is such a country like this that allows people the kind of freedoms most of us have - no wonder so many have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

kontumdiary

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-0...-marriage_n.htm

My question is how many of you have experienced some form of racism as a result of your interracial or mixed nationality marriage? Personally, when a member of my family found out I intended to marry a Vietnamese woman she asked me "How can you do that after what they did to us". I was shocked to say the least. My response was that

1.) I was relatively certain she had nothing to do with the war since she wasn't even born yet. and

2.) That it was us that probably owed amends since we bombed them to the stone age and then bailed out leaving one hell of a mess behind that continues to kill today. Sounds sort of familiar doesn't it? Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

P.S. I still haven't asked if a white German would be acceptable.

[Gumbolette 58]

I'm just so lucky that I never experienced, hearing ewws and ohs. Rather, when people knew I married an american, they feel so happy for me. In another way around, when my husband's friends knew that my husband was talking to an asian, they are kinda skeptic about me and our relationship. But not that I've proven them wrong, that's all that matters. Same with my mom in law, she's so sweet to me and she really wants me to be with my husband and her already. Often times, when my husband shows our wedding picture to people who're asking him if he is married, they would usually say I'm Chinese since I have a Chinese eyes, but when my husband said I am filipina, they usually said,ohh,she's pretty.. (blush) but true. I hope I will never experience being judge just because I came from an asian and third world country, noone has the right to condemn someone wherever s/he came from.

[DanielParul 50]

Texas has a major Mexican population so we've never had to deal with any awkward situation. Most people are at first surprised to find that I am Indian not Mexican and then they are just curious about India but nothing negative. I think Daniel had to deal with being stared at a few times in India and we even had 1 guy walk up to me in a restaurant in Delhi and ask if I was Indian or foreign too. But thats pretty much it. We just look so happy and comfortable together that I think people don't even pay attention that way.

[Kevin&Leilei 1]

My family hasn't met my fiancee yet, but I haven't gotten any negative vibes from anyone. Her parents love me. Her father likes to show off a framed picture of us to his friends. She hasn't told me if they had any doubts when she first told them about me.

In China, we get tons of stares, pretty much anytime we're together in public. China doesn't have the stigma that staring is impolite, like we have in the West. In big cities like Beijing, where there are a lot of foreigners, it's not so bad, but when we're in smaller cities, such as where she lives, it's much worse. I'm not sure if there's any racism involved, or if it's more of a curiosity. "Look! A foreigner! And he's with a Chinese girl!!" My fiancee says they're just jealous. I try my best to ignore them, but sometimes I stare back to get them to stop.

[*JG* 2]

We have not had any issues at all. The city we live in is very diverse. It is a common occurance to see all kinds of mixed couples. The only time I've ever heard negative comments of any kind, ironically, comes from Jamaicans on a few forums. I just don't pay them any mind.

[Teacher Mark 53]

My family hasn't met my fiancee yet, but I haven't gotten any negative vibes from anyone. Her parents love me. Her father likes to show off a framed picture of us to his friends. She hasn't told me if they had any doubts when she first told them about me.

In China, we get tons of stares, pretty much anytime we're together in public. China doesn't have the stigma that staring is impolite, like we have in the West. In big cities like Beijing, where there are a lot of foreigners, it's not so bad, but when we're in smaller cities, such as where she lives, it's much worse. I'm not sure if there's any racism involved, or if it's more of a curiosity. "Look! A foreigner! And he's with a Chinese girl!!" My fiancee says they're just jealous. I try my best to ignore them, but sometimes I stare back to get them to stop.

If the staring got too bad in Vietnam I'd break out the video camera and point it at them.

[Kevin&Leilei 1]

If the staring got too bad in Vietnam I'd break out the video camera and point it at them.

Good idea, I'll remember that for next time.

[Teacher Mark 53]

If the staring got too bad in Vietnam I'd break out the video camera and point it at them.

Good idea, I'll remember that for next time.

You look like you're tall, so they really can't help themselves. I'm 6", so I towered above the majority of the people as well. When we went to the market I felt like a circus side show.

[Kevin&Leilei 1]

You look like you're tall, so they really can't help themselves. I'm 6", so I towered above the majority of the people as well. When we went to the market I felt like a circus side show.

Chinese aren't as short as a lot of other Asians. I'm about 5'10", taller than the average Chinese guy, but not really a giant. My fiancee's father is nearly the same height as me.

I also had a funny experience at a market near her home. Now since this was a small market in a residential area, I can understand that there hadn't been many foreigners there before. I'm even willing to accept that I was the first foreigner to set foot in the place. We walked by a booth on the way out, and the guy working there was staring at me, wide eyed, with his mouth hanging open, as if I had three heads or something. Maybe I was the first foreigner he'd ever seen in person, but from the way he was staring, you'd think he didn't even know foreigners existed before he saw me.

Edited November 9, 2008 by Kevin&Leilei