I am dating a white woman
Feb 23, 2018
When Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation in the year 1863, he inspired hope in the hearts of hundreds of thousands of colored people living in the United States, either as part of the confederate states, or the union. Although it is suggested that he paid for this “mistake” with his life, it would be several more years before the civil rights movement would make even greater strides in dealing with oppression and institutionalized segregation.
In 2008, history was made when for the first time in history; a black man was appointed to the highest office in the land. This was a milestone that was just as historic as Lincoln, almost 200 years before. And for some reason, all these do not seem to be enough, if the recent incidences involving the police and black folk are concerned. Some say racial profiling is alive and well, a claim that is backed by nothing more than anecdotal evidence.
Love can be beautiful, and what better feeling in the world than reciprocated love. We work for our livelihood, and spend a great deal of time in doing so, but love seems to be indispensible even in the midst of our consumerist society.
Why is it such a strange thing when I say I am dating a white women? I tell you what; no legislation can affect people’s attitude. Our ideals form the core of who we are and it matters not what else we are exposed to if our minds are made up. Some white folk will blame me for taking away one of their own. Imperialist Nazis would have abhorred the idea of the Arian race being contaminated.
The brothers might call me out for betrayal. They may firmly believe that by going out with a white women, I am inadvertently legitimizing this perceived privilege that white folk have, essentially selling my soul to the devil. All this because I have fallen in love? It's a shame that we are still having these discussions in our century.
That cutting edge science leaves no doubt that there is little in terms of difference in our genetic makeup as different racial groups is not enough reason for some to dispense with archaic mindsets.
I do not believe that prejudice is genetic, and that we have little control over how our thinking is shaped. If anything, what goes on in our minds is up to us. We do not, under any compulsion, adapt skewed ideas. We have to give ourselves permission to be petty. Granted, prejudice is still peddled by mainstream media and we are led to believe that we are in war.
However, there are also many voices that are shouting at the top of their voices, calling out for proper perspective in issues. Am I denying the reality of racial issues? Absolutely not! That would be too simplistic. What I am in fact doing is acknowledging this reality and asking for better.
Maybe the problem is when we refer to my situation as Interracial dating. Perhaps we should just call it dating and leave out the sensational prefix which serves to entrench this prejudice. I have not fallen in love with a white women; I have fallen in love with a woman. I am not dating a white woman; I am dating a woman.