I am waiting for my next set of books to come from the library so I looked up Forbidden Fruit on the web and found this summary. “Award-winning journalist Betty DeRamus has written about race riots, refugee camps and other news events around the world. But more recently she's been pursuing a different kind of story -- this one dating as far back as the 1600s and set against the backdrop of African American slavery.
Ms. DeRamus began writing Forbidden Fruit after meeting the descendants of an interracial couple who overcame huge obstacles to marry in the mid-1800s. That spurred her on to look for more love stories -- at family reunions, in court documents, census records, unpublished memoirs and old newspapers. Looking back at a time when marriages between slaves were not legally binding in the United States…and when masters could sell or move their slaves at will, she found accounts of people who risked everything to be together
Many stories in the book unfold along the “Underground Railroad,” the organized network that sheltered fugitive slaves during the decades before slavery was abolished in the 1860s. Other stories feature people who relied on more informal methods to stay together. Some couples walked across several states or waited decades to be reunited. One pair traveled in disguise from south to north, with bounty hunters in pursuit, then sailed to England. One young woman hid herself in a wooden chest and had herself shipped to the man she loved.
An 1806 Virginia law even led some people to renounce their freedom. "That was one of the surprises in my research," Betty DeRamus says. "The Virginia Assembly ruled that any newly-freed blacks would have to leave the state. And some of those newly-freed blacks petitioned the Virginia Assembly saying they would rather go back into slavery than be free without their families.”
Not all the stories in Forbidden Fruit end happily. But Betty DeRamus says most of the stories are about reunions, and she hopes they will provide a new way of looking at the history of slavery.
I decide to read this one first because it talks more about the 19th century and the struggles that interracial couples faced together and I thought that it would go well after reading Navigating Interracial Borders. I will be making compares to the world we live in today.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Working toward the Dream
At the end of her research Childs writes, “ My research is not a celebration of interracial marriage or even a suggestion that we should work to get others to marry interracially. It is, however a critique of the opposition against interracial relationships, primarily because it is based in the larger racism and racial inequality that permeates our society. Through the radicalized words and actions of others to black-white couples, it is clear that race still divides us. Rather than advocate color-blindness, ignoring race or allowing others to ignore it, and hoping it will go away…” (Childs 194). Even though it is the 21st century, people still follow the image of the past. It hard for me to understand way people feel this way. I mean know that it is impossible for everyone in the world to get along but to continue to discriminate against each other because of color is ridicules.
Childs goes on to say, “ Change should begin by interrogating ourselves, and the role each of us plays in the construction and maintenance of racial boundaries. We need to revisit the ideas that have become so customary…”(Childs 193). This statement is true because if people don’t change for themselves them how would it possible for the world to change its views on race. I noticed that I let go of the so-called “norm” of society because it not going to lead me anywhere thinking like that. “ I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character”. This ways one of the many things Martin Luther King Jr., dreamed for the future because he wanted change he was tired of the out ways society treated people. It’s the 21st century and King’s dream is still not nearly achieved. “ There are many more stories to be told and any number of perspectives to be uncovered”(Childs 194). This is how Childs concluded with her research; I believe that society will become better and the future and mixed unions will be the hope for the future.
Childs goes on to say, “ Change should begin by interrogating ourselves, and the role each of us plays in the construction and maintenance of racial boundaries. We need to revisit the ideas that have become so customary…”(Childs 193). This statement is true because if people don’t change for themselves them how would it possible for the world to change its views on race. I noticed that I let go of the so-called “norm” of society because it not going to lead me anywhere thinking like that. “ I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character”. This ways one of the many things Martin Luther King Jr., dreamed for the future because he wanted change he was tired of the out ways society treated people. It’s the 21st century and King’s dream is still not nearly achieved. “ There are many more stories to be told and any number of perspectives to be uncovered”(Childs 194). This is how Childs concluded with her research; I believe that society will become better and the future and mixed unions will be the hope for the future.
Monday, January 14, 2008
The Larger Picture
In one of Childs many discussions she talks about looking at the bigger picture presented before us. Here she says, “Couples who de-emphasized race in terms of their own identities or experiences were most likely to say that others in society also didn’t care that they were an interracial couple, drawing on common phrases such as “ love sees no color” or the “browning of America”. Though all of the couples had some experiences where others in society responded negatively to the relationship. These couples simply did not discuss the opposition in racial terms. Some couples explained it in terms of a personal choice “not to see opposition.” For these couples, opposition does not exist because they do not acknowledge it similar to the ideology of color-blindness” (Childs 39). I picked this quote because it shows how interracial couples put things behind them meaning that they did not let outside world influence their decision. They couples stay true to themselves, what feels right for them goes nothing else. Victor gives his point of view.
“I think is has changed, I’ve seen it change… we’ve seen that [the opposition] change because we’ve seen it so much [referring to interracial couples]. I mean, when you walk places that’s what you see. I can remember we went to Boston, and, I mean, they were all over the place, very interracial…it’s not going to be a big deal… but there’s probably places down there [south] that still, it’s not to be done…but we’re quite fond actually of spotting interracial couples wherever we go. We them IRCs… “ Did you see the table behind you/ oh, yeah, cool,” course she’s always checking out the kids… to see what the mix looks like. Honestly, it’s going to be the wave of the future. There’ll be more of it and people will think less of a taboo about the whole thing” (Childs 38).
Here victor talks about how the world is getting better and letting go of the norm. He says that there are some places that he can comfortably express himself and other parts that still need more work. And this is better compared to the 19th century were people had to hid because they were scared of the consequence for breaking the rules. And it is true that the world is getting more diverse. Which I think is a good thing because then racism might vanish and people wont have to be afraid anymore. I am almost done with reading Navigating Interracial Borders, then I will began reading stories about the 19th century, this is going to be very interesting because the people of those times lived in a more violent era.
“I think is has changed, I’ve seen it change… we’ve seen that [the opposition] change because we’ve seen it so much [referring to interracial couples]. I mean, when you walk places that’s what you see. I can remember we went to Boston, and, I mean, they were all over the place, very interracial…it’s not going to be a big deal… but there’s probably places down there [south] that still, it’s not to be done…but we’re quite fond actually of spotting interracial couples wherever we go. We them IRCs… “ Did you see the table behind you/ oh, yeah, cool,” course she’s always checking out the kids… to see what the mix looks like. Honestly, it’s going to be the wave of the future. There’ll be more of it and people will think less of a taboo about the whole thing” (Childs 38).
Here victor talks about how the world is getting better and letting go of the norm. He says that there are some places that he can comfortably express himself and other parts that still need more work. And this is better compared to the 19th century were people had to hid because they were scared of the consequence for breaking the rules. And it is true that the world is getting more diverse. Which I think is a good thing because then racism might vanish and people wont have to be afraid anymore. I am almost done with reading Navigating Interracial Borders, then I will began reading stories about the 19th century, this is going to be very interesting because the people of those times lived in a more violent era.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Gender Troubles
In one of Childs many discussions she talks about gender troubles. She says, “At Central State University, one of the black female students also expressed these sentiments, saying “ black men are in fashion; call it the resurgence of the black male. It’s like interracial dating is a fashion statement, a token, especially when it is a black athlete… white girls are always saying, oh, black guys are so much cooler, so much cuter,’ and always asking to be hooked up with them” (Childs 157-158). The reason that I stated off with this part of the discussion was because of this common stereotype African American woman have. I feel that people cannot help who they happen to find attractive even if the opposite race. From this persons response the reader can tell that this person has a problem with society moving out of it’s norm. One of the couples made a comment about her life. Victoria says,
Oh, God, I think I have heard every negative thing about white woman, black man. I understand it more now but in school it was hard because it was like every day someone was saying something about me from all sides white guys were like, “Why throw it away on a black guy? He’s just using you” and black girls would harass me, call me names, and always act like Chris was with me because I had money or did things for him, which I didn’t, and I think I let it go to me…”(Childs 158)
Her experience reflects on the way others perceive interracial couples. The outside world assumes that they only way she could was able to get Chris were because of what they thought she had. I noticed even ever an interracial couple was in the public domain 24/7 that made the relationship even more difficult. Why do people find joy in destroying that is not the usual? Chris also talks about the relationship with Victoria. He says,
“This is a sore subject for her because we did have a lot of problems, and I think when we were younger, it’s like you do let what friends say kinds of change the way you feel, and just like Victoria said. I think for me another part of it was this perception among the guys I played with [college basketball team] that she would sleep around because that was how a lot of the white girls who liked black guys acted” (Childs158).
It a shame that the guys Chris played basketball would talk about Victoria liked that. I find that to be disrespectful because woman should never be treated like that. Chris did not take their advice because he is still with Victoria. It was difficult for Chris not to listen when to his friends. However, he picked his heart instead because it did not judge Victoria because of her race. It’s harder for woman interracial couples they have to learn to take the criticism from people who are afraid of the world changing.
Oh, God, I think I have heard every negative thing about white woman, black man. I understand it more now but in school it was hard because it was like every day someone was saying something about me from all sides white guys were like, “Why throw it away on a black guy? He’s just using you” and black girls would harass me, call me names, and always act like Chris was with me because I had money or did things for him, which I didn’t, and I think I let it go to me…”(Childs 158)
Her experience reflects on the way others perceive interracial couples. The outside world assumes that they only way she could was able to get Chris were because of what they thought she had. I noticed even ever an interracial couple was in the public domain 24/7 that made the relationship even more difficult. Why do people find joy in destroying that is not the usual? Chris also talks about the relationship with Victoria. He says,
“This is a sore subject for her because we did have a lot of problems, and I think when we were younger, it’s like you do let what friends say kinds of change the way you feel, and just like Victoria said. I think for me another part of it was this perception among the guys I played with [college basketball team] that she would sleep around because that was how a lot of the white girls who liked black guys acted” (Childs158).
It a shame that the guys Chris played basketball would talk about Victoria liked that. I find that to be disrespectful because woman should never be treated like that. Chris did not take their advice because he is still with Victoria. It was difficult for Chris not to listen when to his friends. However, he picked his heart instead because it did not judge Victoria because of her race. It’s harder for woman interracial couples they have to learn to take the criticism from people who are afraid of the world changing.
Friday, December 28, 2007
What about the Children?
In chapter four Childs addresses several thing including children. Childs writes, “while the white and the black community respondents identified the potential offspring of interracial couples as an issue, they could not or would not elaborate on why these children are a concern. Some white respondents stated “it’s just not fair to the children’ and discussed their belief that offspring from interracial unions have “problems”, such as confusion over their identity and lack of acceptance among whites and blacks" (Childs 130), this topic goes back to The Color of Trouble because Kari struggled with the idea of loving a mixed child. She also knew that her parents would have never accepted the child. Childs shows the reader that people are inferring that the mixed child would never make it in society. To be clear ever one no matter what race they are struggles to find who he or she is; it’s not just and “interracial problem”. Childs talks to four couples about how their parents felt about the matter. Kayla says,
“They told me they didn’t think it was a good idea because all the things I would have to go through raising an interracial baby in Maine… that other people would be too cruel and that I had to think of the child and that it is not fair to bring into this world, interracial, knowing what was going to happen. They told me if I had the baby I was selfish" (Childs 130).
I might understand how they could think that it would be hard for the child but how could her parents say that Kayla is selfish, how is that possible. And other comments they said “into this world”, do they know that times have changed and people are more kind towards each other. Aisha talks about her parents, she says, “My mom said, “what do you think kids will be like…it is wrong to bring kids into a situation like this. Kids will be confused. I Don’t Want Polka Dot Grandkids!' (Childs 130)I think that the last sentence went to far because Aisha’s mother talks about how others will treat the grandchildren and yet she is already alienating her future blood. Again it is not up to anyone to tell the children how they are suppose act or live. I do understand that grandparents are from different times and it a little harder for them to adapt to different things. It’s a lot of pressure on interracial couples to make the right choices for themselves and their children. Why does it have to be this way? Why can't we all just be looked at as equal?
“They told me they didn’t think it was a good idea because all the things I would have to go through raising an interracial baby in Maine… that other people would be too cruel and that I had to think of the child and that it is not fair to bring into this world, interracial, knowing what was going to happen. They told me if I had the baby I was selfish" (Childs 130).
I might understand how they could think that it would be hard for the child but how could her parents say that Kayla is selfish, how is that possible. And other comments they said “into this world”, do they know that times have changed and people are more kind towards each other. Aisha talks about her parents, she says, “My mom said, “what do you think kids will be like…it is wrong to bring kids into a situation like this. Kids will be confused. I Don’t Want Polka Dot Grandkids!' (Childs 130)I think that the last sentence went to far because Aisha’s mother talks about how others will treat the grandchildren and yet she is already alienating her future blood. Again it is not up to anyone to tell the children how they are suppose act or live. I do understand that grandparents are from different times and it a little harder for them to adapt to different things. It’s a lot of pressure on interracial couples to make the right choices for themselves and their children. Why does it have to be this way? Why can't we all just be looked at as equal?
Friday, December 21, 2007
The term Selling Out
It means "to engage in an intimate relationship with a white person means that one is selling out to white society and in the process has sold out the black community"(Childs 87). This is one of the problems interracial couples have to face because they want to expresses themselves from the norm they are viewed as a sell out. “ Among the black community respondents interviewed, statements that only blacks “who are removed from their race” or those who are “weak” engage in interracial relationships were common. Black college students groups also emphasized the importance of “keeping it real,”(Childs 90) I find this statement to be incorrect. Just because a person happens to see something in other races that does not mean that they are dishonest to their race. Also for “keeping it real” that is ridicules because the college students would think this way. The idea of being open-minded should not be taboo anymore because this is the 21st century. Sometimes I can’t believe people still think this way. Five of the black couples talked about the image of “selling out”, here Andre says,
“I don’t think that [I’m a sellout]. I kind of think I’m better than those people, you know? Like, I’m on a higher intellectual plane than them…if you’re just going to alienate me [as a sellout] because who I date or what music I listen to, or because of my views, then I got time for you, really. If you know your history, then you know you’ve been biased and prejudiced against, so why are you going to be prejudiced against someone else. Again, that’s defining me by my skin color and my hair texture to what I’m supposed to do, like I’m not preprogrammed because of, and no one is preprogrammed because of, their race to live a certain way, to think certain things, to date certain people (Childs 91)
Chris gives his view on the meaning of selling out.
“Sellout, that’s what blacks like to say when they don’t like the way you are living, whether it be with a white person, or your job, or your neighborhood. I feel secure in my identity, so when people say things like that’s why you got a white wife, or you think you’re white I just try to educate them. One of the biggest obstacles to black succeeding is this mentality, you know, that you got to be one way to be black. I’m black, and don’t challenge my authenticity because I am educated and I’m with her. Judge me on where I stand and what I do. I am involved in the NAACP. Are you? I give to the United Negro College Fund. Do you? But I also am not going to let my life be dictated, like, “Oh, you can’t vote that way. You’re black,” or, “You can’t like them because you’re black”…that’s ludicrous. To me, selling out is when you do something that contributes to the negative images of blacks” (Childs 93).
I picked these two quotes because is shows how optimistic the couples are. Despite, everything they face in their lives the couples never gave up on what they believe in. I found that the couples use the negative talk as a way to stay positive. Why do others feel threaten by interracial couples? This is the question I hope to answer.
“I don’t think that [I’m a sellout]. I kind of think I’m better than those people, you know? Like, I’m on a higher intellectual plane than them…if you’re just going to alienate me [as a sellout] because who I date or what music I listen to, or because of my views, then I got time for you, really. If you know your history, then you know you’ve been biased and prejudiced against, so why are you going to be prejudiced against someone else. Again, that’s defining me by my skin color and my hair texture to what I’m supposed to do, like I’m not preprogrammed because of, and no one is preprogrammed because of, their race to live a certain way, to think certain things, to date certain people (Childs 91)
Chris gives his view on the meaning of selling out.
“Sellout, that’s what blacks like to say when they don’t like the way you are living, whether it be with a white person, or your job, or your neighborhood. I feel secure in my identity, so when people say things like that’s why you got a white wife, or you think you’re white I just try to educate them. One of the biggest obstacles to black succeeding is this mentality, you know, that you got to be one way to be black. I’m black, and don’t challenge my authenticity because I am educated and I’m with her. Judge me on where I stand and what I do. I am involved in the NAACP. Are you? I give to the United Negro College Fund. Do you? But I also am not going to let my life be dictated, like, “Oh, you can’t vote that way. You’re black,” or, “You can’t like them because you’re black”…that’s ludicrous. To me, selling out is when you do something that contributes to the negative images of blacks” (Childs 93).
I picked these two quotes because is shows how optimistic the couples are. Despite, everything they face in their lives the couples never gave up on what they believe in. I found that the couples use the negative talk as a way to stay positive. Why do others feel threaten by interracial couples? This is the question I hope to answer.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Media
Why does it seem like the media is the source of interracial problems? On TV the perfect couple is represented in the traditional way, they look happy and complete. Again we see the color-blind world people live in. Interracial couples do not have a model to look up to. So it’s not a surprise that mixed coupled have a hard time staying together. Aisha talks about how hard it is for to go any were with Michael,
“Being married to a black man would be easier…I go to dance clubs [predominantly black] without him because it would be uncomfortable…or when he came to the West Indian Day Parade, it was a problem, everyone was like, “Who’s this? How dare you bring a white guy to this”(Childs 34),
I think it is ridicules that she should feel this way. I was shocked about how they treated him at the parade; I thought it was wrong to even talked to him like that. This is the 21st century, why do people still act this towards each other. The media never portrays “ mixed relationships” in a good light, so no wonder people outside the loop question the idea. Kayla gives the reader an example,
“ I was in a supermarket with my two girls, and Hank was down another aisle, and this [white] woman came up to me smiling and said, “ I just had to say hi, because my husband and I are thinking of adopting also,” and before she could continue, I said, “these are mine,” and she saw [Hank] coming walking down the aisle and she had this look of disgust on her face and walked away. I couldn’t believe it. She looked at me like I had two heads”(Childs 40).
I thought that Kayla handled her self-well because she did not flip out on the woman. As I get older I would like to see media change because it would help people overcome racial issues. It’s important to remember that we are all humans with feelings. I noticed that I have become a more understanding person because my family is not opened minded. It’s not their fault their generation was not very accepting t these issues. In the future years I think the label “interracial” well no longer be a factor.
“Being married to a black man would be easier…I go to dance clubs [predominantly black] without him because it would be uncomfortable…or when he came to the West Indian Day Parade, it was a problem, everyone was like, “Who’s this? How dare you bring a white guy to this”(Childs 34),
I think it is ridicules that she should feel this way. I was shocked about how they treated him at the parade; I thought it was wrong to even talked to him like that. This is the 21st century, why do people still act this towards each other. The media never portrays “ mixed relationships” in a good light, so no wonder people outside the loop question the idea. Kayla gives the reader an example,
“ I was in a supermarket with my two girls, and Hank was down another aisle, and this [white] woman came up to me smiling and said, “ I just had to say hi, because my husband and I are thinking of adopting also,” and before she could continue, I said, “these are mine,” and she saw [Hank] coming walking down the aisle and she had this look of disgust on her face and walked away. I couldn’t believe it. She looked at me like I had two heads”(Childs 40).
I thought that Kayla handled her self-well because she did not flip out on the woman. As I get older I would like to see media change because it would help people overcome racial issues. It’s important to remember that we are all humans with feelings. I noticed that I have become a more understanding person because my family is not opened minded. It’s not their fault their generation was not very accepting t these issues. In the future years I think the label “interracial” well no longer be a factor.
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