Editor's note: This post is part of the Overheard on CNN.com series, a regular feature that examines interesting comments and thought-provoking conversations posted by the community.
Both the number of interracial marriages and the acceptance of such couples is growing, according to a new study. But the relationships themselves still stir a bit of conversation, and we saw some fiery debates among our commenters. We also heard some stories from couples in interracial marriages.
Study: Interracial marriage, acceptance growing
This reader talked about her own interracial marriage.
lchristma: "As an Asian-American who married a white man, my race was not a factor to him. I had more concerns than he did. I knew he had never faced racism, and he would be judged. Culturally, it was not an issue, since my adopted parents are white. People should remember that the U.S. adopted many Asian children, which contributes to the increase. I just get annoyed with people wondering if I am a mail-order bride, can speak English, must be submissive, etc. Just more stereotypes that are not always true. Fortunately we live in a very educated, diverse, and liberal college town. We live there so we can give our children a safer and healthier environment. No one should grow up feeler lesser than others, due to others people’s ignorance."
For some couples, race is just about a nonissue.
casselli: "I am married to a 'white' man, and I don't see us as an 'interracial' marriage. I love him to death and adore his beautiful skin. I am Mexican, and he feels the same way about me. Needless to say our kids are gorgeous and lucky."
This commenter raved about her partner.
rgp1983: "I am a white woman with a black boyfriend. He is the best person I have ever known. He is wildly intelligent, incredibly kind and generous, strong, passionate, supportive and treats me like gold. He listens when I talk, makes me laugh and is a true companion. I never have to face anything alone, yet he gives me space to develop as an individual. He may not be perfect, but he's certainly close to being perfect for me. All you racists and bigots can fume and steam all you want, call us unnatural and dirty, hurl names and insults ... it only makes us stronger. When I go home tonight, we'll laugh and joke, sip wine as we tell each other about our days, playfully kid one another before we cook dinner. It's sad that that inspires such vitriol and hatred."
Another said they love all the diversity in their family.
LostinSLC: "Wow I am floored at some of the narrow-minded thinking here. I am Italian decent, and we have Indian, Mexican and Chinese in-laws within my family. We are very diverse, and the kids are a mix of all our races. I would never trade my family for anyone else and this whole 'we need to keep the race pure' has no place in this day and age ... grow up."
Is there such a thing as race in the first place? Some argued the point is moot.
Apatheist: "There is no such thing as interracial marriage. There is no such thing as different human races. We all evolved from a common hominid ancestor in Africa a few hundred thousand years ago. In fact, we are so alike that the darkest African and the whitest Norwegian are usually more alike genetically than two rabbits living in the same forest. A good understanding of human evolution should eradicate most racism from this world."
This commenter said defining a race is not always straightforward.
abcdef54321: "Unless you have had your DNA tested, you cannot be sure what race you really are. I'm reading a biography of Thomas Jefferson. The author noted that the children of slaves who were white enough to pass for white in the white community were allowed to leave the plantation and join a distant community where they were not known. There they lived as white, married white, and had white children. If you are a Southerner, like me, odds are good that one of your ancestors was a black slave, no matter what color you are."
Some wondered about the point of all the research, and others defended it.
Rick1948: "The stupid thing is that they are even keeping statistics on this any more. It flat doesn't matter. With the economy in the tank, millions of people living on the streets and unemployment what it is, anything two people can do to make themselves happy, as long as it doesn't affect anyone else, is just fine."
hesaidwhat2: "Well, it apparently it still matters to 100 million people in this country. That is why they bother."
Can you relate? Share your opinion in the comments area below and in the latest stories on CNN.com. Or sound off on video via CNN iReport.
Compiled by the CNN.com moderation staff. Some comments edited for length or clarity.
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Proof positive that U.S. society has largely been spinning it's collective wheels is the fact that although the U.S. is militarily, economically and politically the most powerful country in the world, it is still one of the most socially retrograde of the first-world countries. Why, in light of the rest of the Americas, fear of racial intermingling and ethnic bigotry are still such pervasive, glaring issues in this country defies common sense, as these things are grossly detrimental to the well-being of it's citizens and it's esprit de corps.
Jorge, i think you hit it on the head.
Just a little side note: Hispanic is not a race; they are considered caucasian, unless they specify Black Hispanic. There are only three "races" in the human race. Hispanic is a culture.
My 1st American boyfriend was Black! It was 1972 in a small Tx town & as y'all can imagine it did not go over well! There were death threats & taunting! When the initial hoopla died down, it was your average highschool romance! We broke up, got back together, just like all the other couples! Since then I've been an "equal opportunity"dater! If there's mutual interest between me & a man, his ethnicity never makes the equation! I'm more concerned w/his personality & things we have in common! Not to say I'm "color blind," I'm more "color apprecitive"! I love the fact that we have such a range of skin tones & enjoy learning about other peoples cultures! With the diversity of nationalities represented in this country, we still share our American culture as well! When it comes down to it we are Americans, dating or marrying other Americans! I agree that there are many ethnicities & cultures, but only 1 human race!!
My son is Half Korean, half white. 2 of my cousins are half Thai, half white, 2 of my other cousins are half Puerto Rican, half white..... We are a very accepting family
To us they are just family.
I guess they can be called Koreanite. Their cousin can also be called Thainite. How about Ricanite........
I have no problem with people who wish to marry outside of their race. I don't – so does that make me a bigot? I like my race – I like the history of my race and wish to keep it pure. If we don't fight to keep our line pure – soon it will be no longer exist. I find that sad. This nation is a beautiful mixture of many cultures why mix them up? When blacks marry a white person the children get whiter not blacker as the mixture continues. Wish to eliminate the black race? They are a beautiful race – why do that?
The only pure races are those who live far from modern civilization.
Darius:
And they tend to breed within...
Your personal belief.
That's fine.
What about those of us Caucasions who don't want our race wiped out by Thrid World Mud People? It amazes me how none of you blowing about "how wonderful" it is never stop to think which race has done more than the others combined in elevating humanity to where it is today. If it wasn't for the Caucasion race there would never have been the Rennaissance, the Wheel, the Computer, or Modern Medicine! THINK about which races are always with their hands out and palms up to the Caucasion race looking for a handout! YOU grow up! Better yet GET AN EDUCATION cause you sure don't know what the heck you're even talking about!
Also without the caucasian people there would not have been the crusades, the catholic inquisitions, the Salem witch trials, etc. etc.
It's funny that you still hold on to things that happened 100's of years ago.
Wow, how dare you? And if it were not for many of your ancestor's selfish desires and exploitations of other people, some of that would not have ever happened. At least not by the same people. And elevating humanity? Think about how many people were harmed and killed for the "Caucasian Race" to do all that it did. And they didn't do it alone they had help with those accomplishments. Some of the first Caucasians to ever touch American soil are the same people responsible for the murders and enslavement of thousands of Native Americans and Africans. Because those people took what didn't belong to them. So you think about how many toes your race had to step on to get to where they are today. And for all you know, your DNA just may contain some of the same DNA possessed by those you refer to as "Third World Mud People." I'm not saying that any race is better than any other, because collectively we make up what is America today. This is everyone's home and people have the freedom to choose whomever they want to be with. That's their choice. And perhaps the person you're replying to isn't the only one in need of an education. You too have a few things to learn. Not to mention you didn't even spell Caucasian correctly. Or third for that matter.
@Taja, Thank you so much for point it out to those ignorants people.
While i hear what you are saying, there is plenty of bad to go around in all races. If it weren't for the black race, none of the other races would have existed etc. If it weren't for the German race, millions of jews would have lived etc. Here we are, the one greatest nation on this rock. Time we start looking out for each other and move our species forward and give up this crap about race. We're all part of the human race. Let's shelf the blame and credit grabbing and do the best for each other!
LMAO!
Thanks!
Do you know what vapid even *means*?
Doubtful.
Unless it came up as your word-of-the-day, which doesn't surprise me any...
The ignorance & misinformation that people embrace is amazing! Scientifically (although that's tantamount to witchcraft to some), there is but 1 human race! Some want to perpetuate the Caucasian, Asian (Oriental), African ethnicities as races, but DNA testing disproves that! The most telling factor is blood! If I need a transfusion ANY person w/my type & RH factor can be a donor! But I can't get blood from my cat, an actual other race/species! Comparing tribal peoples to the difference between dogs & wolves is true, in the sense that these tribes are living life as has been done for centuries, they're not coming out of the jungle & are not interested in assimilating! Much like wolves! Dogs & wolves are cousins, derived from a common ancestor & are not different species! The wolves stayed wild & the dogs became domesticated! Much like tribal people & us, supposedly civilized folk! Also, Caucasians (note spelling) did not invent math or medicine but imported it from Asia, India & Arabia! Look it up!!
I know they’re the same species. I meant no disrespect. I was simply pointing out that even though we’re the same on the genetic level, certain catalysts (such as point of origin) have shaped our societies very differently. I just used fewer words than you to say it. For the record I'm white, but I also highly respect other cultures. Especially Asian culture, which holds wisdom, respect, and honor in the highest regard.
Thanks nsaidi, for getting rid of that troll comment! Please take down my reply as well, since it no longer applies! Thanks for cleaning up our site & letting us have fun, intelligent, convo!!
When someone addresses me, I address them back.
I wouldn't want to be impolite...or cause you to go hungry.
Get out John, you're white!? I never would have......doubted it! Relax, dude I'm white, too, but have as you say, evolved! Even tribal peoples have laws/rules, traditions & customs that take intelligence to put in place & keep it working for the people! It is the very birth ground of our world today & it's amazing that we have such a variety of cultures on this planet! I find it facinating & a source of celebration! Evolution will continue no matter how much we want to hold on to the old ways! It's a conumdrum, which we've been through many times before! Truth, like cream, always rises to the top though, no matter how many people & centuries try to hide or hamper it! We Are the Human Race! Will it take an "Independence Day," "War of the Worlds" type of invasion for us to get this truth?? I hope not!!
LMAO, @banasy, & a huge WORD to you, my fantabulous blog friend! You so crazee.......like a fox!!
Oh no. Please stop. I can't handle all these witty come backs.
Fernace:
Word.
Some posting here seems to need to point how horrible the caucasian race is. The ignorance of our forefather's both black and white has lots of value if you can get over damning a certain race. The black man's ancestors captured them and sold them to our ignorant ancestors. However when you really consider all the pros and cons – where would the African Americans be that are now Americans by birth? Most likely they would not exist since their ancestors could have died because of lack of food, water, killed by a neighboring tribe or etc. So lets all celebrate the good things that happened those hundred of years ago and stop hating each other because of it. I am white and I owe you nothing. I never owned a slave and none of you were ever a slave. So get over it already.