Writing topic pg. 589
My family is what some would call “old fashion.” Not only my parents but all of my in laws have there mindset stuck somewhere back in the 70’s. They view marriage as something between a man and a woman and preferably they be of the same race and religion. They are also very concerned with things such as sex before marriage, dating before the age of 18, etc. Even though I was raised in a family that was very closed minded I seem to have turned to be a direct opposite. I am Caucasian and I have a preference of dating African American men. I grew up in a predominantly black community so in my opinion that is why I am more attracted to that race. I have dated Caucasians and when I brought them home to meet the family it was never an issue my parents were accepting and he fit right in. However, I knew that I was only really talking to those guys so that my family would approve not necessarily because I liked them. In order to be fully happy I followed my heart and started to date an African American. I wasn’t nervous to bring him hoe because I know that my parents love me no matter what so I knew that they would still accept him. Eventually I told them about him and they were very skeptical and after I talked to them they spread the word like wild fire through my family. I was very upset because my entire family had something negative to say before they even met him. I eventually worked up the courage to bring him to meet my immediate family and it went really well. My parents were able to see passed the color of his skin and realized how amazing he was and that he made me really happy. I was very excited that my parents were able to look past there “old fashioned” up bringing and open there mind to new things. I wish I could say the same for the rest of my family. My grandparents are still disgusted with the idea that I would date outside of my race, but its ok because I am comfortable with who I am. I am also very proud of my parents for opening there eyes to the 21st century. Since then they have also become more understanding of things such as gay marriage, different religions, and inter racial dating in general. I see a lot of my parents in this story, but I am glad they were able to except me and my choices.
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Good blog! I know what you mean about family not accepting your boyfriend who is outside your race the different religion yes I have. I have been close to having a relationship with someone who is not my race. I just already know my uncle will never accept it. Mainly since he lives with me it is even worse. You are lucky your parents and the rest of your family got to know your boyfriend and saw your happiness with him. My uncle has not changed his views for anyone. Not even for his own daughter because he has told her that he will disown her if she was to do something like that. I am happy your parents saw that and changed their minds about the gay marriage, religions and race. My parents are open about that well just the gay marriage they do not approve of. I like how you put in order to be happy you have to follow your heart. I like that because if you have to be happy with the choices you make. Oh man I have not had a relationship but I have had a guy best friend who was African American and my uncle did not accept him. He disliked him. I also had a time when my uncle did not accept one of my ex boyfriends because he was not Catholic he was Christian. I wish my uncle changed his view like your parents did. Hope you and boyfriend in your blog are still together.
ReplyDeleteI think it is really great that you had the courage to follow your heart even though you knew that it was going to be an issue with your family. It is so sad that some people have not been able to let you of some of those old fashion attitudes about race. It is great that your parents able to stay open minded for your sake though. It is too bad that more people, like your grandparents can not seem to do that. I think a lot of that has to do with age though. It seems like a lot those closed minded people seem to be older since they came from a time when the idea of interracial dating was so unacceptable. I’m sure it is hard to let go of an idea that you were brought up with, especially since it was supported for so much of your life by so many others. Hopefully someday the rest of your family will come around and respect your choices like your parents have. But if not, at least you have been able to be ok with your choices no matter what they think. It is so important that you don’t compromise your happiness to please others, and it seems like you are doing a good job of that!
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