Interracial couples, the past is the present Part 2 - 7.27.2007.2

Continued from Interracial couples, the past is the present Part 1...

With all the advances and changes that have occurred since the Civil Rights Movement in the mid-60’s, social change has been the best and worst of things. The youth of today use terms that were used 40 years ago as a rally cry to lynch and beat African Americans. There are more African Americans in the middle class, owning and running businesses. We have seen 2 Secretaries of State, and now a serious contender for the Presidency of the United States that is Black. Yet, for all the mostly younger people that date with no barrier from color of skin, there still is anger and dislike of the concept on both sides.

In 1972 Kitty had to move 7 states away, and was disowned from her family, as was her husband, just to be safe. In 2007 a heralded star of the Fiesta Bowl has to have the same type of fear. Why?

Not only why, but what does it mean? I’m sure that not everyone that is against interracial marriages, or dating, would kill over it. But some obviously still would. Not everyone would disown their family memebrs over this, but some still do. Why is it not enough to be human and in love?

I know some women that I have dated in the past find this to be a terrible sin. They equated it with betraying the race. I have known several Black Men that have said the same. I have known many White men that have directly told me they respect me, would work for me, were clients of mine, would defend me versus others attacking me on the basis of my race, and stated clearly they would never let their sister date me (and yet for some I managed millions of their money with complete discretion and autonomy).

Personally I don’t really care, but perhaps millions of others do. A minority of them feel so strongly as to consider murder. Yet how many of the youth of today feel there is no racism any longer. How many state that all the playing fields are even. Perhaps they just haven’t run into a situation, or did not recognize it because obviously it still exists.

America will continue to be divided and have issues while views and actions over interracial couples exist. That does not mean I think everyone must be integrated, nor segregated in their relationships. I think people need to be themselves and live. Live without the fear of violence, and perhaps death just because of how they are with.

We can never be a nation indivisible until the response to the quote by Morpheus I opened this with can be countered by another quote from The Matrix Revolutions,

“And some things do” – Niobe

Interracial couples, the past is the present - 7.27.2007.1

"There are some things in this world, captain Niobe, that will never change." – Morpheus From the Matrix Reloaded

Back in the early 1970’s I recall meeting a friend of my mother, a woman from the South. I recall her for many reasons, her nickname, her personality, and her husband. At the moment I’ll share a bit about her marriage.

As I mentioned, ‘Kitty’ was a woman from the South that moved to New York City when she got married. Neither she, nor her husband, had family in the City. They didn’t move for a better job or to gain a better education. They left the South because it was the safe thing to do.

Kitty and her husband were an interracial couple (they were married to the day that Kitty died of cancer and a bad hospital – well over 25 years after I first met them). That may not sound like a big deal in 2007, but in 1972 it was. That isn’t very long ago, and since that time things have changed, and then again as Morpheus states some don’t.

Case in point is the Fiesta Bowl. It was a great game and I wrote a bit about it. I recall that it was the first post for 2007. After the very close win, by the undefeated Boise State Broncos, there was a bit of a surprise for all the nation to see. Ian Johnson, the running back responsible for the overtime win, went over to his girlfriend and proposed with ESPN and other national television cameras catching every second. Chrissy Popadics said yes, without hesitation. They are an interracial couple.

Fast forward to today, and it’s being reported that death threats are part of the negative comments being hurled at the soon-to-be newlyweds. So vicious and troubling are the threats, security is required for the wedding.


This is hardly a unique case. I know of other interracial couples that are also running into difficulty like this today as well. Not to mention that back over a year ago I wrote a post about Ms. Sanaa Lathan in the film Something New. Since that time I have noted the continuous views of that post, though only 1 woman has bothered to comment. I have seen that every month, interracial dating is on of the topics my blog is found under ever month. To be exact, the terms being searched are accusatory and negative towards interracial dating.

Continued in Part 2...

The early upset of the Fiesta Bowl - 1.1.07

What a start to the New Year. I must say this was a day of surprises to me. One was an upset the other was upsetting. Let me explain. I’m not a big fan of college football. That said I have occasionally watch how my Rutgers Football team has done for the last 20 years. This year they finally got the bowl game and recognition they deserve, and has been promised since I went to school there. But this is not what I am speaking of.

Boise State played in the Fiesta Bowl tonight against Oklahoma. I’m a fan of neither team and knew little of the history of either team. Luckily for me a friend of mine was aware. Boise State deserved to play Ohio as an undefeated team, but instead they played Oklahoma. It was a good game, which Boise dominated. Like another friend of mine watching the game I agree that the announcers, and the referees were biased against Boise. The 2 pass interference calls in the 4th quarter, with fewer than 3 minutes to play, were absolutely wrong. The announcers seemed resigned to see Oklahoma win. Thankfully the Boise State coach was not listening to either.

If you fell asleep or failed to see the end of the game you missed out on what may well become a classic college football game. With the game tied (due to bad calls by the referees in my opinion) the game went into overtime. Oklahoma seemed to have deflated the opposing spirit with a one play overtime touchdown. But Boise had some tricks left. After fighting for the initial first down, they moved forward and set up a wonderful series of plays. The bold touchdown they scored was impressive, but it was only a setup for what was to come. While I and my friends were screaming for the extra point to tie the game, and to rely on the defense that had played extremely well versus Oklahoma the coach called the team over for a special play. With the quarterback going into motion the ball was thrown by a receiver for a touchdown. Who knew that was in the playbook.

I believe it is called a statue of Liberty play. What I do know is that it was a superbly executed behind the back off-hand hand off to get the 2 point conversion and the win. Again I say who knew that was in the playbook. There was no point in which Boise was not stepping up and playing like they were going to win. The special plays they pulled showed that they were ready and determined to win. If I were a fan of either team I think I would have been going insane watching the end of this game. And if I were betting this is the dream over that you would want. If you stayed up, you have to agree it was worth it. If you missed the game, shame on you. And I have to ask, why didn’t they deserve to play against the other undefeated team, Ohio?