An interracial relationship is when two persons of different races are in a relationship with each other. Interracial relationships has a colorful history that has impacted society in a variety of ways. It has become an increasing common type of relationship that was previously been deterred, frowned-upon, and even criminalized at certain points. Although today’s society has become more accepting towards interracial relationships, there are several ways in which interracial relationships are still seen as wrong.

One of the most commonly discussed and scrutinized types of interracial relationships is that between African Americans and white Americans. Due to the terrible history of racism and the perpetuation of the idea that Africans/African Americans were inferior to white Americans, it became increasingly more important to deter relations between the two races due to the belief in innate differences between the two. Although it is known that race is a social construct and has no biological merit, it has real social implications that impact everyday life and relationships. This can be seen in cases such as Loving v Virginia where banning interracial marriage was finally eradicated in from the law in 1967. The fact that banning interracial marriage was not removed until 1967 showed how important it was in society to keep race relations to a minimum.

The social implications of race still played a significant role in interracial relationships after interracial marriage was legalized. Although it was legally recognized, it was still socially frowned upon. As the United States became increasingly more progressive, the idea of interracial relationships increasingly became more acceptable. However, there are still factors impact these types of relationships including ideas of colorism, becoming a “traitor to your own people”, and the fundamental ideas of racism that has still permeated society despite the social acceptability of interracial relationships.

As an African American woman in an interracial relationship, I have become increasingly more aware of the impact society can have on a relationship. Situations such as being stared at when going out or feeling like I must defend my relationship to others has become something that I have noticed as a part of my relationship. Although race is not a factor to me and has no standing in my relationship, society has created factors that have inevitably made it a part of my relationship. Interracial relationships have become more common in society, but the negative feelings have not disappeared.