What's in a Race? Views on Interracial Dating

Often times, especially in the vast complexity of the modern era, it seems as if the clash of cultural norms can be a difficult problem to resolve. The taboos of one culture are often markedly different than those of others, and when questions of morality arise, who is to say what's right and what's wrong? Certain issues, though, while sometimes highly contentious, seem as if they have a true moral solution. One such issue is that of interracial dating. While there are many people that argue that the practice of interracial dating or marriage is immoral, unnatural, and generally wrong, the strength of any such argument rests on nothing of substance. The fact of the matter is that, for many reasons, there is simply nothing about interracial dating that makes it an issue suitable for a society to censor in any way.

First of all, and quite importantly, it would be apropos to further discuss the arguments that are made against interracial relationships and the type of individual who tends to make them. Arguments against interracial dating are generally based on ignorance, fear, and racism, with an occasional argument being made that has at least some sort of logical merit. Within such arguments against relationships of mixed racial background one will find terms such as, "be with your own kind," and racial epithets. One will also find that those who argue against interracial relationships tend to be less educated. Many of their arguments stem from fundamental religious beliefs or plain hatred of that which is different. In fact, one of the greatest proponents of banning interracial marriage was Adolph Hitler and his group of Nazi peers. It hardly seems necessary to state why arguments that were supported by such people are automatically cast in a dubious light today.