Interracial

Being an Asian-American, I often get the "What nationality are you?" question in the first encounter with someone and it's usually one of the first questions asked. It's usually not one of the questions I ask because I have a good sense of determining nationalities of people (probably because of my experiences with diversity). But in general, someone's race isn't a major factor in interacting with someone.

Having two China-born parents and me being constantly single, I get harassed by my parents about the type of woman I'm going to marry perpetually. (This question is only surpassed by the question, "Have you eaten yet?") Of course, my parents want me to be overjoyed by being with my significant other. But I know my mother would prefer a Chinese female not because she's racist but to able to have conversations with my imaginary significant other (without translations). I completely understand her perspective.

Finding someone is a numbers game and being selective by race makes absolutely no logical sense using pure numbers. I've had no luck in this area nor with the Powerball; I wonder which is more probable... It's hard enough finding that special someone and you don't want to make it harder. Interracial marriages were legalized nationally in 1967 and the number of them have increased every year since; interracial couples are quite common in the present-day. According to a Gallup poll this year, a record-high 87% of Americans approve of Black-White marriages (with 97% of Blacks' approving and 84% of White's). I'm not surprised by this number but am deeply disappointed by how low it is. As interracial couples increase in number, the more widely accepted it all be. As with most areas, they are always opponents (e.g. the Flat Earth Society).

It's going to be interesting in the next few generations to see the number of interracial people increase in the future (especially how the Census and other race researchers will handle it and how race will continue to play a role in society (e.g. college admissions)). In many people's opinions, interracial children grow up to be very attractive. But everyone is attractive in their own distinct way! So when my parents ask what type of woman I want to marry, I answer "A woman that loves me." and sometimes to add light hearted entertainment I add, "And one that will take me."