Interracial relationships spark social debate

Juniors Xavyer Austin and Justine Burns cuddle together on the bench between the A and B wings. It’s after school and the couple won’t be going to Austin’s house. Since Burns is Mexican and white, Austin’s mother, who is black, disapproves of the idea of her son being in an interracial relationship. When it comes to relationships, Austin’s mother believes that blacks and whites should only date within their own race.

“My mom was brought up when the (society) wasn’t as accepting as we are now,” Austin said.  To Austin and Burns it seems as though Austin’s mother doesn’t accept Burns because she looks different. But neither Austin nor Burns feel that their races matter.

“Race does not set boundaries that would set you back from love. Whether it’s the length of your hair, the color of skin, nothing can hold you back from love,” Austin said. The relationship that the two have formed isn’t based off of the color of their skin, but something more.

Burns agrees with Austin, saying that “race doesn’t affect how we love each other.” To Austin’s mother, Burns’ skin color is a burden that prevents a relationship to form between them.

Though they can’t have the relationship that Burns wants, she accepts it because the relationship with Austin is what matters. “It kind of hurts knowing I’ll never be able to have that close relationship with my boyfriend’s mom.”

Junior Jessica Acosta’s parents also do not agree with interracial dating. They wouldn’t approve of her having an interracial relationship because they feel they need to protect their daughter from anyone who isn’t Mexican, anyone who isn’t like them.

“My family likes to keep it in their own race, their own people,” said Acosta. Unlike Austin’s mother who doesn’t approve of the differences the two share, Acosta’s parents don’t like how other races act. They are afraid that people within those races won’t treat their daughter fairly. However, Acosta says that “you can’t fight what you feel.”

Seniors Jasmine Tahod and Steven Ybarra aren’t fighting what they feel. Their relationship is completely supported by their families.

For Tahod and Ybarra, what’s different is that most people accept that the fact that they aren’t the same because they are compatible. “People actually like us together, we complement each other,” Tahod said. She is Filipino and Mexican and Ybarra is Mexican and white.

Ybarra feels that race should never be a concern in a relationship. “I don’t see race. It’s about you as a person.” Though each couple has a different situation, Ybarra also feels that “race shouldn’t be a part of how you feel or what makes you happy.”

Senior Sandra Ponce also appreciates the mixes of races within relationships. “You can be happy with anyone. It doesn’t matter if (someone) is black, white or Chinese.”

For some, the color of their skin is nothing more than just that, a color. “Important qualities that make you who you are have nothing to do with race. It’s what is on the inside that matters,” Social Studies Department Chair Audrey Weir-Graham said.

Weir-Graham, who married somebody within her own race, supports people being in  interracial relationships.

“Love knows no color boundary,” she said.