What about interracial relationships?

Last updated on: March 25, 2010 at 12:13 pm by Natasha Helfer

What about interracial relationships? 2010-03-25T12:13:00-05:00 Natasha Helfer

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I have been reading your blog for the last few days and I’ve gotten some really good information. I think it’s a great resource thanks.
I have some questions about some things that go along with attraction. I know some of these may sound petty or even wrong but they are real issues with me.
Recently I’ve been in contact with a girl by means of the internet. We haven’t met but plan to soon. I like her a lot. She has told me she loves me and wants to start a family with me.
She isn’t a member of the church but said she is willing to join it if it means being with me. The real problem I have is that I find her attractive, yes -but there are other factors as well.
She is from a mixed race (half African, half White American). I know love can put aside all differences but at the same time this would cause stress on both of us. Not only culturally but children, my family (she has no family really), etc. Some of my family members are a little less open to other races as I am. I know family is something that can be dealt with but my family is very close. I was just wondering if there was some way to overcome this issue?
I also know that she was raised by her grandmother who is a native African woman. The cultural differences have already been made clear in our limited communications.
I have openly told her about my feelings on these subjects and she doesn’t care. She is willing to wait for me to overcome my issues. I plan to go forward with our relationship and see how well we get along once we have met in person. I look forward to it.
I have prayed concerning this and have felt good about it. I just still am struggling to overcome some of my anxiety over the subject. Am I wrong to worry about such things? Am I over thinking this?
I just feel if I go forward with the relationship a lot of stress will become of it. She is currently in Africa caring for her sick grandmother and will return to the states soon. She was raised in the states.
I also feel as if I would be her sole support socially. She has no real friends and her only family is on another continent.
Any advice would be appreciated.

First of all, I don’t consider anything that is asked on this blog as “petty or wrong.” I’m glad you’re reaching out and I think your questions/concerns are legitimate to your situation.

Finding love through the Internet is a new mating process that is increasing in popularity and has been for the past 10-20 years. As with any new process, we struggle to figure out its implications and “rules” of behavior as we embark on unchartered territory. One of the positives of the Internet is the decrease of geographical and cultural boundaries. This has a great impact on the “pool” available to those who are dating. Once upon a time, people were greatly apt to marry someone who lived within a 10-20 mile radius. Our world today is much more global, as is our church, and people are meeting, falling in love or beginning friendships with those not of their culture, race or even religious faith at a much grander scale than ever before. There are many wonderful things about this – the main one being increased tolerance for others different from ourselves.

However, as with anything, there are challenges that couples in interracial, intercultural, or interfaith relationships should be aware of as they make the decision to make a life together:

Unfortunately there still remain many stereotypes or “attitudes” towards mixed race relationships – this can depend greatly on the geographical area you live in. The best way to deal with this issue is to see it as ignorance and un-Christlike behavior. It may take patience at times, the willingness to not be overly sensitive and the willingness to be a voice, example and educator to those around you. Be clear with friends and family members that if they want to enjoy the benefits of a relationship with you and your wife (if you were to get married), that any type of racism/bigotry will be addressed and not tolerated. Because of deep seeded beliefs/cultural bias, some people may not even be aware that their behavior is racist. That is why I encourage open communication before writing people off.
With different cultures and faiths there usually come different traditions, parenting styles, conflict/problem-resolution styles and even romance styles. As with any relationship, communication will be a key element for success.
It will be of great importance once children are born, to engender in them a sense of pride for all aspects of their ancestry and subsequent personhood (i.e. color of skin, cultural tradition and history, etc.). Sometimes within the same family, children’s skin tone can be of different color shades. Communication and normalizing of the family situation will be important in engendering strong self-esteem and a strong sense of family unity. It is also important to educate them on what they can expect from the outside world so that they are prepared to deal with insults or other ignorant behavior.

Here are some thoughts in regards to your specific situation:

It is normal to worry and “over think” when making the important decision as to your lifelong companion. In fact, it is good to be as objective as possible and be realistic about the pros and cons of the relationship. This is usually a difficult thing to do when we are “in love.” However, the more you discuss potential strengths and weaknesses as a couple, the more insight you will both receive as to your problem-solving styles, your compatibility, your attraction, your goals/dreams, etc. These are important things to be addressing during the dating process.
I encourage you to take the relationship to the next level – that of meeting as you mention – and see how you feel about each other once you are able to spend more time with one another. There is no need to hurry or rush into any decision.
Just because your love interest has “received an answer” and feels that you should marry, does not necessarily mean that this is your answer. It will be important for you to receive your own impressions and personal revelation regarding the decision as to whom you will marry.
I would discourage any conversion process that is based solely on the desire to marry. Many not of our faith don’t always understand the commitment needed to legitimately become a convert. I loved the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The fiancee in this case decides it is no big deal to go through the formal conversion process of his Love’s religion since he wants to respect her culture and her family’s wishes. This is a loving and giving response he had to their particular situation. Unfortunately, conversion into our religion is not that simple: it takes doctrinal belief and personal commitment that this woman may not be completely aware of. I would hope also that from your perspective, it would be more important for her to convert sincerely if that is what she chooses at some point, than to just want her to convert due to family and/or LDS social pressure. If you want to build a marital and family life based on LDS teachings, culture, church attendance and other LDS expectations then you need to be clear with her about what this means to you. But her beliefs should not be based on her feelings for you or vice versa. Conversion should be a deeply personal, spiritual and largely individual journey with God.
It is better to be aware of and recognize any cultural or racist biases you may have and be honest with yourself about them. In the desire many of us have not to be racist, we inadvertently hide uncomfortable feelings or thoughts (even from ourselves). To be able to overcome such thought processes we first need to identify them and identify how we want to progress. Asking ourselves the following questions may be helpful: Where do my biases come from? What lenses am I looking through (i.e. my parents?, my culture?, my education?) Are any of my biases based on evidence? Are they based on fear? Are they based on gospel teaching? How did Jesus Christ feel about and treat those of a different culture during His ministry? What can I learn from Him? How do my biases limit me? How do they protect me? Do I want this type of protection? How do I want to approach people of a different race, culture or faith? How do I want these same people to approach me?

With all this being said, I want to be clear that whether or not we marry within the same race, religion or culture – the fact remains that the two families from which two individuals come from are, in of themselves, two different cultures. We take a lot for granted when marrying within “sameness” that many times does not meet expectations. People assume certain things because of the labels we engender. Then come to find out, assumptions are not realities. It is important regardless of who we marry to be aware of the “culture” our spouse comes from, the “culture” we come from and how we are to integrate the strengths and weaknesses we bring to the table to in turn create a new found culture within the bounds of our new family and home.

As human beings, and therefore members of a same race, we will always have more similarities than we will have differences. It is only our natural reluctance to embrace any semblance of difference to ourselves that limits us in this ongoing struggle most of us have of seeing “others” as alien, scary, different, incompatible, etc.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy this wonderful season of your life as you strive to find the one you will choose to spend your future with!

I would welcome any input from couples who find themselves in an interracial or intercultural relationship to comment on challenges you’ve faced, how you’ve faced them, advice for others and strengths you see that have come to your family due to your differences.

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