EFFECT OF INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE ON WHITES:
Marriage is an important part in a
person’s life. It’s the time where a person has to decide who to spend the rest
of their life with. It is not an easy decision and it has to be carefully
thought throughout. Marriage is all ready an important aspect in a persons
life, however there are times where a person can not marry the person they love.
As we know as soon as the white colonists settled in America slaves
were brought from Africa. These slaves provided free labor and the white people
did not have to work the harsh and painful jobs. As time passed black people
began to fight for their right and Northern Abolitionist began to fight for
black rights as well. The Civil War began and laws were passed to guarantee new
rights which black people did not have before. The 13th, 14th and 15th
amendments guaranteed rights such as the right to vote, the right to own land,
and the right to have a job. Even with those rights African Americans did not
have the same equal rights as other "white" Americans.
Being an African American living in the United States was never
easier. However the time period of the 1950's and 1960's was a very hard time
for African Americans. White people knew that they could not keep the two races
from mixing. They always knew that one day these two races would join each
other. Whether this mix would be in marriage, in a friendship or at a job,
whites tried to do prevent these two races from mixing.
If you take a look at American History during the Civil War, race had
an impact and a huge affect on the white race. Strong will and belief had
divided the country into two different parts. These parts differed in opinion.
As we know the South wanted to keep slavery in effect and the North fought to
abolish slavery. This disagreement affected America and affected not only
blacks, but whites as well. The Southern whites realized that there were other
white people who had different opinions then them. That began to shape what
America is now in days. That is why there are still many parts of the country
which are strongly prejudice.
During the 1950's, white politicians did everything in their power to stop
the two races from mixing. They strongly argued for segregated facilities, like
bathrooms and schools, which made it even more difficult to meet and experience
a new culture. By the 1950's, white American citizens realized that their plan
for segregation would now have trouble working. They also knew that interracial
marriage between
blacks and whites was close to effect.
This realization affected them in a great way. Their attitudes changed even
more and they became more and more racist.
Most
states banned marriage between blacks and whites which made it almost impossible
to marry someone outside the racial boundary. As we have heard in our
interview from Mrs. Betty Hoard, most couples that were different races were
looked upon as the "outcast" of society. Many times the parents of the "white"
race did not even know who their son or daughter was marrying. When the parents
did find out, even many months later, they objected to the idea. As we have
heard, Mrs. Hoard had witnessed a very hard and painful time during her years of
marriage. Her mother had threatened to disinherit her from all their estate and
wealth.
Not only did families threaten to disinherit their child for marrying a
person from a different race the also would not speak to their child ever
again. These differed opinions led too many torn apart families. Mothers and
daughters would not talk because of race as well as fathers and sons. Such torn
families left a great impact on the people who witnessed the hardships and this
fact changed their lives.
Interracial marriage affected white
people to the point where they began to question many things. As one example
was provided by Mrs. Hoard, the clerk at the City Hall, asked her, "Are you sure
you want to do this." He asked her knowing what the outcome might be of such an
alliance. Doubting was not the only affect that interracial marriage had on
white people. White people began to commit serious actions to prevent
interracial marriage. Written in The Chicago Tribune on June 7 1954, a white
girl was planning to marry a young, black man. Their professor at the college in
which they attended, was expelled for trying to break them apart. The affect of
interracial marriage impacted white people in an enormous way.
America and the white race have come a long way since the first time they
have brought slaves to this country. Now, African Americans are guaranteed the
same rights as everyone else and are treated the same. Interracial marriages
have become more and more popular as the years went on. Couples such as Mrs.
Betty Hoard and her husband set a very good example which other
interracial couples can follow. However, our county is still very racially
distinguished. Chicago is one of the cities in which communities are racially
told apart. It is not that big of a problem because everyone is granted the
same rights, however the dividing line still exists.