creators home
creators.com lifestyle web

Recently

Farewell Dear Larry: You are the sanest man in America! I look forward to your columns because I ALWAYS agree with your answers. Great work! Thanks for speaking the simple truth about all issues — racial, political, parental, common sense, etc. I often …Read more. Hate Groups Dear Larry: I want to forget for a moment that it is their constitutional right, because I detest the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and all other groups that preach hate. A long time ago, they came into cities across America without any protest. Now …Read more. Troubles With Raising Teenage Son Dear Larry: I am African-American and a single mother with three children, ages 15, 10 and 8. All of them are boys. I am having a lot of problems with them, especially the eldest. He argues with me about almost everything. He thinks he is the man/…Read more. How To Get Race Relations Back on Track Dear Larry: So many of my friends are upset with the way things are going, especially race relations. They are not saying anything openly, but among themselves there is constant complaining and fear. There is something simmering and brewing that …Read more.
more articles

Ethnically Speaking, March 7

Share Comment

Dear Larry: In this day and age, with a black president, one would think people would be more accepting of interracial relationships. I have a major problem. I am a 27-year-old white woman and in love for the first time in my life. I have dated a number of men, however my current boyfriend, who is 31 years old, is the finest man who ever lived.

He is courteous, thoughtful, handsome, educated and drop-dead sexy. I can't think of anyone who possibly could be any better. With all of that said, one would think my parents would be happy for my happiness. The opposite is true. My parents do not like my boyfriend, and the sole reason is he is black.

What really makes me upset is the fact that I had no idea they are racists. I have been going with my boyfriend for almost two years, and they never had said a word about his race. He has been over to our house numerous times, and my parents always have treated him with the utmost courtesy. They laugh together at things on the TV and discuss items in the newspaper. My father said he and my boyfriend have the same thoughts on politics.

I thought my parents were OK with our relationship until I mentioned that we had talked about getting married. That is when my parents revealed their true feelings.

They said they do not want a son-in-law who is black. They let me know they don't care whether we are living together and having sex, as long as we do not get married. They let me know the family on both sides would object because there are no blacks anywhere in the family tree.

Larry, I have cried myself to sleep for a week.

I am stunned, confused and don't know what my next step should be. I have talked with my boyfriend, but he does not render an opinion. He only says that this is a family issue and that he does not want to sway any decision on my part.

My girlfriend is a fan of yours, and she told me that I should ask you for your opinion. Forgive me for writing so much, but I thought you should have all the facts.

Please help me sort this out. My life is turned upside down. — Hurt

Dear Hurt: A typed letter that's four pages long and single-spaced is a bit long for my column. I only have a few column inches. I pray my edits properly reflect your views.

I agree with your boyfriend that what you do next is your decision. I believe that if you marry your boyfriend, you need to be prepared to be disowned by your family. Here is the question you should ask yourself: Can I live without my family? If your answer is no, do not marry him. Before you make a commitment with another boyfriend, get your family's blessings before you waste time dating.

If your answer is yes, make sure you and your husband's love is deep and abiding, because you may be alone for an extended amount of time.

Your question is not the first one I have answered on this issue. The facts indicate that interracial marriages are more enduring than same-race marriages. I also have found that grandchildren have a way of thawing even the worst racist's cold heart.

I will keep you in my prayers.

To find out more about Larry G. Meeks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.


Comments

4 Comments | Post Comment
This young woman has found a jewel of a guy - someone who doesn't try to influence her in this situation - who is willing to let her work through it. She already knows he loves her and is there for her but he is letting her understand what may happen if she does marry him. It is likely that her parents may love the grandkids and welcome the husband with open arms, but she shouldn't count on it. They may love the grandkids and shun him. I hope she marries him because of his character.
I can see how she is stunned at her parents' comments. There are no blacks in the family tree. Maybe they forget that if she lives with him and has sex, which they prefer over marriage, there may be quite a few interracial children in that family tree. Considering what that woman says about her boyfriend, that just may be the best thing that ever happened to it.
Comment: #1
Posted by: BB
Sat Mar 7, 2009 8:00 AM
I don't know if I'd want contact with family members - yes, including my parents - who were that racist. This kind of racism is even worse than the outright racial-slur slinging racism because it is closeted. Shame on the parents. I hope the young woman marries the man whom she loves and who loves her and who seems to be a wonderful guy.
Comment: #2
Posted by: Ariana
Sun Mar 8, 2009 11:26 AM
It does seem weird that her parents have welcomed him into their home and then turned on him when the subject of marriage came up. What did they think would follow their daughter seeing this man steadily for two years? Even though she may be subjected to this attitude from others, and as painful as it may be to lose her parents, I hope she stays with him. He sounds like a great catch, and the rest of the family may not share in her parents bigoted attitude.
Comment: #3
Posted by: Jon
Mon Mar 9, 2009 3:02 PM
Ariana, I'm with you. I had a similar experience when I was young. Not a relationship that went to the point of engagement, but a young man that was spoken highly of in our home until I made an offhand comment about how good looking he was. Suddenly he was an n word. Not long after a friend came by one day with her boyfriend and his cousin. We were sitting outside talking and when they saw the brown skins of the boyfriend and his cousin (Hispanics) the cursing started. They were ordered away with curses and racial slurs for no other reason than their ancestry.
It was ages before my parents and I regained any sort of decent relationship. Their stark and unreasonable bigotry totally destroyed my respect for them for the rest of their lives. I was able to regain some for different parts of their lives/accomplishments, but overall after that they had more my disgust and pity.
I am sure if they had been aware of my mixed heritage they would never have adopted me, but my darker blood doesn't show because of all the pale European stock with which it is blended.
Comment: #4
Posted by: moon
Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:03 AM
Already have an account? Log in.
New Account  
Your Name:
Your E-mail:
Your Password:
Confirm Your Password:

Please allow a few minutes for your comment to be posted.

Enter the numbers to the right:  
Creators.com comments policy
More
Larry Meeks
Mar. `11
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
27 28 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31 1 2
About the author About the author
Write the author Write the author
Printer friendly format Printer friendly format
Email to friend Email to friend
View by Month