When it comes to things such as love, I hold a very open opinion. I believe that, although cliché, love holds no boundaries. It does not matter whether you are black, white, Asian, gay, lesbian, or bisexual. It doesn’t matter whether you are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, etc. Some people say that they are attracted to someone’s spirit rather then their appearance. I feel this type of love is more meaningful and usually tends to last the longest. That is real love.
The issue of love and race is still being debated today. Even though we are a country of freedom and a so-called “melting pot,” there are still these issues of mixed relations. Even friendships are criticized because of differences of race. Couples get stared at on the street when they hold each other’s hands.
A great example, taken from my Intercultural Communications class, is white women and black men. A black female student made the comment that white women keep taking all the “good” black, available men. However, a rebuttal comment was that black women rejected some of those black men who then turned to those who DID wish to be with them. They just happened to be white women. Some of those people on the streets who stare at these couples need to open their eyes a bit. Maybe the black man “tried it out” with people of similar race, and it did not work. These things happen.
On the other end, if the situation were reversed, and it was a black woman with a white man, the woman might even be cast out of her social circle for being “too white.” Based on statements from fellow students, many black women do not find white men attractive. Those that do tend to be the ones who grew up in a suburban neighborhood with mostly white people. I feel that what you look like on the outside should not limit you to who you love. It is about how you feel on the inside.
When it comes to religion, I feel the same as I do about race. Religion usually is not the entity of a person. There are other factors that make them who they are. If someone of a different religion can accept their partner’s religion and still love them, then good for them! I personally know couples that have varied religions and still love each other unconditionally. A Christian can love a Jew if they both accept and respect the other’s religion. There are functioning homes all over America that celebrate both Christmas and Hanukah. They find a way to make things work. Now perhaps, it might be difficult for a Rabbi and a Priest to form a solid relationship, but these cases are rare. Again, love is love. There is no gray to this. It is black and white (no pun intended).
Now, arranged marriages are quite different. Culturally and historically, it has been around for a long time. It is still happening today in many areas such as with Arabs. I believe women should be able to choose whom they marry. Marriage is no longer just about responsibility and respect. It is largely based on love. That is why many Arab women today are still trying to come to the United States. They want to be able to fall in love with whoever they want and not be in fear of getting killed for it! It is true, some arranged marriages have worked out great where both parties eventually did fall in love with each other. But shouldn’t that be like your parents setting up a blind date for you? Just let the relationship take its course instead of forcing marriage on people.
In a country that is founded on diversity, we should be embracing such a foundation after so many years. This is not the 60’s where segregation was still the normality. We are all the same on the inside. We should not allow color to affect our feelings. We are in a land of religious freedom. We can embrace another’s culture while still having our own. It is not such a difficult concept to comprehend. Like I said, love has no boundaries. I try to follow that rule as much as possible.
Melanie Peterson is a third year student at West Chester University majoring in Communication Studies. She can be reached at mp649178@wcupa.edu.