Preparing for Interracial Love: Do You Have It In You?
Relationships are a valuable part of your life. However, it is important to be ready to commit and handle a relationship in a mature manner. With interracial relationships, there are a few additional factors to consider. Below are some things to evaluate to see if you can handle them when it comes to loving someone whose skin is a different color.
Be Respectful
In an interracial relationship, each person has their own values, experiences and outlook on life. It is important that you respect each other and the qualities that you each bring to the table in the relationship. It is also important to let the other person know that you respect them, even when you face disagreements and issues with others who don’t view your relationship in a favorable light.
Communicate
Talk to each other. This is key in any relationship. However, with interracial dating, talking can make the difference in ending the relationship or transitioning to a point where you understand each other very well.
Ask to Make Sure You Understand
There will be some things that you both run into that you don’t understand. Don’t assume you can figure it out on your own. Avoid uncomfortable situations by talking about differences in your cultures. If you still don’t understand a point, don’t be afraid to ask more questions until you do understand.
Consider Your Attributes and Your Family’s Reaction
People who are considering an interracial relationship should evaluate their own mental readiness. Yes, you may really love this person that happens to have a different skin tone. However, that does not mean you are mentally ready to handle judgment and taunting from other people. You may not be ready to be patient with outright ignorance or be able to brush off rejection from friends and family for your choice in a significant other.
Your family is a big deal. Consider if they will be able to accept someone who is from another ethnic group. Can they expand their minds and be flexible in the culture so as to include someone with different beliefs and traditions? If so, then that is wonderful. If not, you need to consider whether you will be able to distance yourself from your family to maintain your relationship in a healthy way.Prepare for the Blowback
If you decide that your family is going to be welcoming to someone of another religion, the next step is preparing yourself for all the people that won’t be so welcoming. They are out there, and when you are in an interracial relationship, you are guaranteed to run into them.
Prepare yourself at home for these situations. Have a positive response ready for the most brutal negative and judgmental comments. Try to be a positive influence and be educational, but you need to also be prepared to be ignored. If you can’t get through to these people, it is smart to just ignore them and continue to live your life as you see fit.
