Monday, 7/7/97 Mixed culture, no culture Assimilation of ethnic
backgrounds often leads to disappearance of distinctions
I am concerned about interracial relationships such as African
Americans marrying white Americans. Although it would be dogmatic
to assume that there is an absolute right or wrong choice to a
personal decision such as this, I simply suggest that there are
some important issues that need to be addressed to secure a healthy
and equal merger between the two cultures. There are unaccounted
dangers in store for the "minority" member involved in an
interracial relationship, as well as the challenges that the couple
will face as a result of defying social taboos. Although the
opportunity for cultural exchange is exciting and fruitful, many
interracial relationships are plagued with racism and stereotyped
fantasies. In the context of a society that is hostile toward
African Americans, an equal relationship between whites and blacks
is difficult at best. From the earliest introduction to race
relations, elementary school education establishes an unequal
relationship between blacks and whites. The history of the African
people in this country is shrouded by the legacy of slavery, which
has had debilitating effects. This fact is often overlooked by
"majority" members of such relationships. Adding to the damage of a
society that is undereducated about black Americans, the
civil-rights movement confounded the problem by choosing
assimilation as a path toward equal opportunities. In retrospect,
abandoning cultural characteristics that make us separate but
equal, the black community has rendered itself vulnerable to being
defined by stereotypes perpetuated by the media. As free as this
country believes itself to be, America does not encourage cultural
distinctions among "real" Americans. In the great American melting
pot, everyone is meant to abandon their cultural past in the name
of being American. Blacks who try to assimilate into the melting
pot will be sorely disappointed because American racism will not
allow racial distinctions to melt away. To expect a black partner
to abandon their distinctions as a black American is dangerous to
the future of black American culture. African American culture is
distinct, but it is not the exotic Beast of the fair beauty of
American culture as portrayed in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
This story, a perverted version of cross-cultural appreciation,
illustrates white fear of racial differences. The cursed Beast is a
symbol of Hollywood’s inter-cultural fantasy with the "unknown
other." This fairy tale connotes images that labels blacks as the
culturally inept Beast. The Beast (i.e. African Americans)
represent an exotic minority partner who is a stranger to the
customs of the "real" world. The Beast shares characteristics that
are common stereotypes of blacks, at worst violent, stupid and
ugly. Media images of blacks present images of over-sexed or
asexual freaks. Racist images of blacks are so reccurring that
character names have been assigned to the different types. Many
characters fit into the model of "Jezebel," the tempestuous African
American woman, and the tragic mulatto which are prevalent
stereotypes in contemporary literature and media. Images of black
men are also exploited, illustrated by the "Madinko" stereotype of
the virile black buck. There is a persistent image of lust and
temptation, from Olaudah Equiano to the supermodel Tyson. These
character images are often the backdrop of interracial
relationships. On the contrary, Belle is at best bright, peaceful
and beautiful, the "cream of the crop," and at worst peculiar and
rebellious. The Beauty and the Beast make efforts toward cultural
understanding and acceptance, but the biased perspective of one
assigns an unfortunate role for the minority partner. Interracial
relationships often become stages where partners act out these
bizarre dynamics, creating an environment that portrays the
minority partner as the objectified fantasy victim. Many white
partners act out the role of the adventurous rebel in their
interracial relationships. These stereotypes provide evidence for
some of the unguided curiosity that initiates some interracial
relationships. White and black partners may be keen to the intrigue
explored in "Beauty and the Beast" or to the connotations of sexual
mysticism associated with movies like Spike Lee’s "Jungle Fever."
The curiosity that mainstream liberal Americans attribute to
"exotic" cultures trivializes the integrity of African American
culture. It reduces the culture to a freakish fantasy experience
serving to fulfill the imagination of the mainstream. Often black
men choose white partners as a status symbol and black women chose
white partners for the potential of social or economic advancement.
Cultural differences are unique and important because assimilation
often equals cultural domination. To completely assimilate is to
acknowledge defeat. African Americans are subject to the
constraints of the colonizer’s language and many other established
cultural characteristics. The cultural distinctions maintained
articulate the heritage of our native land and our resistance to
cultural annihilation. The Disney film "Pocahontas" illustrates the
defeat following complete assimilation. Although the minority
partner in this tale has dignity and respect for her cultural
distinctions, her efforts to assimilate open the door for the
destruction of her culture. Interracial marriages have the
potential to increase social awareness and appreciation of black
culture and offer the opportunity to strengthen the characters of
both communities. At the same time, interracial relationships
increase assimilation, which serves to disseminate the black
community and promotes a disregard for black culture. Ajoa
Middleton Previous Daily Bruin Story Color lines not a barrier to
equality in interracial relationships, March 10, 1997