,1.11111.11 A 21.1 ‘>‘*2
Opinion
Jungle Fever^ Anyone?
Examining Attitudes Toward Mixed Relationships
Five members of a.p.p.l.e.s, a
service-learning program, recently
conducted an experiment about
interracial relationships. Javier
Alvarez, Rapunzel Phair, Amy
Moyers, Kathy Reniers and Morgan
Bates submitted the following
article, which was part of theirfinal
class assignment.
Battling racism is such a difficult
task that the hardest part sometimes
is deciding where to start.
Racism is so deeply engraved
intooursociety that theonly logical
way of combating it is slowly and
consistently, so that in time,
positive steps towards abolishing
racism will become apparent
In a past issue of the Black Ink
[November 11.1991] the subject of
interracial relationships was
introduced. Since then, many
questions have surfaced.
How do black women feel about
white women with “their” black
men? How do white women feel
about competing with black
women? How do guys feel? Why
do you feel this way? These are
excellent questions which we need
you as readers to answer for us. As
(Professor Molefi) Asante says we
can mix without melting. Don’t
you agree?
There has to come a time when
we can see people as individuals
and not merely as part of a particular
race. We are concerned that
interracial relationships are a
sensitive issue on thiscampus. Why
is this so?
In the past few weeks, four
fellow peers and I became involved Square Mall.
in an experiment on the
controversial issue of interracial
relationships. The experiment was
done in an effort to observe the
reactions and attitudes of people
toward interracial couples. Our
purpose was to observe any
prejudiced reactions we received
by having mixed couples eat dinner
or walk around at Durham’s South
By recording these reactions and
publicizing them, another goal was
to raise awareness about interracial
relationships and to show how skin
color makes no difference when
involved in a relationship.
Before going to the mall, we
separated the group into interracial
couples. The whole idea was rather
humorous. However, the underlying
mission was very serious.
During our hour and a half stay,
we found ourselves under the
curious scrutiny of other shoppers.
When one couplc walked arm and
arm into J. Riggins clothes shop, a
middle-aged black man followed
them with a visible expression of
disgust. Simply walking by people
sitting on benches made heads turn
and incited whispers among other
shoppers.
Meanwhile, another couple
gained the attention of two older
men who stared and whispered
into each other’s ears. Of course we
do not know what all of our fellow
mall-goers were saying or even if
they were talking about us.
However, the looks were not very
friendly and we doubt that the two
old men on the bench were
discussing recent baseball scores
when we passed by.
While wo did not experienc ';
any sort of physical hatred towardj
us nor racial slurs, we somehowj
had the sense of being stared at a ;|
though we had something to
ashamed of. All in all, our littJe,^
admittedly unscicniific, experiment
made it rather apparent that man;
people in our society sense-
something wrong in a romantii
relationship between blacks anci
whites.
Through this experiment and ihc
help of Black Ink as a tool ol
expression, wc hope to have
fostered some awareness of the
unnecessary prejudice toward
interrracial relationships.
As we head toward the next
century, this kind of rank prejudice
should not be taking place
Hopefully, our project will spiirk
people to wake up and seek
knowledge on the subject of
interracial relationships so that
eventually we can erase the ugly
looks and expressions at the mall
If I Were A Drum Major and Other MLK Wishes
By Carol Brown
Guest Columnist
If I were a choir director, I’d
teach my people to sing the songs of
freedom, until all the other songs
were forgotten and our melody
spilled over the lips of all humans.
Our cry would be heard worldwide,
reverberating in the ears of all,
creating a tingling sensation of
warmth in their hearts.
If I were a symbol, I’d represent
unity and struggle for juslice. Just
the sight of me would fill the eyes
and hearts of my believers, whose
emotions would rush forth to be
expressed in their deeds and their
rallying call for freedom.
If I were a dream, I’d be one of
peace and acceptance, not only
between people of different shades
of color, but also between people of
various backgrounds with
contrasting opinions and
preferences. Differences and non
conformity would be investigated
and ultimately celebrated as we
realized that essentially we’re all
the same in our differences.
If I were a drum major. I’d lead
my people from the tops of the
mountains to the bottom of the sea,
marching endlessly over every
obstacle until my cause was won.
And when my legs gave out, or if 1
became unable to give my all, I
would pass the baton on to those
with more strength than I, so that
the cause should not die, but
continue marching foward at full
speed.
America will never forget how
its history was radically altered by
Dr. King and his power of
communication. He crafted the
language like a master potter who
carefully molds his clay into
beautiful forms to be praised by all.
He showed the world how words
and deeds change hearts.
Somehow, amazingly, we have
forgotten the lessons he taught. We
in the African-American
community have moved away from
the communication, away from the
rallying cries of freedom,away from
the uplifting spirituals that brought
us all, fora brief a moment, together
in spirit and in purpose. There now
exists an immensegulfofanimosity
within our community, which will
eventually lead to the destruction
of our race. Does this frighten
anyone? Does this sadden anyone?
The baton has been dropped.
We’ve carelessly kicked it aside,
foolishly believing that with the
scrawl of a president’s hand across
a bill making it law coupled with
the token integration of a few
places, the finish line was reached
and the race was over.
As wc celebrate the life and the
accomplishments of Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. we will undoubtedly
praise his works, his courage and
his determination. We’ll sigh and
become nostalgic as we think of the
millions who marched for a cause
that was their life. Will a day of
celebration, of remembering his
greatness somehow bring us
magically together? For an instant
on this day, will we as a community
feel his spirit and be united in it?
The African-American
community needs not one drum)
major, but everyone working
together to re-leam and recapture^
this great power ofcommunication^
It is imperative that we take the*
initiative to talk with one anothef
and to hear the calls of our brothera
and sisters.
Wc shall begin with a simpia
“Hello,” and we shall not stop uniia
every little black girl and boy kno'- ^
and appreciates something abouB
their rich heritage. We cannoi
afford to stop the words, which,
once found, will come forth froi'ij
hearts filled with pride. And it'S
with this pride that our race will bo
restored to its greatness and oi f
dream of peace will conie true.
Brown i.s a junior biology rnajo^
from Winston-Salem.