Argumentative essay on interracial relationships (Essay Sample)

Bonface Ngalu Writ 101 Tutor 19 November 2013 Argumentative essay on interracial relationships The issue of interracial relationships is complex, diverse and complicated, thus forming fodder for debates in various sectors. People hold opinions on this subject, thus raising the question: Yesteryears and today are interracial still a taboo in the 21st century? Claim - Although it may appear that interracial relationships are becoming more prevalent and accepted today, people continue to hold many of the same prejudices that others have established over the decades. It is true that interracial relationships are more accepted, but many people do not believe that all races are equal and largely choose romantic relationships within their same race. The principle underpinning this claim stems from the concept of ethnicity and tribal alignment. Since people come from diverse backgrounds, the socialization process is different and highly determines and shapes people’s opinions on relationships, love and marriage. It is a widely accepted notion that couples are more comfortable in relationships with people of the same race. This is because they want to “multiply” their generation and extend their kinship ties. Therefore, coupling among people of the same race becomes easy since it is less complex and does not involve a lot of traditions and commitments. This argumentative essay seeks to provide evidence to support this claim. Reason 1: There are many hardships faced by couples in interracial relationships Evidence 1: The movie “Who’s coming to dinner” by Stanley Kramer clearly displays various scenes capturing the many hardships the people in interracial relationships experience. For instance, Joey’s father Matt Drayton is deeply offended with her relationship with a person from a race he considers as inferior. He goes on to tell Joy “over 100 million people in the country are likely to be shocked, offended and appalled with her relationship. Further, he cautions her that the two of them will be forced to ride out for the rest of their lives because their relationship is not perceived well by the society” (Tristar Home Video n.p). This evidently depicts the challenges that people in interracial relationships endure to make it a success. Just like Joey, many couples of different races are perceived negatively up by the community since they have different backgrounds. However, relationships should not be pegged on race; instead couples should be given all the freedom to enjoy their union since there is a lot to gain in cultural diversity. Evidence 2: In the short story “Say yes” written by Tobias Wolff, a husband and his wife Ann are discussing on the significance of race when it comes to relationships and marriage. In the short story, the Ann argues that race should not be a factor when people are coming together as a couple. However, the husband disagrees saying that race exceptionally significant. His sentiments are expressed in his words “how can one totally understand someone who comes from a different race” (Charters 874). The husband argues that whites should not intermarry with blacks because they will never understand each other since they come from different cultures. The story goes on to depict various arguments between the wife and her husband and the conversation ends prematurely. Ann is visibly angered with her husband’s sentiments and views of interracial marriage as expressed in the emotions she portrays. For instance, she pinches her lower eyebrows, carelessly washes the dishes, flips pages of a magazine loudly, and biting her lower lips. However, as the story closes, the husband is seen showing concern for his wife and apologizes for having an opposing view. He realized that he has hurt her feelings and promises to make up for it. He even confesses “I would marry you no matter what race you came from” (Charters 873). Thus, the two evidences above prove a critical point that couples in interracial relationships endure various challenges to survive. Furthermore, if the couple is not strong and principled, some may end separating as a result of societal pressure. Reason 2: Though widely accepted, interracial relationships are still considered abnormal Evidence 1: In the short story “Say yes” written by Tobias Wolff, which was published 18 years after Kramer’s film, various themes of interracial relationships are portrayed. Interracial relationships are still considered an emotive and divisive issue in society. In the story, Ann’s husband is believed to be harboring racist ideas behind closed doors. However, to the outside world, he is regarded as a caring and a great family man. When a neighbor enters the house, Ann’s husband is found bandaging her hand after she had been hurt, further, the husband head to the kitchen to continue cleaning dishes. In that sense, the neighbor thinks that Ann’s husband is so caring without prior knowledge of what had transpired before (Charters 876). However, Ann’s husband mentions the fact that white and blacks should not intermarry because they come from different cultures. The husband says “a person from their culture cannot understand a person from our culture” (Charters 875). The main theme in this story is superiority of one race over another in relationships. In spite of the fact that Ann tries to make his husband understand that all races are equal, he maintains his stand, thus indicating that interracial marriages will continue to face hostility. Evidence 2: In her article “Marriage, a history” Stephanie Coontz provides a historical analysis of the evolution of marriage since the 17th century till the present age. According to Coontz, enlightenment has brought about a whole new idea of marriage and love, thus making it an accepted phenomenon. She states “in the older times parents used to make pre-arranged marriages for their children so as to fulfill the family’s emotional needs” (143). As a result of such arrangements, parents did not find partners for their children outside their race, hence trivializing the concept of racism. However, things changed during the 18th century because children became more enlightened. As a result, people are able to make “personal choices, thus replacing pre-arranged marriages and people were encouraged to marry for love and not money or any other reason” (Coontz 145-146). This development has revolutionized marriage as both the husband and wife take up a new role in the family. Reason 3: Racism will always be a common occurrence in interracial relationships. Evidence 1: In the movie “Who’s coming to dinner” by Stanley Kramer, the concept of racism is clearly demonstrated. Joey Drayton who comes from a liberal upper class American home find it extremely difficult to introduce her boyfriend John Prentice; a black person in her family. Joey’s parents Matt and Christina Drayton find openly reject John as their future son-inlaw because he is from a different race. During the dinner, that evening Matt says “you cannot completely understand a pers...