Image via Ebony Natural Rose & Iamkoream
We are living in a society where a lot of things were deemed as something unpleasant or unacceptable. When it comes to love, most people tend to find a better half with common similarities like race, origin, language and interests. For some, they blur the line between the race and get into relationship regardless of their difference in race, religion and culture. Being in an interracial relationship can be challenging and you’re bound to face a lot of criticism, both positive and negative.
However, there’s something we can all learn from mixed-race couples as they live with the concept ‘love knows no colour’. What matter most is the quality they find in each other. So, how do they make their relationship works despite the culture difference? Here are some of the tips we found from some successful interracial marriage!
1. Accept cultural difference
Everyone is different in many ways, but to make interracial relationships work, a couple should learn to both accept and respect different cultural practices. There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging the differences, in fact you can learn a little more about their culture and lifestyle too.
2. Don’t label
In an interracial relationship, one shouldn’t describe their partner with racist labels set by the society. There are often times when in an interracial relationship, one might use such terms jokingly. Although your partner may be fine with it, learn to draw a line as you do not want to offend anyone and seem insensitive.
3. Get support from family and friends
Getting support from your family and friends for your interracial relationship is really important for you and your partner. However, you must prove that you’re serious about your relationship and that race does not matter. Be weary of relatives or friends who may be unsupportive of your relationship.
4. Work together
Every kind of relationship will need both parties to work together to build them up. It is important for interracial couple to help each other so that one is not left out from making the relationship works. If you’re the only who is making effort to make the relationship works, communicate with your partner and let them know what your concerns are.
5. Be honest
If you’re uncomfortable with any extreme racist statements, stay calm and tell them how you feel about it and how wrong it is to assume someone based on the pasts. At the same time, you’ll have to respect their opinions as well because different people have different perceptions of the world.
6. Ignore racist statements
You can’t expect everyone to be as open as you, and people might not even noticed they’re being insensitive too. While you’re bound to hear some insensitive statement, learn to shrug it off.
7. Be proud
There’s no need to feel ashamed for dating someone who is from a different race. Be proud about how you feel about your partner and let everyone know how love knows no color.
8. Trust
Trust is an important aspect in every relationship. Although mixed-race couple may have differences in their culture, they can make it work because they have trust and they believe in each other, just like in any other relationship.
