"When I married my wife, Jennie, we were in love with little concern about how our racial differences would affect our relationship. But I hadn't anticipated the work it would take to be in an interracial couple. I'm Black, white and Jewish, and Jennie is Italian and Irish. Over our more than 10 years together, we've had tough discussions about being Black and white, how to raise our two multiracial children, and how to cope with biases among ourselves, our families and our community."
"With love and intention, interracial couples can thrive. But the journey will need to start with curiosity, says Nina Sharma, author of The Way You Make Me Feel: Love in Black and Brown. That means "being open to talking about one another's cultures, both sharing and asking." Here are four essential conversations to help you manage some of the toughest parts of being in an interracial relationship."
A Black, white and Jewish spouse and an Italian and Irish spouse navigated more than 10 years of marriage while addressing racial differences, biases, and parenting. Tough discussions included being Black and white, raising two multiracial children, and confronting biases within families and community. Challenges prompted growth but required years to learn constructive communication. Curiosity and openness about each other's cultures are essential starting points. Experts recommend early conversations about differences, language, experiences of othering, hair, family expectations, and power dynamics to prevent later conflict. Intentional dialogue helps create a shared family culture and enables interracial couples to thrive.
Read at www.npr.org
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