White Women and Social Change

Was talking with my 87 year old uncle yesterday privately about his life and what he have seen that was significant in his long life. It was fascinating to talk with him. One thing he said that stands out for him is the increase in interracial "open" relationships that he said in his early days would have been forbidden. I wish there were more of his generation on this site to give a different perspective of history. He pointed out my own marriage in the family. Although increasingly other family members across the spectrum are dating and marrying outside the race, he pointed out that in the days prior to the 1960's it was forbidden for a white woman to be in the company of a black man. They were ostracized, put down, called nigger lovers (still do) and banished from families. He admires the white women of today for not letting others dictate to them on whom they marry, date, or have sex with which was the reason so many black men have died in the South in his time. I think women in general are stepping outside of the box in all races today regardless of family, culture, and societal mores. Women today want many things I think the one thing they want the most of a man despite his race is to be respected and loved. My uncle I believed wish he had the courage to step outside the box. He believes it's white women who are forcing this social change today.

 

Does he think it's the feminist movement in general that led to this, or some other change?

 

Women's liberation was about women wanting the freedom to express themselves without punishment like white men, who want that, as well and more. So, I wouldn't be surprised if it did.

 

I have talked with some older white women who were involved in civil rights movement and some said that there was some interracial contact but not much...it was much taboo...these were california college girls who went down south...when they got back to Berkeley they explored IR more

 

I definitely applaud those who step outside the box too, in terms of IR dating. I imagine WW must really catch it badly, and again, I admire their willingness to not let those close-minded individuals (many being friends, and relatives) hold them back. I guess it's the same for anyone decided to do IR dating.

I know that for myself I used to avoid IR dating because I didn't want to deal with the issues (from outsiders), and now I'm so happy that I've matured and followed my heart.

 

I imagine it has to be tough for people from close or large families, or people who are used to being popular or in the public eye, because their comings and goings are so scrutinized. If you're sort of marginal, you don't draw much attention, no matter what you do.