Frank Talk About Race

Some of the comments from the discussion on the American Love Stories Web site (https://www.pbs.org/lovestories):

Fulululu: In watching this program, I was able to put away the idea of watching races intermingle and just, sort of, watch this “couple.” What strikes me is the idea that all relationships, beyond pigment, seem to slide into familiarity and, I guess, “romantic-less behavior.” So, am I asking too much to see more love from Bill to Karen/from Karen to Bill, or is this just the state of timeless love in general? Or is it truly the racial dynamic affecting the longevity?

Marlene: Voyeurism has no place in public television. If a couple is not happy with one other in private, it is reflected in the way they relate to each other in public. I believe that very few people are fooled into believing that a couple’s relationship is rosier than it actually is.

Bigt: I encourage you and others to step into the realm of another race and culture and learn--don’t be afraid to offend. The greater offense would be to stay in our little comfortable bubbles and wonder. . . .

Jess: I think in some ways I can understand the anger an African American woman might feel when she sees me, a white woman with my African American man. . . . And some people don’t want to deal with the strain and stress of interracial dating.

Serenity: I am about to marry a white male. . . . We both feel differently about the issue because of our backgrounds. . . . I remember the evil stares and the way I felt about myself when other children would stick out their tongues at me or roll their eyes. So I don’t want my children feeling the same way when I have them. This is why I want to live in the city.

Zoey: Discrimination is everywhere, even in the cities, because racists are everywhere. In some context, our interracial children experience some form of racism in their lives. Cities may provide more acceptance, but there is no utopia.

Arley: I lived in a complex as the only black on a whole block of Koreans. I stood out. Had other little kids touch my skin, face and hair and just stand in awe (I pray not fear) of me. I meant no offense, so I hope you didn’t take any.