Interracial Marriage

    While searching through websites about Asian-American issues, I came across a website article dealing with Asians and interracial marriage.  The article states the facts about interracial marriage in the United States.  "Asian Americans engage in more interracial relationships than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States" (Interracial Marriage).  Interracial marriage between Asians and Caucasians was illegal in the United States until Perez vs. Sharp in 1948 (for California) and until 1967 for the nation.  Although interracial marriage for Asians was legalized long ago, the "negative perspective on such unions has been slow to change" (Interracial Marriage).  The negative concept does not just come from whites, where one might expect it to, but also from a traditional Asian perspective as well.  Interracial marriages between Asians and Caucasians started heightening during World War II when United States soldiers were stationed in asian countries near villages.  Many of the women were drawn to these different, intriguing white men.  The low economic conditions in these countries led these women to culturally different male figures.  Because of cultural differences these marriages were frowned upon during that time by the women's families and their society.  Although acceptance of interracial marriage by Asian families today has grown, "there continue to be difficulties because of cultural differences" (Interracial Marriage). 

   

 In the novel, Snow Falling on Cedars, an Asian man named Kabuo is put on trial accused of killing a white man.  

The trial takes place on a small island off the coast of Seattle post WWII.  The racial tension is high and the town is very small.  Other than the trial, there are other racial topics that are touched upon within the novel.  The town reporter, Ishmael, covering the trial, a middle-aged white man, takes us back into his memories.  This is where we discover his past relationship w

ith Kabuo's wife Hatsue.  The relationship was complicated because Hatsue was asian and interracial relationships were highly uncommon at that time.  Because of the racial tension between the two groups due to WWII, the couple was forced to hide their love for one another which also caused them to drift apart.  The relationship between Ishmael and Hatsue could be considered very similiar to the interracial relationships discussed in the article.  If the couple

 decided to display their love publicly, they would have endured ridicule from both sides: the asian and caucasian perspective.  The races intertwining was looked down upon because of cultural differences.  In my opinion, I feel that everyone can grow from learning about different cultures and that interracial relationships benefit both sides. It forces cultures to come together and learn about each other.  The differences they have must be put aside in order to gain the respect of someone they love.  As much as it may pain them to see their son/daughter with a person of a different race or even religion, family should always come first.

Interracial Marriage