Interracial marriage in black and white

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Recently, the Pew Research Center published a study which provided the news media a perfect source for Valentine's week. You probably got to see a good share of articles and TV news regarding the interracial marriages topic. They all displayed happy couples enjoying the fact that 43% of Americans are embracing interracial relationships. Curiously, the couples presented to portray or give testimony about the topic were black and white. Seriously, what's with the black and white view still to this day? 

If you like, click the link above, for a simple recap of the Pew report. The chart clearly indicates that Asians take the lead with the highest percentage. However, the media makes it all about two races only. Some even dusted off the historical story of Richard & Mildred Loving. One news after another I wondered, why is it so hard to present the wider range? It's unbelievable how a broad term such as "interracial" can be reduced and stereotyped to this point. Unless the purpose was to also take advantage of the Black History month, then it makes top-story sense. Nonetheless, all the news embodied interracial marriages the same way. Or should I say, continue to embody it.

Here's another example: this article from the Huffington Post which really stood out for me. The author briefly describes her eye opening experience with her white male friends. Apparently, she was firm in her belief (even as an adult) that black men and women should not "marry out". But she admits never considering to marry a white man. Doesn't even bother adding , the "other" option. And it takes her white male friends to enlightened her from her "racially inconsistent thinking" ... or just plain old discrimination.

I was taken aback that she is a diversity solutions thought leader. The article gave me fthe impression she is trying to diversify from the negative side of the racial subject. I admit she does tone it down a little in her closing. But, (excuse me for still being skeptical) this came out just an ethnocentric statement: "one of the true beauties of being an American". Can't imagine her giving a lecture about diversity in Europe or Asia.

Sense of unity more than awareness.

Fortunately, there are institutions and educational entities that focus less in our differences. Bringing us together with our similarities, instilling a sense of unity more than awareness. Besides, there's still so much more about our common ancestry that keeps surfacing. Each discovery keeps confirming that we all come from the same place. We have available plenty of scientific facts to instill a real sense of unity. If you ever witness or sense any racial intolerance, feel free to make a kind reminder: *ahem* "did you already forget about our great-great-Australopithecus sediba, from 6 million years ago?"

Well, I just hope that the next publication of the Pew Research Center report getting the media's attention will be  presented with a more diverse image. A true representation of our diverse society.