The film “A United Kingdom” reminds us of the progress made with interracial marriagePosted in Africa, Articles, History, Media Archive, United Kingdom, United States on 2017-03-02 01:25Z by Steven |
The film “A United Kingdom” reminds us of the progress made with interracial marriage
The State Press
Tempe, Arizona
2017-02-23
Guillermo Mijares, Political Reporter
 Photo by Karen Ta | The State Press “People shouldn’t be uncomfortable seeing an interracial couple.” Illustration published on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017. |
I believe we are undoubtedly the most progressive generation so far. This past weekend I went to see a film that reminded me of that.
“A United Kingdom” reminds us that it wasn’t too long ago that skin color was a barrier to overcome for some couples. In fact, it wasn’t until the year 2000 when the state of Alabama finally changed its decision and lifted the ban on the right to an interracial marriage in the state.
Just 55 years ago, Arizona repealed its ban on interracial marriages. Many of our parents lived to witness this repeal, yet we tend to forget this unfortunate part of history.
This film reminds us that a visual image today of an interracial couple is almost entirely a non-issue, certainly among millennials. As a college student at ASU, I witness many interracial couples daily, which is something past generations could not witness.
Despite the flaws our world has when it comes to race relations, I believe people, especially younger people and students, are leading the way to a more accepting society…
…Though the film addressed a racial issue, it wouldn’t address why people were so uncomfortable seeing an interracial couple.
Author and Time magazine contributor Arica L. Coleman Ph.D, said that this has been an on-going problem with the film industry.
She said she gives credit to the industry for highlighting important and progressive moments in historical films, but she also finds a problem in those same films for not presenting the full picture to the public when it comes down to race.
“They are problematic — they sell an illusion — and a problem I have with the topic of interracial marriage is the whole notion of using interracial marriage as a sign of progress with race, but it also can be used as an eraser,” she said. “Also, just like most of the time with Hollywood, it’s almost always the black man with the exotic white woman, which continues to show that the lack for black women is still present.”…
Read the entire article here.