At 12yrs. old I fell deeply in love with a wonderful lass from Liverpool. Her family was from Ethiopia. She stole my heart, but even so, while my parents were ok with it, the neighborhood could not handle it. Sadly it only lasted 6 months. That, some 55 or so years ago. -sigh-
Morning, txmystic. When this was written in the 80’s, interracial dating was still pretty taboo. Trust me, I know. Even some 10 years ago, I got some pretty hostile looks for going outside my own race. That was the perfect phrase here: people who thought they were liberal and open-minded, but couldn’t handle the reality of it. In short, Binkley’s Dad really WAS as liberal and open-minded as the next guy—Berkley’s point at the time. I remember reading this when it first came out…
One more comment on this: Berkeley nailed this one: “That’s what parents are for!” — the perpetuation of racism and racial stereotyping, handed down through the generations.
I dated a guy outside my race for a year, and its the 20th century and people still looked at us as if we weren’t from this planet. It’s really an insult, and sometimes that opposite person is really who will love and treat you right.
My Grandparetns are from Argentina they hate Mexicans.
My sister and brother-in-law hate gays
My parents are covertly racist against black people: they would never let me watch black comedeies claiming “they were annoying,”
Somehow I escaped the racism gene but never got to put it into practics as the only guys I seem to attract are skinny white punk/gamer boys. Sucks, but at least my daughter will grow up knowing she can date anyone she wishes as long as he or she is not a jerkoff!
“…You’ve got to be taught, before it’s too late, before you are six, or seven, or eight, to hate all the people your relatives hate! You’ve got to be carefully taught…”
from “South Pacific”, c. 1955. Change comes very slowly.
One consideration that has to be made in inter-racial relationships is what effect it will have on the children that would be produced. Right or wrong, our society looks down on inter-racial couples. Do you really want to saddle your child with that prejudice when they are to young to decide for themselves? I say this from experience, as I have a niece that is bi-racial, whom I love dearly, and am glad to have. Just sayin…
“Saddle your children with that prejudice”? WTF? So two people shouldn’t fall and love and have children because some bass ackwards moron won’t like it? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.
Sisyphos almost 16 years ago
Dad? May I call you Dad? We need to have a little discussion….
ejcapulet almost 16 years ago
Here is where the phrase “and why not?” would come in handy.
wndrwrthg almost 16 years ago
He would use this same argument if it were a boyfriend(No, not really).
gigabyte03 almost 16 years ago
At 12yrs. old I fell deeply in love with a wonderful lass from Liverpool. Her family was from Ethiopia. She stole my heart, but even so, while my parents were ok with it, the neighborhood could not handle it. Sadly it only lasted 6 months. That, some 55 or so years ago. -sigh-
txmystic almost 16 years ago
I wonder about this “next guy” his dad is talking about…
cleokaya almost 16 years ago
Poor Binkley. That’s the problem, bigotry keeps getting passed on from generation to generation. Hopefully, Binkley can overcome parental advice.
michaelw777 almost 16 years ago
Morning, txmystic. When this was written in the 80’s, interracial dating was still pretty taboo. Trust me, I know. Even some 10 years ago, I got some pretty hostile looks for going outside my own race. That was the perfect phrase here: people who thought they were liberal and open-minded, but couldn’t handle the reality of it. In short, Binkley’s Dad really WAS as liberal and open-minded as the next guy—Berkley’s point at the time. I remember reading this when it first came out…
michaelw777 almost 16 years ago
One more comment on this: Berkeley nailed this one: “That’s what parents are for!” — the perpetuation of racism and racial stereotyping, handed down through the generations.
hookedoncomics almost 16 years ago
I dated a guy outside my race for a year, and its the 20th century and people still looked at us as if we weren’t from this planet. It’s really an insult, and sometimes that opposite person is really who will love and treat you right.
Sherlock Watson almost 16 years ago
I wonder what Dad’s reaction would be if he could see into the future and witness the result of the 2008 presidential election. 8)
ForeverAllstar almost 16 years ago
My Grandparetns are from Argentina they hate Mexicans. My sister and brother-in-law hate gays My parents are covertly racist against black people: they would never let me watch black comedeies claiming “they were annoying,” Somehow I escaped the racism gene but never got to put it into practics as the only guys I seem to attract are skinny white punk/gamer boys. Sucks, but at least my daughter will grow up knowing she can date anyone she wishes as long as he or she is not a jerkoff!
coffeeturtle almost 16 years ago
With parents like these, who needs Archie Bunker. :-D
Imagine how many people out there, sadly, would actually agree with dear ol’ Dad.
ChiehHsia almost 16 years ago
“…You’ve got to be taught, before it’s too late, before you are six, or seven, or eight, to hate all the people your relatives hate! You’ve got to be carefully taught…”
from “South Pacific”, c. 1955. Change comes very slowly.
briankblough almost 16 years ago
One consideration that has to be made in inter-racial relationships is what effect it will have on the children that would be produced. Right or wrong, our society looks down on inter-racial couples. Do you really want to saddle your child with that prejudice when they are to young to decide for themselves? I say this from experience, as I have a niece that is bi-racial, whom I love dearly, and am glad to have. Just sayin…
Brainiak almost 16 years ago
Maybe he might be worried a jealous “Brother” might cap the little dude fo messin wif dey women.
ANandy almost 16 years ago
Dad’s name is Harry Reid. His hobby is being a senator from Nevada.
sammykat1976 almost 16 years ago
“Saddle your children with that prejudice”? WTF? So two people shouldn’t fall and love and have children because some bass ackwards moron won’t like it? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.