On Topic Discussion My reaction may be out of place...

[EddMarkStarr]

You know what Centipede?, I'm shocked by the lack of progress expressed by people I meet in everyday life. Lately I've been searching for signs that people are evolving, looking for light bulbs turning on.

But there have been times recently where it seems that evolution also works in reverse.

As a citizen of the 21st century I pledge to do my part in raising the bar on human relations.
Maybe it will catch on.

 

[NotHardUp1]

Yes, but to be fair, think how rare this sort of reaction is today. A decade or two or three ago, any interracial couple would have evoked gossip. Not so today.

So, we ARE making progress.

 

[Kyanimal]

You two, individually, and together, are simply Beautiful!

Though some might have "reservations" that you're both Guys, blissfully together, it disturbs me more that their major "objection" would be the race issue!

In a warped way, that might be good for the "Gay" facet, now coming in second rather than first.

As it's been pointed out, Humans are the same race!

Genome mapping has proven we're ALL 98% the same!

In my view, that precious, unique, 2% difference should be cherished and adored.

Those that make a divisive issue as something so minor as 2%, need to have their perspectives rearranged!

In other words, don't sweat the small stuff!

It's far better to enjoy the sweaty stuff!

 

[Zeno Lorea]

Is it weird that I always have a bizarre reaction when we’re called an interracial couple?

That depends on what you two look like. If you are the two white guys in your pics, well, yeah, then you are not interracial in my book.

 

[zombiekiller]

I'm east asian and my boyfriend is white. Never occurred to us, really.

 

[Zeno Lorea]

Was it said in a meanful way? Because if so, you have the right to react however you want (up to a degree, of course, show your´re the bigger man), but if not, since you two ARE an interracial couple, if it upset you, it might have been because of some problems you have with yourself. Would you be upset if someone would say you´re gay?

Race is a subjective matter. Black, white, yellow are clearly distinguished, but there are many shades of brown where it is difficult to draw the line between black, brown and yellow or black, brown and white. Unless, of course, you use the 'one drip of black blood' theory of the KKK, but outside the USA, that would be simply brown.

However, you seem adamant that these two guys somehow are a different race. What criteria do you use to make that distinction, since there are many native-born citizens of your country (or mine) who look either more pale than the pale one or more tanned than the tan one? Just curious.

 

[otters]

Is it weird that I always have a bizarre reaction when we’re called an interracial couple?

I never considered us interracial, […]

I agree with you. I actually know quite a lot of half siblings, and even some full [!] siblings, who look much more different than you two, but — apart from certain places (particularly in Germany e.g., where racism is currently "en vogue" apparently) — I guess in Europe basically no one in their right mind would say that there would be different "races" in question.

 

[JPGhost]

You guys are money making couple

 

[Latimer]

My first thought was two great-looking guys. My second thought was that one of you looked northern European, the other southern European. I then read further and discovered that you're of Mexican ancestry, which means that you might be considered Mestizo by some, White Hispanic (in the language of the US Census) by others. While your partner looks 100% Nordic, who knows what else is in his DNA? I'm generally assumed to be of British, Scandinavian, or German ancestry--which I am--but I'm also Lithuanian Jewish and American Indian and who knows what else, so I could be classified as Mestizo as well. I'm a mutt, am delighted to be a mutt, and assume that many (most?) Americans are mutts as well. But I ramble. Be happy that you and your partner are happy, accomplished and handsome. Relax. Being referred to as "inter-racial" should be the most minor of annoyances, if that. Were I in your position I'd find it amusing and leave it at that.

 

[otters]

Wait, one question: does it make a difference what colours you wear?
Because, the colours that you wear can completely distort your appearance, and of course the perception of third persons, too.

[…from my own experience I'd say: if one has blue eyes like your bf, one should not wear blue stuff. It's extremely difficult to find the right shade which doesn't suppress the eyes' blue. I'd always prefer a green shade instead. If one has green or greenish eyes, vice versa: one should wear blue. And OTOH, if one has "mediterranean features", they can wear basically everything, including the most screaming shades of pink. Man, how did I envy my late father that he was wearing all sorts of pink and did look marvellous! I would look like a ghost ]

 

[lambdaboy]

Is it weird that I always have a bizarre reaction when we’re called an interracial couple?

I never considered us interracial, I think I might have problems with the term being removed from the book and used in real life. For the first time in years someone did just that and I wasn’t able to compose myself correctly while in the middle of conversation. It was more of a “LOLWAHT?!?!” but not enough words conveyed what I was really feeling because I sort of felt like the undertone behind it was negative, so my fiance took care of putting everything back in order.

I see why and understand it, the term itself and having it highlighted and brought to light just seems so prehistoric to me, and for nearly a micro-second it was like an asteroid grazing our atmosphere (planet earth being my asshole switch). So I don’t know why I have this reaction or why it bugs me, my understanding could be wrong so I’m asking for some clearance/help on this subject.

What should I do to correct this and what is a good response for when another person uses this term? I could do the smile and nod, but I’d rather have something more solid to put out.

I rarely hear it said here in London where we have more couplesof different races and frankly no one cares! But then America always has had a race problem!