Interracial dating, is when a couple consists of two people from entirely different racial backgrounds. This most commonly refers to a couple in which one person is white and the other is black. The term does not generally apply when the difference in racial background in a person is slight or is not very different from one another. In the past, this used to raise many eyebrows and would be considered taboo. Since the nineteenth century, the term “miscegenation” has been applied to the marriage or sexual relations of interracial couples. The term is considered relatively offensive due to its usage in such laws that condemn interracial dating or marriage in some countries.
At the time when race was a large issue when considering a partner either for dating or marriage, typically the most common prejudice was towards a couple where one was white and the other was black. Some state laws included Asians in the mix of condemning, but not all.
Unfortunately, in many countries, there still remains a prejudice against interracial dating. In fact, as late as 2009, Louisiana refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple. However, in the northern half of the United States, state government tends to be a bit more liberal on the matter, as are the people. Acceptance is also generally increasing around the country. The most notable interracial American as of today is the United States President Barack Obama, who is the product of an interracial marriage which consisted of a black father and a white mother.
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