Imani Belgrave

Rhetorical Analysis
English 112
Douglas
11 December 2014

Skin Tone is Trivial

Interracial Marriage is a term used to describe people who marry one another from a
different ethnic group. For example, if a Native American and a Caucasian person were to
become married, this would be known as Interracial Marriage. After researching the topic, of
interracial marriage, I found two articles based on pro interracial marriage and anti-interracial
marriages. The pro article is titled, Interracial Relationships Are Becoming More Socially
Acceptable which describes these types of relationships. On the other hand, the con article
titled, Introduction to Interracial Relationships: At Issue, describes the negative aspects of
miscegenation.
In 2006, the article titled, Interracial Relationships Are Becoming More Socially
Acceptable was written by Francine Russo. This article used statistics to eloquently describe
how interracial unions are prevailing on our society. Interracial coupling is actually rocketing
up faster than the stats indicate, suggests University of Michigan sociologist David R. Harris.
According to his research, one in six interracial unions is a cohabitation, so the prevalence of
intimate partnerships among the races is greater than it appears. And casual dating between
groups is even more common. The Post found that four of every ten Americans said they had
dated someone of another race and almost three in ten said it had been a "serious" relationship
(Russo) Although this article stated that certain corners of the country are not accepting of

interracial marriages; states like New York, Florida, and California are more receptive to these
types of unions. The article is made relatable individuals who are for interracial marriages
because the author states realistic facts. It also gives a path for individuals who may have not
been for interracial marriages, to see that this type of marriage is ethical. Although, the point of
view may not appeal to everyone the author gives a logical and simplistic authority.
In 2000, the opposing view of Interracial Marriage was stated in the article, Introduction
to Interracial Relationships: At Issue written by a variety of sources. This article deals with
more of a historical facet. Interracial romance has been a controversial subject in America since
the first English settlers established colonies in the seventeenth century. In 1664, Maryland
banned interracial marriage due to the offspring of a black slave and a white person would be
considered a free person or property. In following years, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, North
Carolina, and South Carolina instituted anti-miscegenation laws which banned interracial
marriage. In 1691, Virginia outlawed interracial couples and labeled their children as "that
abominable mixture and spurious issue (Introduction to Interracial Relationships). This article
showed and explained many credible historic facts about interracial marriages, which explained
the controversial aspect of the topic in depth. Many of the facts and laws stated repulsive.
Though the writer has a well-organized article, the morals are unconstitutional. For instance,
there was the Loving v. Virginia case in 1967. It was illegal for a black woman and a white man
to be married. They both were sentenced to prison for a year. This was filed as unconstitutional.
The article that is pro interracial marriage explains very well why interracial marriage is
constitutional. It compares the rate of interracial marriages from twenty years ago until present
time. This comparison shows how our society has grown morally. Unlike, the anti-interracial
marriage article, which clearly states interracial marriage is cultural betrayal. A respectable

characteristic of the anti-interracial marriage article, is the writer has evidence to support the
opinions stated which is most important. Both of the articles stated facts to agrees or disagrees
upon. Although the morals of the two articles completely differ, the arguments are
comprehended by readers.

Works Cited
David M. Haugen. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. At Issue. Rpt. from "When Love is
Mixing It Up: More Couples Are Finding Each Other Across Racial LinesAnd Finding
Acceptance." Time 158 (19 Nov. 2001). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
"Introduction to Interracial Relationships: At Issue." Interracial Relationships. Ed. Bryan
J. Grapes. San

Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2000. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context.

Web. 18 Sept. 2014

Russo, Francine. "Interracial Relationships Are Becoming More Socially Acceptable."
Interracial Relationships. Ed. 18 Sept 2014