Is it really like that or is it just make-believe?

Posted by Leticia, 16 Oct

Does TV/Movies represent the real mixed race Couples?

You can't make everybody happy. It seems that no matter what the entertainment world does to imitate life in art, there's some group that is just not happy about how they are portrayed. We've definitely come a long way since the first interracial couple blessed the air waves....haven't we?

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Raise your hand or nod your head if you remember Lucy and Ricky Ricardo? The show was I Love Lucy, it was the on television from 1951-57. At that time the TV executives were not sure if American audiences would believe this "mixed marriage" between the all American girl and the Cuban hottie. The fact that they had been married in "real life" for over 10 years made no difference at all. Here we are half a century later, still worried about what "they" think?!

With interracial couples in the media today, as was with I Love Lucy, the writers may joke about some of the cultural differences, (language, hair, food), but the ethnic diversity is not usually brought up as an serious issue. It may have a lot to do with the fact that you can't please everyone.

When black actors weren't getting any roles there were complaints. After they got the roles, people complained that they were not realistic, too stereotypical. The same has been said for all minority parts in television and cinema. People complained that the "black guy" in Starsky & Hutch was a pimp. Then people complained that in the Cosby Show there was a black doctor and black lawyer married...are you serious? Now, with our interracial couples we hear, there are not enough. Of the ones that exist, they don't really represent the "real" make up of multicultural couples.

When was the last time you saw a black man in a love scene with a white woman? Think about it, we see more black women with white men on television despite the fact that there are twice as many black men with white women in reality. Some say that because "HollyWHITE" doesn't want to see their women being touched and groped, blah, blah, blah. I say it's more like you write, produce and direct about what you know, what you experience. So, the answer would be to either, get out and live more, or put more of a variety of ethnicities into power positions in the studios and we'll get that cultural balance and diversity that we say we want in the world of entertainment.

Here's a partial list of shows and movies that have multicultural couples represented: Grey's Anatomy, My Name is Earl, Scrubs, The Jefferson's, Bringing Down the House, Save the Last Dance, The Bodyguard, Swordfish, Something New, Guess Who, Lost, Transporter, Jungle Fever, Degrassi, Nip Tuck, Love Actually, The Pink Panther, Will and Grace, ER and Friends. The list goes on and on.

The fact is there has never been an abundance of interracial relationships shown on television or in the movies. A big reason for that is the studios fear of alienating its audience and potential advertisers. However, when it is done it has a great impact on our society and their acceptance of difference races coming together. Perhaps this is why the number of interracial marriages went from less than 1% in 1970 to near 6% in 2000. Is it a case of life imitating art or is it the other way around?

This is Leticia...saying don't be a extra in your own movie....be the star!

Responses to "Is it really like that or is it just make-believe?"

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  1. Posted: 21 Feb 07

    i think we need to get out more and stop watching so much tv.

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  2.   maishagal says:
    Posted: 26 Jan 07

    Not even close!!

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  3.   Pleasjure13 says:
    Posted: 10 Jan 07

    Love is what u make it always has been and always will be.

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  4.   marquez097 says:
    Posted: 20 Dec 06

    I think its crazy when we dont see a realistic group of people on tv and yet this is frequently the case.

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  5.   Cocokisses says:
    Posted: 26 Nov 06

    We should spend less time worrying about what others think, and more time loving each other. Just think...the whole world will be brown in a few short years, so don't worry about it! God has a sense of humor because some of the most beautiful people on earth are the ones between bi-racial couples!

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  6.   mossimo36 says:
    Posted: 24 Nov 06

    Don't forget about the shows of old. Capt Kirk and Lt. Uruha. Jim Brown with Raquel Welch. The more things change the more they stay the same. Wish TV today reflected reality a little more though.

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  7.   yoby says:
    Posted: 24 Nov 06

    I totally agree with what kenyanito says!!!

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  8.   kenyanito says:
    Posted: 22 Nov 06

    You are who you are because of God. race is nothing but skin.

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  9.   romeoluvs says:
    Posted: 20 Nov 06

    Television cannot potray the reality of life viz interracial relationship.

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  10.   lizzy2005 says:
    Posted: 20 Nov 06

    People should be allowed to date who they want. Colour should not be an issue. I judge a person on their actions.

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  11.   lizzy2005 says:
    Posted: 19 Nov 06

    As a white woman in the uk I find that mixed relationships are not looked upon as unusual as much as they are in other countries. We still have the predjudice from some ignorant individuals. I find that american tv in particluar still portrays interracial relationships as taboo or weird.

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  12.   whytb0y says:
    Posted: 17 Nov 06

    hay eva i,m white and i date black women and guess what ? i,m in shreveport lol.

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  13.   Eva says:
    Posted: 12 Nov 06

    Finding a white male in Shreveport who dates black women is searching for a needle in a haystack. I'm moving to another state because of this specific reason.

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  14.   Pleasjure13 says:
    Posted: 12 Nov 06

    I think that what matters most is what two people in a relationship think about themselves. I do not think that tv portrayals will ever ever be able to get to the core of IR relationships. I mean look at all of the people who saw the Rodney King beating on video. Many of which remain under the opion that he wasn't beaten.

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  15. Posted: 12 Nov 06

    we have interracial couples over here all the time in every soap opera and many dramas. black men with white women and black women with white men. perhaps if people weren't so hung up about it over there you would see far more of it like here in the UK where it's no big deal

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  16.   donna says:
    Posted: 12 Nov 06

    Amen!!! Make yourself happy. The ones who are complaining or offended are the unhappy people!

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  17.   kenyanito says:
    Posted: 11 Nov 06

    its high time we got rid of the stigma. It does exist not only in races but even amongst tribes. Can we make a change?

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  18.   unme23 says:
    Posted: 11 Nov 06

    people are going to believe what they what any way.

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  19.   Coco says:
    Posted: 10 Nov 06

    I think we should all stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and do our own thing! I don't care about what anyone else thinks about who I date, what I wear or what I drive. I know that I am doing things that make me happy, and I'm not hurting anyone in the process.

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  20.   JADE74 says:
    Posted: 09 Nov 06

    TV and movies don't show reality of lives in interracial couples

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  21.   Nikki says:
    Posted: 09 Nov 06

    WHYTBOY...I swear, everytime you open your mouth...I wish I was there! I love the way you think! Great points!

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  22.   whytb0y says:
    Posted: 08 Nov 06

    honestly it's nice to see interracial couples getting the air time , i always thought lenny cravitz's mom was pretty cute but the white guy Tom she was married to on the jeffersons didnt look like her type , she needed a nice white guy like me instead lol. i agree with caroinaqt and rayne if a woman r man dates because they feel that their own race does not treat them right or that another race will , they are dating for the wrong reasons and fooling themselves , every race has good and ignorant people , a white guy can do you low down just as a black man , and a black man can love honor and adore his woman just as a white man , race aint got jack shat to do with it , like who you like cuz you like them i,m not going to lie i,m attracted to black women because i love the way my skin looks pressed up against my womans dark skin but it;'s not the only reason i also am attracted to black women because i find a strength in black women that is unbeatable , its like cuba said in that movie men of honor , they told him he couldn't so he tried harder , thats how i see black women , you say no they say bull shyt and they accomplish the impossible , you gotta love a woman that wont lay down and quit.

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  23.   texasbest says:
    Posted: 07 Nov 06

    Hollywierd who?

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  24.   Pleasjure13 says:
    Posted: 06 Nov 06

    Some people on here have been watching too much damn tv.

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  25.   Ann says:
    Posted: 05 Nov 06

    Because we watch a lot of television and view all the movies, it does help shape our opinions and values, etc. The more we see, the more we do.

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  26.   jazzminkc says:
    Posted: 05 Nov 06

    I just got on here and already i have two notes from great guys this is awesome ....

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  27.   Carla says:
    Posted: 04 Nov 06

    I say no it really isnt that way-if it was..it wouldnt be normal....the media hasnt gone that far lets hope!

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  28.   Majesticone says:
    Posted: 03 Nov 06

    i have never understood why interracial couples are not more prevelant.. yet i do understand. its sick no matter how u put it. its degrading and karmiclly wrong.

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  29.   gms77 says:
    Posted: 03 Nov 06

    Who can trust a media fueled portryal??

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  30.   msjanine says:
    Posted: 03 Nov 06

    I look at it like it does not matter what people preferences are, that does not matter what matter is what is on the inside of a person and not whats on the outside. Honestly there is only one race and many people make this statement all the time. The only race is the human race.

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  31.   Kara says:
    Posted: 02 Nov 06

    Yeah, I hate the whole "Jungle Fever" view of interracial dating. I don't think the media has gone far at all toward portraying normal interracial couples. Historically, such relationships have been portrayed either as a joke (e.g., on 'The Jeffersons') or as a cautionary tale (e.g., in 'Jungle Fever').

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  32.   Coco says:
    Posted: 02 Nov 06

    High Five Fala! Not only a very true comment, but very well stated! Way to get the FACTS out there!

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  33.   JADE74 says:
    Posted: 02 Nov 06

    Very good comments from Fala and Prime.

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  34.   prime6969 says:
    Posted: 01 Nov 06

    I was just talking about this with some friends, and I dont think that tv or movies do enought to show interracial couples. there are more shows and movies about gay couples than interracial couples and thats a shame.

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  35.   Plesjure13 says:
    Posted: 31 Oct 06

    I can not say it enough...until people become intelligent enough to be truely color blind all the match sites or tv programs in the world will be useless as far as collectively hurdleing over the race barrier.

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  36.   xina03 says:
    Posted: 31 Oct 06

    Tv or not in real live people always have comments to say about interracial relationship.....

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  37.   Pleasjure13 says:
    Posted: 30 Oct 06

    All this whoopla regarding interracial couples seems to transform these types of dating sites into a smorgasbord.When I registered on the site I did so in hopes of meeting people not for their race but for who they were as an individual. It does puzzle me to contact someone and receive a response that suggests...sorry you're not white or black. Why not add your preference on your profile and save others time. Besides if you just want someone simply because they are white or black or asian I wouldn't want you anyway. Try freeing your mind and start feeling good about yourself and hopefully your ass will follow.

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  38.   KillaC says:
    Posted: 30 Oct 06

    I think this topic is a very interesting topic. I am a young woman and the area that I live in is so diverse that it is common to see interacial dating but I do want to say that the observation that I have made is that it is more "acceptable" to date someone who is closer to your skin color, no matter the race. I am hispanic and african american, and I have dated all kinds of people, race,religion, origin, etc. But I do notice that I tend to get more looks if I am dating a white man in comparison to dating a black or hispanic man or even some middle eastern. I do notice even in Hollywood that they would put someone of lighter skin tone in a movie with an actor who is white. For example, I have been seeing this in a lot of Jennifer Lopez movies, that they portray her as a white woman. In the Wedding Planner, her father was white! That pissed me off soo bad she is not white!She is Latina! And asian women.The fact that she has lighter skin makes it okay. Even Indian women and I think thats because of the fact they do have a darker skin tone but they have "nice" hair. I do think race plays a role, but I think Hollywood is trying to make more interacial couples in movies, but they are still trying to make it pertain to white america. I think you love who you love no matter what color they are.

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  39. Posted: 30 Oct 06

    wow, that was great to read!!

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  40.   Plesjure13 says:
    Posted: 30 Oct 06

    Let's suppose that Hollywood could depict a true picture of interracial couples...would it be perceived as such?

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  41.   Fala says:
    Posted: 29 Oct 06

    Actually Rayne, Cheryl is right. In the USA there are currently more black men in prison than in college. If a black woman wants to date an educated man, the pool of available black men in this country is shrinking rapidly. Add to that the decreasing life expectancy for black men in America and that number gets even smaller. The 2002 census found, "The life expectancy deficit is true for all races but is most dramatic among blacks. Immigrant black men live nine years longer than black men born in the United States." Educated black women would do well to keep their dating options open.

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  42.   RayneDelay says:
    Posted: 28 Oct 06

    If we keep this interracial dating and mating going we will all be beige.

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  43.   RayneDelay says:
    Posted: 28 Oct 06

    Cheryl the idea that there are not enough good Black men out there for Black women to day is just a bad rumor. A rumor started to degrade Black men and Black people in general. It't time it stopped.

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  44.   Pleasjure13 says:
    Posted: 28 Oct 06

    I want to share a true story with you. In 1977 I married a beautiful woman from the Netherlands.My demise was in cheating on her with a former employee who happened to be a beautiful black woman from Pennsylvannia.I frequently would take my wife to work driving the same path.With a high powered rifle, Joseph Paul Franklin the avowd racist, shot and killed a black man working as a janator in a fast food resturant just about the same time that my wife and I usually passed by there.She was off work that particular day.The woman that I was cheating with lost two friends, an interracial couple in Philly a few years earlier to the same killer Franklin who murdered over 50 persons both black and diverse whites. A lot has changed since then as people have become somewhat more civilized.To think of it now and again it is amazing what hate can do.

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  45.   Natural72 says:
    Posted: 28 Oct 06

    I agree about with Leticia on the experiences. Hollywood is still dominated by white men...so they are going to write about their lives in some form or another.

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  46.   Plesjure13 says:
    Posted: 27 Oct 06

    I am really not hung up on the term interracial.I look beyond race or skin color.This enables me to clearly see the true person.

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  47.   CarolinaQT says:
    Posted: 27 Oct 06

    I don't think that black women have "crossed over" due to there being a small number of black men available to us. That's a crock if I ever heard one. Black women have always been strong in nature, strong in knowing what we want or don't want and more than willing to voice that. If that's a white man, then so be it. I'm not going to lay my dating decisions at the feet of the belief that there's no good black men left. If that's why a black woman dates interracially, then she's doing it for the wrong reason.

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  48.   charlee1 says:
    Posted: 27 Oct 06

    over here, you tend to see interracial couples on tv, but it's mainly in the soap operas. hollywood take note, we do exhist!

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  49.   nehuskerfan says:
    Posted: 27 Oct 06

    Very interesting. In life, we all play different roles...it all depends on the scene... sometimes we are the star and sometimes we are in the background... It is how we present ourselves regardless of the role.

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  50.   Carla says:
    Posted: 27 Oct 06

    never ends in a hollywood story..would be great if it did..but it doesnt....but I wont lose hope...:)

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