Megan Kelly and John Baldi met at Cabrini College through mutual friends last year and have been dating for about six months now. They spend their time like many couples in college do: going out to eat, going for walks, hanging in their dorms, and going to Rita’s. However, unlike all couples, they come from different races.
Their interracial status has not had too much of an impact on their relationship. “Typically people are pretty cool about it,” Kelly, sophomore exercise science and health promotions major, said.
In fact, studies have shown that as generations go on people have become more and more accepting of interracial couples in general. As of 2010 one in seven marriages within the United States is interracial, and this number continues to grow.
Millennials were found to be the most accepting generation when it comes to interracial relationships, with about 90 percent of respondents saying they would have no problem with a family member marrying inter-racially. This ranged between 88 and 93 percent betwe en specific races.
With the growing acceptance rate, Kelly and Baldi’s relationship has not had many hardships related to race. “Baldi’s parents were interracial so I don’t think they’re upset about it, and my family’s very cool about it,” Kelly said. “Both of my sisters are the same way.”
Kelly said that she for the most part tends to be attracted to guys with darker complexion and dark hair. This is common for her sisters as well. “Once, someone in my extended family asked if there was something wrong with my sister because she never dated any white boys.”
She has also seen examples of the tension that can occur as part of being in an interracial relationship. “I have a friend who was in an interracial relationship and her boyfriend was super hypersensitive about it and so when we would go in public he would be like ‘oh everyone is staring at us because I’m black and you’re white,’” she said.
Aside from familial comments, Kelly has had no situations with her peers or other people. “There’s never been any outward problem or people staring or anything like that,” she said.
Kelly said that overall she feels the problem that may have previously existed with interracial couples is no longer in effect. “I really think it’s what you make of it because nobody cares that deeply about who you’re dating,” Kelly said. “Most people don’t mind.”
