TABOO: The Controversy of Black/White 'Race Mixing' in America is a documentary currently in production. We look forward to your feedback. It is our aim to show all sides of the discussion-- the good, bad, ugly and, of course, beautiful. Thank you for participating.

Hi Abiola,
 
I looked at your web site and was impressed. Unless I'm mistaken, we have similar views on the issue of inter-racial families and couples. I do, however, have one point of contention. It may still be a taboo to some people, but, I assure you, to those of us who are living in inter-racial families the subject is anything but "taboo". Using that word in the title of your documentary gives racist, narrow-minded views more credence than they deserve. Perhaps you should replace "taboo" with words like: "enlightenment, love and harmony".
 
Good luck with your film. I hope your inter-racial singles event is a big success. I'm sorry that it really isn't my style to go to events like that.
 
One question I have for your documentary: Why do so many personal ads from black women either express the strong preference for childless men or tout the ad writer's own childlessness or (usually) both? This is something I really don't understand.
 
sincerely,
Barry

Edited by author 12-08-2004 09:37 AM
Hey Barry,

Hello!

Thanks so much for your feedback, but you missed the entire point in using the word TABOO. It's the same reason that Harvard professor Randall Kennedy called his book the disgusting title NIGGER. In order for a movie, book or documentary to inspire, teach or share, it has to first draw an audience in the very crowded market place. You GRAB people then teach them what you want to teach them. The words "race mixing" disgust me as well, but it doesn't help us to work hard on showing all points of view and loving families if no one ever sees them. Unless you are able to buy or finance the rights to our film, which would be fabulous by the way, most of the networks out there would less rather purchase a film named "Love in Black & White." Believe me, that was my first title!

Is it ok for me to hold on to your email address? Might you be interested in being interviewed at some point?

Also, FYI, the ballroom dance lesson, then party will only be about 20 people, who especially feel that it isn't their style to go to these things-- especially b/c we aren't a dating service, so consider it! :)

Also, I think that the blackfamily has really disintegrated since the civil rights movement, so many people have children out of wedlock, sometimes unfortunately with multiple partners. Blended families are not new in these communities, and these women are expressing a yearning not to participate in a blended family. I suspect that perhaps they fear a "baby's mother" with high drama who may live in the shadow of the man they are seeking. However, that is just a guess.

Best wishes,
Abiola
http://www.evesmagic.tv

Dear Leslie and Abiola,

 My name is Jen Chau and I'm the Executive Director of Swirl, Inc. I've been reading your messages on the Swirl listserv and wanted to see if the both of you would like to grab coffee or lunch sometime to talk about your film.

In addition to my responsibilities to Swirl, I'm Co-Director of Mixed Media Watch, a blog and grassroots coalition that works to promote more realistic, three-dimensional portrayals of mixed people, couples,
families and transracial adoptees in film, television, radio and print media.

Carmen Van Kerckhove, the other Co-Director of MMW, and I do a lot of writing about the way interracial couples are depicted in the media, and we'd love to learn more about your plans for the film, and share some of our thoughts about media representations with you.

Would you be up for a quick chat?

Thanks,

Jen

Jen Chau
Founder/Executive Director
Swirl, Inc.

swirl. http://www.swirlinc.org

Edited by author 12-08-2004 09:37 AM
Jen,

We will make a 2 hour film exploring primarily black/white heterosexual, interracial relationships. The question that we started with is: Why are black women least likely to date interracially, and then of course, we broadened our discussion. Because of the black/white racial dynamic in America, and the history behind this dynamic, we have chosen to focus our dialogue here. We are now shooting a short work sample for an interested network, and plan to finish shooting when funding is approved. I think that you've accessed our website: http://www.taboothemovie.com -- where you can read a bit more about what we are doing.

We plan to speak to everyone: scholars, families, everyday joes, people in the news, entertainers; exploring all points of view, stereotypes, assumptions, myths and realities. In other words, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful.

Our completed film will also touch, very briefly, on interracial relationships involving other races, biracial identity, and homosexual couples as well. However, in the brief work sample that we are currently shooting, these areas are not our focus.

Perhaps you or someone from your organization would be interested in being on our advisory board? At this stage, it involves no meetings, only dialogue primarily via email as we are doing here. Another opportunity would be for us
to interview someone from your organization on-camera on media representations of interracial love, or more likely, lack thereof. Depending on our conversation today, we could do this as early as tomorrow, as we have already
have an extensive shooting day planned, and it would be easy to add you, briefly, to the
schedule.

Jen, I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thanks for reaching out. It's funny how mistakes turn out to work-- my wonderfully enthusiastic intern was mistakenly posting "discussion group" information on your board, when the event that we are throwing is only a party for those seeking interracial romance. We had been trying to access interracial dating groups for an on-camera interview, but they are all closed to media exploration, so we have decided to throw our own. This is the info that she was attempting to post, erroneously, on your board, versus posting to interracial meet and greet groups, but I am pleased to be in contact with you.

Best wishes,
Abiola

Hi,

I happened upon your website from Craigslist and the movie sounds really interesting. I live in Tucson and I'm bewildered by the way that Black men can date White women and it's not a problem but if I'm out (I'm a Black woman) with a White man, heads turn. Can't wait to see the film.
 
-Tamica

Edited by author 12-08-2004 09:36 AM
Tamica,

Hello & thanks for your interest.

I might send a camera crew over to briefly interview you in Tuscon. Tell me more.

Best wishes,
Abiola
http://www.taboothemovie.com

Abiola,
Oh gosh, Its so funny that you emailed because it happened again this weekend!!!

I was out with my sister, two girl friends and a white male friend. My male friend and I were walking through the club holding hands to get a drink and head were turning left and right. I actually had a Black man look at me and shake his head like he was disgusted... BUT he was in the middle of a flirty converstation with a White woman!! It's crazy. My friend noticed, which he always does and so he pulled me close like we were together and look at the guy like SO WHAT!!

It's amazing that there's such a double standard. Whew! Thanks for listening!
Tamica

Hello,
Want an honest opinion - here ya go.

Not trying to start a fight, only discussion - wanted to say that up front. You can call me what you want but you would be wrong. Stereotypes aren't just for minorities, you know.

So. America is the melting pot, right? ha. When our country was young - and up until the industrial revolution - communities and towns were made up of people sharing the same religion, race and goals. A mate was chosen by 1.) a woman who would bear many children to assist in the fields. 2.)A man's ability to provide for
his family. Once the industrial revolution occured, people were forced to move to cities. Cars gave them easy access to other communities. With this change, cultures were forced to live among one another and one of the results was race mixing. But, I'm getting off the subject. Since the beginning of our country, races have come here and thrived. Prospered! Even the poor, down-trodden
Jews! But negroes? Yes, they were brought here as slaves - but rather than seeing their freedom as a gift - the majority of this race has whined and bitched for over 100 damn years!!!! Our country has spoon fed this race opportunities. Shit! A black person in America only has to open his hand to have people tripping all over
themselves to help. The black community has not only failed to prosper, they have become a drain on our society. Even the Mexican illegals find work. How can a race fail so miserably in light of the "bend-0ver-backwards" attitude our bleeding heart liberals have
given.

Next time you hear of the poor couple who had a cross burned on their lawn by some ignorant white person, ask yourself what this couple/family is doing about it! Whining, bitching to the media or are they beginning a neighborhood watch so their neighborhood becomes safer? We all know the answer to that question, don't we.
Captain Denise Martin
Tucson, AZ

When I was younger it was a common sight to see the
pointy headed cowards in their robes and flags. I
feel sorry for the couple who had the crosses burned
on their lawns. Their so called hero Hitler saw
Americans as mongrels and of little value. I would
rather be a mongrel. My relatives fought and died to
make this country what it is, it may not be perfect
but I haven't found another country better. These types
of people are cowards.
-Mike Airis

Edited by author 12-08-2004 09:46 AM
Viewers, please note that emails may be posted from those sent to us, unless expressly understood to be confidential, and emails here are also reposted from our yahoo board.

Call for Participation in Research Project on Interracial Couples and Biracial Children in America in the 1960s

Dear Madam or Sir,

My name is Rejane Frick, and I am a French Ph. D. student majoring in American Studies at the University of Paris XII (France). My dissertation deals with the experiences and representations of African-American/White couples and Biracial people in America in the 1960s. This project is under the supervision of Dr. Michele Gibault, Professor of American History at the University of Paris XII.

This study investigates whether legislative and social changes in the 60s had consequences on interracial families’ representations and way of life.
Therefore, personal testimonies are crucial for my research. Participants’ answers will be useful on a qualitative as well as on a quantitative level. The
reliability of this study depends on the amount of completed questionnaires it contains (minimum 100 questionnaires). The answers that participants will
provide will be essential to constitute its basic frame. The ultimate goal of this research project is not only to obtain my Ph. D, but also to question the
all-too-often stereotypical representations of African-American/White couples and Biracial children.

I am still in need of several completed questionnaires to obtain a representative study. Thus, I am looking for people who were involved in a heterosexual black-white relationship during the 60s. Likewise, I am trying to
collect the testimonies of people who were born or grew up in the 60s and whose biological parents identify themselves as Black and White respectively. If you fit the criteria for this research, and you are interested in completing one of the two questionnaires, you can access the questionnaire that fits your background by going to the following website: http://ridge13.free.fr/index.html
If you do not fit the criteria for this research, but you know someone who could complete one of the two questionnaires, I would greatly appreciate it if you
could forward this e-mail to him/her.

Please be assured that measures are taken to ensure participants’ anonymity. The website was created so that I won’t receive participants’ e-mail addresses.
Moreover, only pseudonyms will be used. If you or your friends have any questions, or would like to find out more about this research project, I can be
contacted at : rejanefrick@hotmail.fr

Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,

Rejane Frick

Hello,
Good luck with your paper. I'd love to keep in touch with you as I am shooting
a documentary about American interracial romance: www.taboothemovie.com .
Best wishes,

abiola abrams
filmmaker
www.evesmagic.tv
ph: (212) 426.0056
fax: (212) 457.6133

Sir,
Thank you for your e-mail and your encouragement. I went to your website, and
your project seems extremely interesting. I made my Masters thesis on
“Black-White couples’ experiences and representations in contemporary American
society,” and I examined how and why interracial couples still have to face
adversity and negative representations. I found out that social scientists still
theorize on what could induce Blacks and Whites to have intimate relations.
Their theories abound, and many of them vary according to the race–gender
combination of the couple:

1) Black partners’ motivations:
-Self-hatred
-They are fighting against society (theory applied to Black men)
-They are taking revenge for slavery (theory applied to Black men)
-Forbidden fruit complex (theory applied to Black men)
-Trophy wives (theory applied to Black men)
-Hypogamy theory (theory applied to Black man-White woman couples)

2) White partners’ motivations:
-They are fighting against their parents
-They are looking for adventure, exotic sensations, and they try to escape
banality
-Sexual motivation
-Denial of their homosexuality (theory applied to White women)
-Low self-esteem (theory applied to White women)

The list is so long that it is better to stop here. As you can see, most of
these theories are applied to Black man-White woman couples. This pattern is
linked to the American racial caste system and slavery.
Many of these theories are popularized by the media (press, TV and cinema).
Thus, a lot of people still assimilate them, and they misconstrue interracial
couples’ motivations. Systematically the importance of love is denied. This is
why your work is so important. We need to challenge the stereotypical
representations of these couples, for some of them clearly express that these
representations had a negative impact on their inner-life.
I am currently working on my Ph. D dissertation. This time I chose to study the
experiences and representations of interracial couples and biracial children in
the 1960s.
For the study of the representations of interracial couples and biracial
children, I try to examine the way stereotypes were transmitted to the American
population, and their repercussions on interracial couples and biracial children.
As for the experiences of interracial couples and biracial children, I try to
analyze what consequences legislative (ban of the anti-miscegenation laws) and
social changes (integrationist movement, separatist movement, desegregation) had
on interracial families.
I am still in need of several completed questionnaires to obtain a
representative study. Thus, I would greatly appreciate it if you could forward
the letter below (this is the explanatory letter I usually send to people
willing to participate in the research project) to anyone who was involved in a
heterosexual black-white relationship during the 60s, or to Biracial people who
were born or grew up in the 60s. Please feel free to forward this letter to
friends who might know people fitting the criteria for this research, or to
forward it to various list serves.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Since English is
not my native tongue, I am fully aware that I am not always clear.
Thank you for your help and time.
Réjane
----------------


Rejane Frick
Universite Paris XII - Val de Marne
Faculte de Lettres et de Sciences Humaines
61, avenue du General de Gaulle
94 010 Creteil cedex
France