How many of us actually know that a mere 30 years ago it was illegal in 17 states for mixed race couples to get married? How many of us know that over 1.4 million marriages in the United States are of the interracial variety?

Interesting isn’t it? But what is actually more interesting is the way many of us view these relationships.

When most of us see a white man, we expect to see a white woman on his arm, and when we see a black woman, we expect to see a black man by her side. But why? Who ever said it has to be this way?

Ever notice how many of us do a double take when we see an interracial couple? Is it fascination, displeasure or just plain silliness? Who knows?

America for hundreds of years has put more than enough emphasis on race and ethnicity. We, as Americans, for the longest time have separated ourselves by our race and our ethnic backgrounds, whether it be professionally, politically or even spiritually. However, the one place where there have been no lines drawn is on the avenue of love.

It has been said love is blind. If so, then it certainly can’t see any colors. If love is truly blind, it doesn’t care what the participants look like as long as the love is real.

There should be no better place on earth for this than America. After all, America is supposed to be the “great melting pot.”

According to statistics in 1995, one in 40 marriages were interracial.That is an incredible number, 10 times what they were in 1960. Yet, even in the ’90s many of these couples are the targets of hate crimes in some areas of the South.

In a country whose past is rooted in diverse backgrounds and built on the shoulders of immigrants, there should be no hate toward interracial couples because America might have her future in them.