The biggest difference will be the reaction from the Indian community/culture which at times seems very exclusive of others and unapproachable. However, in general I have noticed that more Indian men and women are marrying interracially (with Blacks, white, Latinos, and other Asians), again this is especially true with the younger generation. I am starting to se more information on the Net regarding this issue as well. I personally know one Indian girl who was disowned for marrying a Black man – regardless of the fact that he was well educated and professional. This is really unfortunate because her parents are missing out on two beautiful grandchildren and the opportunity to see their daughter in love and happy.

As for my niece, we would definitely like her to be able to embrace Indian culture and be raised with both traditions since they are both who she is. I have to admit that I didn’t think the Indian side of the family would be very accepting, since initially they didn’t want their son to to be with my sister. But surprisingly so far they have been happy and participative in her life; I am hoping this will continue as she grows up.

For some reason though I am optimistic that things are a little different now than from when I grew up. In general rascism is an embedded part of America and I don’t see it going away. However, it seems like the younger generations are more accepting of each other and are used to interracial relationships and multiracial people.

One thing that I can say from my experiences growing up is that the stereotype that multiracial children will be confused is just that – a stereotype. It is really other people (esp. in the US) who are confused by multiracial people, simply because we cannot be placed neatly into one particular category, or one particular box to be checked off; this can make some people very uncomfortable. The most important thing for parents of multiracial children to do is emphasize that their identity is not dictacted or established by other people (and this should really apply to any child), and that a person’s identity is not based solely on the color of their skin or that of their parents. Allow them to embrace all of who they are racially, culturally, linguistically, spiritually etc. and this child will have a strong foundation to protect themselves against others who will question, attack them and attempt to make them feel inferior or try to influence their identity.

I think multiracial people really demonstrate that this notion of ‘race’ is unrealistic, and man made. Maybe one day people will wake up and see that it is really just a tool of manipulation.

Now i am originally from vancouver island, and i find the difference remarkable between sikhs from there (and interior) and those originally from the city. Vancouver is at best a pretentious city, where its all about stickin to your “kind.” The saddest part is this how unnaproachable the sikh community is in general. Being in my mid 20′s and seeing how both gender groups act out and about in Van, is pathetic. There is this profound phenomenonon that u cannot speak to male or female without stating who you are with, what your last name is, or who your cousins are! This generation of Sikhs needs to remember the struggles most your parents went through so you could drive your benz, or wear the newest lacoste outfit. Its sad really, most our parents come from no electricity and running water and here in Canada we prance around like gods. I just hope that its a trend that we slowly recognize and break.

This is silly. Men can and are forced into doing stuff they don’t want all the time. Indian mothers are masters of emotional and psychological manipulation. Parental pressure works on men exactly like it does on women (although maybe focusing on different things): “you’re disgracing us, you’re killing our culture, etc…”

You can get around it, but it’s a huge sacrifice (just like it is for a woman). It’s always phrased in zero-sum terms, like, “either you marry an Indian woman or you turn your back on your family”. However, I do know a few married couples featuring Indian men and white women. But don’t ignore the effort it takes to make that work.

I have nothing against mixed couples, but I do an one interesting questions. Why do Indian guys exclusively date only white girls from the Western world and then marry only Indian girls? Before you say that it’s because parents forced, I would like to say that I’m sorry but men (no matter the race) can’t be forced into anything they don’t really want to do. Girls, specifically Indian ones, can and do get harassed and forced. Why is this?

In a way.. its silly to even debate. Where is a “black” person from? I know people darker than me from Thailand.

Nice post but its around ideas that are not real. People just been force feed its real.

Tara,

So, for me, almost everything I know has had to be from books, or Bollywood, or the internet. It’s very lonely.

If you want to know more about Tamil identity, Bollywood is the wrong place to go.. Bollywood mostly reflects Punjabi/North Indian culture/identity..

By the way, somebody smached her car last week. We don’t know yet if it’s related to us or not.

Thanks