Can You Be Considered Pro-Black in an Interracial Relationship? (3297 hits)
Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, who was so eloquently referred to as that “Educated Slave” and how ironic it was that his girlfriend is white. Ejiofor, who is making his media rounds to promote 12 Years A Slave, the movie in which he plays Solomon Northup, a free man from New York who was kidnapped, and enslaved in Louisiana. I’m not sure why an interracial relationship in Hollywood is so shocking- only thing shocking to me about the image is I never thought he was heteros*xual. Not that it matters. I couldn’t find anything to confirm his romantic involvement with the woman in the photo. If it is, big deal. I see where they were going – at least what controversy they attempted to cause, but they were reaching. I can admit, that I gave a side eye when I found out Henry Louis Gates, who is known for his research and teaching of Black culture was married to a white woman. Was I shocked? No, not really, but it’s not uncommon to feel a bit bamboozled when someone spends their career profiling our culture professionally, but doesn’t share it with us romantically. I remember years ago having a teacher, who for all intents and purposes was about that pro-Black life. She was always adorned in head wraps, wore ethnic print clothing and African jewelry. She was basically a walking talking Mother Earth type image. I always thought her messages to be profound, and I recall the day she introduced the class to her sons. I never met their father, but it was quite obvious looking at his offspring he had to be white. At that time, and mind you, this is years ago, I felt that everything she said, every lesson she taught on the importance of Black pride was a lie. Clearly, she’s sleeping with the enemy! But this was years ago. Many, many years ago and I can’t say I feel the same way. I am however interested in what everyone out there reading this thinks. If someone is known for being “pro-Black”, would being in an interracial relationship change your opinion of them? Leave your comments below!
