How to Handle Slurs Against an Interracial Relationship

It is definitely not the era of Jim Crow any longer, but that doesn't mean there aren't still bigots and racists in the U.S. There are plenty of uncouth, unkind people who will not hesitate to cast aspersions and racial slurs toward interracial couples, making these relationships sometimes difficult. However, there is help, and some who have gone down that relationship road before you can offer their experiences, strength and hope to those who are still coming up against bigotry today.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Remain calm whenever you or a loved one is verbally assaulted. The old "sticks and stones" lesson still rings true. It's not exactly true that names will never hurt, but usually names will only hurt you if you care what the person saying them thinks.
2. Check out interracial dating sites as well as websites and organizations devoted to racial amity and understanding. They will have information for interracial daters of all ages. If you are of college age, whether enrolled or not, your local junior colleges, colleges and universities will likely have a wealth of materials on these topics.
3. Resist the temptation to respond in kind with slurs or threats. Most materials on dealing with racists counsel keeping a cool head, not letting yourself get baited, leaving the scene of an altercation and not responding to physical challenges.
4. Handle threatening situations by attempting to defuse them. The situation will likely play out according to how the verbal part is proceeding, so if it's winding down, the whole incident will usually be defused. Work to end confrontations peaceably.
5. Visit the CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) website to learn how you can help the cause of racial harmony. The more you work against the scourge of racism, the better the future is likely to be. One day, perhaps, articles on how to handle slurs against an interracial relationship will no longer be needed.
6. Grow with the experience. Part of any interracial relationship is learning to handle the remaining bigots in the world. Let your experience make you stronger.

Tips & Warnings

• Resist the urge to return insults or escalate any racial incidents. Do not sink to the level of the racists.