Nearly Half Of Mississippi Republicans Think Interracial Marriage Should Be…Illegal?
Before we get into the absolute lunacy of this story, let’s cue that good ol’ Nina Simone record.
As a Mississippian, I’d hate to say this, but every time we try to prove the stereotypes about the fattest, most illiterate state in the Union wrong, there are plenty of people who make sure that we hold on to it. We couldn’t believe this, but 46% of self-identifying Republicans in the state indicated on a poll they believe marriage between interracial couples should be illegal. To make matters worse, only 40% said it should remain legal, with the rest claiming they are unsure.
Back in the day, this would’ve made Arsenio Hall go hmm…
Not surprisingly, the Republicans who support banning interracial marriage are also most likely to support Sarah Palin and Fox News. Mississippi Republicans would also like current governor Haley Barbour as their next president. The poll did not identify respondents by race.
Of course, there are a few theories as to why these individuals feel those with jungle fever should go to jail. First and foremost, it speaks to a still widespread (even in 2011!) belief that people of different races are somehow inferior and therefore relationships—much less marriage—between two races should be banned. See how thinking in stereotypes exacerbates stupidity?
Also, due to Mississippi’s standing within the Bible Belt, many have developed an interpretation of the Scriptures that calls interracial relationships sinful. Of course, these interpretations are self-serving at best, created by wildly skewing the context of the actual written words. Is it possible that such a strong stance against interracial marriage is backlash against President Barack Obama, who is biracial and is the product of an interracial marriage?
Seriously—at this point in our history as a society, should any of these things matter? Consider this: You meet the perfect man/woman, with personality and all of the intangibles you dream of and all of the attractiveness you could ask for. It would be completely illogical to walk up to this person and say, “Wow, you are everything I’ve ever dreamed of in a mate. You’re gorgeous, intelligent, creative, spontaneous…the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, you are (insert ethnicity here) so I just can’t date you.” At the end of the day, we all want a compatible partner. Period. If we’re against interracial relationships, we drastically decrease the pool for potential mates.
It’s time for Mississippi to grow up. The end.
Source: Rawstory
Popularity: 1%
This is absolute liberal loonicy attempting to make the republican party look bad again you people in the media need to get out into the sun sometime maybe you will find a life out there that dosent involve making up lies about people that you disagree with. you are supposed to report the truth not try to cause more trouble for everyone
Ah, great song, and great article. Things like this really give the lie to the Republican claim that they’re the party of Small Government, that Democrats are trying to control people’s personal lives, etc. The Republicans don’t want a less-intrusive government; they just want it to intrude in different ways.
As for the liberal lunacy, I regret to say that “unflattering facts” and “the republican party” coincide at times. For example, Sen. John Kyl stated that 90% of Planned Parenthood’s funds went toward abortions, when the number is actually… 3%. “Not intended to be a factual statement” was John Kyl’s response to the truth coming out.
The Republican Party, when it serves their interests, makes untrue statements, also known as lies.
If reporting the truth, and “making the Republican party look bad” are mutually exclusive in your mind, then… well, that’s impressive, albeit sad. I know a couple dictators who also strive for such unquestioning loyalty…
If that law were to happen, they would also have to legally define “race”. Good luck with that one! Would it be based on appearance? No, that wouldn’t work, too subjective. DNA test? I bet a lot of “white people” would be surprised to find out their past has some “dark” secrets (pun intended)!
Bottom line, there’s really not much of a chance that a ludicrous law like that could be passed. Even if it did, it would be almost completely unenforceable.
Also, I hope they realize that “interracial” means more than just black+white!
For better perspective
http://www.gallup.com/poll/28417/most-americans-approve-interracial-marriages.aspx
Here is a Gallup National Poll from 2007. The trend line in America is steadily toward more acceptance of interracial marraige. But it is a recent trend. It stood at only 77% approval in 2007, including 10% of Blacks who dissaproved.
I think what the Mississippi poll shows is that a minority who have drifted into the Republican party, and as voters are skewed older, there is still a plurality against interracial marraige. This does not show any Obama backlash, since there is no historical perspective to compare this sub-culture against.
In other polls I have seen, while the trend line is the same as the national, the resistance within both the black and white community is stronger in the deep south where interracial marraiges are not as common. Give it another 15 years and I think you’ll see number well under 25% for even Mississippi republicans – remember the most opposition in all the polls is from the ederly regardless of race or politics.
Mississippians who claim the Scriptures forbid interracial marriage obviously haven’t read Numbers 12, in which Moses marries a Cu****e (read: black) woman, and after Miriam criticizes him for doing so, Miriam gets struck with leprosy for being a racist.
I’m surprised there aren’t more cases of leprosy in Mississippi…