Deeper Than Black and White

Deeper than Black and White By: Jalen Robinson

Back during the Jim Crow days the thought of a black man being in any kind of relationship with a white woman was unheard of and looked down upon. On the other hand there was an acceptance for white males to be with black women. This roots all the way back to slavery times when the slave master would rape or have sexual relations with his black female slaves. The traditional image of black men was that they wanted nothing more than to rape white women. This was shown in DW Griffith film “The Birth Of A Nation” during the silent era.[1] 

But overtime things have evolved and changed. In clip we watched in class called “Sex in 69” this change was nationally claimed during the 1960’s when Jim Brown, former professional football player, was the lead actor in the movie “100 Rifles”.[2] This movie showed an interracial relationship with Raquel Welch and that love could exist between a black male and white woman. This was a part of the sexual revolution. 

This went against tradition because it was the first time the black man was seen a lover in a film. Jim Brown wanted this film to break barriers for other males and help make a case for sexual equality. As Jim Brown stated “Many black men wanted to date white women because they couldn't do it before. They were like the forbidden fruit and they wanted that”[3]. It is now common in this day and age that you see an interracial couple. This subject personally affects me because my great grandparents were an interracial couple, which being my great grandfather was black and great grandmother was white. It’s a beautiful thing that we are able to come together for love no matter what race we are.

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[1] Sex in '69. Film. New York: A & E Television Networks :, 2008.

[2] Sex in '69. Film. New York: A & E Television Networks :, 2008.

[3] Sex in '69. Film. New York: A & E Television Networks :, 2008.