Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 February 2002 — Page 2
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THE MMANAPOUS RECORDER
FREMY, FEBRUARY 22,2002
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LOVE
Continuod from A1
interracial relationship. My The Branhams: Our daughter
husband’s parents were strongly opposed to our dating and marriage. We didn’t get to know each other until after our wedding. We have since reconciled and become very close, I think due greatly to the births of our children, and the longevity of our marriage. The Branhams: Wife’s family was negative; husband’s family was wonderful and supportive. Wife’s family has now changed for the better and you would never know there had been six years of
no communication.
The Recorder: Have the adversities you’ve faced as an interracial couple made your rela-
tionship stronger?
The Evers: Yes. Early on we were put in a position of “us against them,” which made us very protective of our relationship. My husband was forced to make a choice between me or his family, and I have a lot of respect for the bravery of his decision. Past experience has shown us that although our extended family is important, marriage requires you to put the family you’ve created together ahead of
everything else.
The Branhams: Sure. We have each other’s back and really protect each other. We work hard to create a comfort zone for our family. Our love is deep, it has to be. Because outside pressures can be hard, we have a strong commitment to each other and our family. Finding a church where we can be comfortable has been a blessing. The Recorder: You always hear people ask interracial couples about the children ... how will the children learn how to cope in the world? What race will the children identify with? How will the children fit in with either race? — What about the children? How do you respond to these types of questions? The Evers: We have chosen to live in Pike Township due to its school system and the high number of Black and tri-racialstudents. The best wky for us to prepare our children to cope with people, is for them to feel good about themselves. On our street there are other biracial kids, and our children have friends of many racial backgrounds. I would rather our children grow with a network of friends whodon't force them to choose. Black or white. If they do feel that pressure, perhaps they will choose, or maybe they’ll realize that anyone who comers them into a decision perhaps isn’t a person they should be friends with to begin with. We want our kids to know that we will support and help them if they personally feel they need to choose. I’m always struck by how many of these issues truly relate more with cultural and socioeconomic differences rather than racial differences. Those are other issues our child will have to sort out for themselves.
has a great start in life because George is her dad and Jackie is her mom. Black and white people are so hung up on color, and our daughter can have some advantages in dealing with all different types of people. Coping, fitting in, and choosing are all part of growing up, no matter what racial background a kid comes from. As parr ents it is our job to prepare our child for “real life” and as a mixed couple we are qualified to do that. The Recorder: Do you havea funny anecdote about being aa interracial couple? j Mary Jane Evers: At my husband’s past place of employment, a guy told a racist joke and immediately after, John took out his billfold and asked him, “Did I ever show you this picture of my family?” The guy froze and then started back-pedaling saying “I didn’t mean anything by that.” Joha glared and said, “I’m sure you didn’t, ‘cause if you did it would bg a fireable offense.” The Branhams: Many time! when dining out as a couple Jackie is asked “table for on??” We just laugh and say “oh no,” and Jackie says “this is my husband, the tall, dark and handsome gentleman, we would like to sit together!” The Recorder: For many Aft* rican-American women, the sub^ ject of interracial dating/marriage is very touchy? Many Afri-can-American women feel white women are stealing the Black men and so on. What is your opinion on that issue? Mary Jane Evers: I’ve always had a hard time with the comment that anyone can steal a person from
another person.
The Branhams: How could a person steal something that did not “belong” to another in the first place? Get it together and take care of your own business first. Do not trouble yourself about why a brother would marry a white woman and not a sister. Pray that God will bless that marriage and bring the right mate for you ... whatever the skin color: After all, our children may one day date each other. , The Recorder: What advice would you give new couples in an interracial relationship? The Branhams: Take care to surround yourself with positive, loving friends and family. Live in a well-integrated neighborhood, educate your children in a racially mixed school, and find a church where you can seek comfort and support. Find your own way as a couple, and teach your children to find their own way. Re-learn our country’s history, as painful as that may be for both of you, and give your kids the same lessons. Be ready for the pain that is sure to come, but have the tools and support in place so it will be there when you need it. ,
WORK Continued from A1
declare which department they wish to serve in.” African Americans account for about 20 percent of the 740 Indianapolis firefighters within the city’s four battalions. “This is a viable career for many African-American men and women,” said Williamson. “Most people think that we just run in and out of burning buildings all day and that simply is not true. We respond to about 5 to 20 emergency calls a day and most of those calls come from sick people who have had heart attacks or people in car accidents and the like.” While many firefighters risk
their own lives for the safety of others, as seen in last year’s Sept. 11 attacks, Williamson said many people enter into the profession despite such harsh realities. A typical schedule of one 24hour period on the clock, with 48 hours off the following days, allows for people to have a life outt side of their profession, said Williamson. r “And that is what some people love. That kind of schedule makes it possible for parents to spend time with their children and be more involved in their children's liv and education,” he said. “It al: allow many to pursue other interf ests and hobbies.”
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