In this episode, Therese Markow and Dorothy Roberts discuss her book "The Mixed Marriage Project," which explores her father's unpublished research on mixed marriages in Chicago. Dorothy's father, a white anthropology professor, interviewed over 500 black-white couples from the 1930s to the 1960s. The book blends personal stories, historical insights, and interviews, revealing the challenges and discrimination faced by interracial couples. They also discuss Dorothy's mother's remarkable journey from Jamaica to Chicago and the impact of her parents' interracial marriage on her life. The book highlights systemic racism and the one-drop rule, emphasizing the need for societal love and equality.
Key Takeaways:
All black movements can be linked back to the Marcus Garvey Movement, which started in Jamaica.
Even within early mixed marriages and organizations for these couples, such as the Manassas Club, there were harmful stereotypes within these groups.
To interracial couples, the biggest barrier was the barrier of the black belt that was created by racially restricted covenants and mob violence against black people.
"The One-Drop Rule was instituted to support white supremacy, and also it proves that race is not a natural division of human beings. Who is black, who is white, depends entirely on social rules, which might be instituted in law, or they're just part of societal norms and expectations. But they're not biological, they're not natural. They're made up." — Dorothy Roberts
Connect with Dorothy Roberts:
Professional Bio: https://www.law.upenn.edu/faculty/roberts1
Website: https://www.dorothyeroberts.com/
Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Mixed-Marriage-Project/Dorothy-Roberts/9781668068380
Connect with Therese:
Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net
Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social
Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast
Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net
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