American society is a combination of different ethnicities, cultures, and races. Throughout our nation's history, many of these ethnicities and races have fought for equal rights. With the issue of interracial marriage, state laws and racial purity were the concern of many. After many years of laws against discrimination, segregation and miscegenation, a turnaround has occurred. The Civil War as well as the Loving v. Commonwealth of Virginia Supreme Court won marriage equality for all races. Even though it was legal to marry interracially, many people still disapproved of the idea. Today, in the 20th century, interracial marriages have progressed and couples are living together publicly. Even though interracial marriages are becoming more common, these couples still receive unfair and mixed responses from society. These mixed reactions tend to affect these couples as they have in the past. Before 1967, interracial marriage was illegal. The reasons were simple. Since the white race was superior, any interracial involvement with an “inferior” race was seen as devaluing the purity and superiority of the majority race (Yancey and Lewis). Because of this belief, many states have enforced miscegenation laws. This law annulled any marriage between a white, black, Indian or multiracial person. If someone attempted to marry interracially, they were subject to a fifty dollar fine and possible imprisonment (Yancey and Lewis). Sexual activity among unmarried interracial couples was generally undesirable; it was more accepted than interracial marriage. Many people claim that a partner of a different race would not understand their cultural background. This is why many people prefer to marry within their own race. The role ...... middle of paper ...... within their own race, while others enjoy the opportunity to mix cultures. Although these couples are free to marry anyone, society as well as family can influence the decisions of these couples through mixed reactions and unfair treatment. Works Cited Root, Maria PP. “The Love Revolution: Interracial Marriage” Temple University Press, 2001. Yancey, George A. and Richard Lewis. “Interracial Families: Current Concepts and Controversies” New York: Routledge 2009 Print. “Interracial marriages in the United States hit a record 4.8 million”: online library. Wiley and Web, April 8, 2014. Bratter, Jenifer L. and Rosalind B. King. “But will it last”: Online Library.Wiley.Np March 31, 2008Elles, R. and Mountford. “Molecular diagnosis of genetic diseases”. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press 2004 “Interracial Marriages.” What is the subject. NP, ND Web April 22 2014