Checkerboard Chick Speaks Out

In the words of the 2007 Disney hit, Hairspray, I am a self-proclaimed "Checkerboard Chick." Which is slang for, I am in an interracial relationship. I am an African-American woman dating a White male. Now, you would believe that in the grand year of 2010 that publicly there would be no problem with this, and for the most part there's not, but I've come to find it's the little things that make an impact.

For example, if my boyfriend, Cody, and I are simply strolling around the mall hand-in-hand, we will get the lingered looks, the shocked faces. It's as if people are honestly surprised that an interracial relationship exists. My request: please don't gawk at us like we have a third foot or some deformity; we are simply two people in love-that is all.

I will admit it is rare to see an interracial couple, especially in the south, and being different will cause people to stare. But let it be known that we are exactly the same as any other same-race couple. We are in love and love knows no skin color :)