This weekend history was made when Michael Sam became the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL. For the most part, the move was well received. However, the ‘kiss’ caused quite a stir. Some notes, the media went too far and didn’t have to show Michael kissing his significant other.
Let me pose this question: What is the difference between Michael kissing the person he loves than me kissing my husband when I received my first contract offer?
You see, not too long ago, my husband and I were not allowed to be married. Interracial marriage in the United States didn’t become fully legal in all U.S. states until 1967 when the Supreme Court deemed anti-miscegenation laws unconstitutional.
Do I love my husband because he’s Caucasian or vice-versa?
For those who must know, the answer is no. We fell in love. I didn’t go looking to fall in love with a Caucasian man; nor did he exclusively date outside of his race. Yes, as humans we tend to have a ‘type’ . I am attracted to taller, more athletic man. Have I ever dated a man that is less than 6 foot? You betcha!
I’d be a liar if I were to say I don’t notice his color or some of our cultural differences. But what caught my attention right away were his lips, his eyes and his shoulders. Almost ten years later, I still find myself thinking Wow, I love his shoulders. I love this man. I am not in love with a Caucasian man. I am in love with a man and he’s white.
There were also comments about too much coverage of the event. When a specific group is fighting for equality, then no news coverage could ever be too much. I hope we reach a day when two men in love, two women in love or an interracial family with their biracial daughter on a Cheerios commercial does not receive negative backlash but perceived as part of the norm.
In my novels, I write about the kind of romance that reflects today’s society. My FMC and MMC are of a diverse background. While their cultural, demographic differences are mentioned, those things are not the focus. Love is.
Martin Luther King once said he looked for a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin or by their sexual preference, but by the content of their character.
I’m a writer of contemporary women’s fiction and romance. I write about diversity without focusing on our differences. Join me in my journey and celebrate love.
love & kisses,
Mika Jolie
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