Cultural Interview #2
This week I have an interview with Aly and Naquan, who are an interracial teen couple. Naquan says he was worried about getting scalped at first, since Aly follows her Native American heritage, but so far things are going well :). Give it a read, you'll enjoy it!
RA: Aly, could you briefly explain your ethnicity and religion/religious background for our readers?
Aly: I am a mixture of different ethnicities, but I choose to follow my Native American heritage. I participate in ceremonial sweat lodges, pow wows, etc. A few years ago, my family and I were adopted into a Maryland tribe.
RA: Naquan, could you do the same?
Naquan: Well, I am of the African American descent. I have some Native American in me somewhere, but it's there. Lol. I have followed Catholicism my entire life and I still follow it even today. But, I am opening up to looking into my Native American ancestors.
RA: How long have you been dating?
Aly/Naquan: We have been dating for 9 months now.
RA: Aly, how has your immediate and extended family reacted to you dating Naquan?
Aly: My family loves Naquan for who he is as a person. My youngest brother (Age 14 with autism) loves to play games with Naquan. He always has a smile on his face when Naquan is around. They support our relationship and want to see us last a very long time.
RA: Naquan, what does your family think?
Naquan: This is how they feel...All the girls that I brought to the house, my family were like, "They need a sandwich in their lives." But, now they don't even say it because they know Aly can cook. They are so used to me bringing home some up-tight, preppy and sassy, skinny girls. Thinking they are all that and a bag of Doritos. They just got tired of them and I did too. So, I did myself a little experimenting and I love the outcome of it. My family accepts her for who she is and what she has and doesn't have.
RA: Aly, which would you say is more true, that Naquan has joined your family, or that you have joined his?
Aly: Naquan has joined our family...hands down...lol. He is always over to our house and hanging out with us as a family.
RA: Naquan, I understand that you go to tribal meetings with Aly. Do you feel welcome there, or is it uncomfortable?
Naquan: I feel very VERY welcomed there. No one has given me any dirty looks or bad vibes...yet. First time I went there with one thing on my mind, that I was gonna get chased out with tomahawks and bows and arrows. I didn't know how much they would get off of my hair, but I thought I was gonna get scalped by the Aunts and Uncles.
RA: I'd like both of you to answer this question: If you could say one thing to magically make people change their minds about your interracial relationship, whether it be close family, friends, or the world in general, what would it be?
Aly: We are all the same on the inside. If you cut the both of us, we will both bleed red. Naquan and I find happiness with each other, so what should it matter that we look different? If two people can fall in love then who is anyone to judge?
Naquan: I just wanna put it out there that people always say that age is just a number, right? Well, skin is just a color. If people say that white is not a color, than why did Crayola put it in the box? If everyone gets in a circle and cuts themselves, they'll see red blood. Accept everyone on who they are and not what the past portrayed them to be. That's the past, this is the present. Get over yourselves and stop thinking your above/below someone because of their color and background.
RA: Thanks, you two, for giving us a little insight into your relationship. I really appreciate your time and effort, and enjoyed learning a bit about you!
If you enjoyed this interview and would like to get notices about future interviews and other blog posts, just subscribe!
RA: Aly, could you briefly explain your ethnicity and religion/religious background for our readers?
Aly: I am a mixture of different ethnicities, but I choose to follow my Native American heritage. I participate in ceremonial sweat lodges, pow wows, etc. A few years ago, my family and I were adopted into a Maryland tribe.
RA: Naquan, could you do the same?
Naquan: Well, I am of the African American descent. I have some Native American in me somewhere, but it's there. Lol. I have followed Catholicism my entire life and I still follow it even today. But, I am opening up to looking into my Native American ancestors.
RA: How long have you been dating?
Aly/Naquan: We have been dating for 9 months now.
RA: Aly, how has your immediate and extended family reacted to you dating Naquan?
Aly: My family loves Naquan for who he is as a person. My youngest brother (Age 14 with autism) loves to play games with Naquan. He always has a smile on his face when Naquan is around. They support our relationship and want to see us last a very long time.
RA: Naquan, what does your family think?
Naquan: This is how they feel...All the girls that I brought to the house, my family were like, "They need a sandwich in their lives." But, now they don't even say it because they know Aly can cook. They are so used to me bringing home some up-tight, preppy and sassy, skinny girls. Thinking they are all that and a bag of Doritos. They just got tired of them and I did too. So, I did myself a little experimenting and I love the outcome of it. My family accepts her for who she is and what she has and doesn't have.
RA: Aly, which would you say is more true, that Naquan has joined your family, or that you have joined his?
Aly: Naquan has joined our family...hands down...lol. He is always over to our house and hanging out with us as a family.
RA: Naquan, I understand that you go to tribal meetings with Aly. Do you feel welcome there, or is it uncomfortable?
Naquan: I feel very VERY welcomed there. No one has given me any dirty looks or bad vibes...yet. First time I went there with one thing on my mind, that I was gonna get chased out with tomahawks and bows and arrows. I didn't know how much they would get off of my hair, but I thought I was gonna get scalped by the Aunts and Uncles.
RA: I'd like both of you to answer this question: If you could say one thing to magically make people change their minds about your interracial relationship, whether it be close family, friends, or the world in general, what would it be?
Aly: We are all the same on the inside. If you cut the both of us, we will both bleed red. Naquan and I find happiness with each other, so what should it matter that we look different? If two people can fall in love then who is anyone to judge?
Naquan: I just wanna put it out there that people always say that age is just a number, right? Well, skin is just a color. If people say that white is not a color, than why did Crayola put it in the box? If everyone gets in a circle and cuts themselves, they'll see red blood. Accept everyone on who they are and not what the past portrayed them to be. That's the past, this is the present. Get over yourselves and stop thinking your above/below someone because of their color and background.
RA: Thanks, you two, for giving us a little insight into your relationship. I really appreciate your time and effort, and enjoyed learning a bit about you!
If you enjoyed this interview and would like to get notices about future interviews and other blog posts, just subscribe!
No comments have been added yet.
