The way we...are?
Legal hurdles of segregation are gone, but social barriers remain
By JAMES A. FUSSELL
Kansas City Star
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - In 1984, Mike and Stephanie Howell did something that used to be illegal.
The interracial couple got married.
Mike is black. Stephanie is white. In the 1950s, many states outlawed such marriages. Even in the 1980s, interracial unions still raised eyebrows, and tempers. People stared, threw eggs at Mike's car and sent him threatening letters.
Today, the Lenexa, Kan., couple said, interracial marriages simply are not that incendiary.
Progress?
You bet.
Acceptance of black-white relationships has come a long way in the 50 years since Brown v. Board of Education helped put an end to legal segregation. The question is, have we?
The answer is inarguably yes.
And no.
Recently the Howells' teenage son went to pick up a date who is white. The girl's father took one look at his dark skin and slammed the door in his face.
Progress?
None.
