I recently read a book that absolutely knocked my socks off. It was called "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas. I wanted to read the book because I heard that it was full of drama and issues that are relevant to the world we live in today. The main issue of this novel is (SPOILER ALERT) the fight against police brutality in relation to African-Americans.

That wasn't the only appeal of this novel though. I was also intrigued at the portrayal of the relationship between the female African-American character and her Caucasian boyfriend. I didn't realize that almost 50 years after the Civil Rights Movement, interracial dating was something to talk about. I wanted an inside perspective on this topic from someone who has experienced interracial dating.

My lovely friend Samantha let me interview her about her relationship with her African-American boyfriend Michael. Below are some of the things she told me.

J: Did your family have any reaction to you dating someone outside of your own race?

S: His family was completely normal about it. However, my family was a bit scared for me. They didn't think he would hurt me or anything like that, but they were worried that people would stare and make derogatory comments. People do stare sometimes, but it's just something to get used to I guess.

J: Do you think that your childhoods were very different? If so, does this cause conflict in your relationship at all?

S: I was taught as a child to trust the police and adults if I was ever alone and afraid. Him, not so much. He was told to wear bright colors when he went walking at night so he wouldn't look like he was being shady. He was also told to always look up when he was alone with girls.

When we discuss our childhoods, I think of our future children. How am I going to explain to them that they need to be wary because of the color of their skin, but I never had to? It's heart-breaking to think of you know? Michael and I discuss children and I'm almost scared to bring them into this world where in parts of it, they will not be welcomed. But Michael? He's so used to the inherent racism in society that it doesn't phase him. He knows what that world is like because he has lived it for his entire life. He doesn't expect it to change anytime soon or ever.

J: Has the way people react to your dating ever caused fights or almost lead you to break up?

S: There are some fights that we have gotten into when we've caught people staring at us if we hold hands or kiss in public. He always says he wouldn't be mad if I wanted to leave him because of this. I can exit that role anytime I choose, but this is something that he will deal with for life. The fights usually end in me telling him he is crazy to think I would let our love be comprised by such shallow-minded people.

J: Are there any parts of your relationship that are humorous that same-race couples do not experience?

S: I don't think people realize the difference in hair. I have had to learn how to deal with curls and styling curls when my straight hair has never been like that. I've gone to salons where there are products I don't understand how to use or when to use. It's funny, but also kind of frustrating.

J: Do people act differently toward you both depending on where you are like area-wise?

S: When we go farther south, Michael turns into the only colored person in the room, and although he's used to it, it sometimes throws me off. He would never complain about it, but I can see people staring at us as if we belonged to the circus; as if we are another oddity to be observed. If we go into the inner city, I can feel out of place and I try to imagine what it's like for him.

J: Do you have any last comments about this?

S: When I see older generations of African Americans, I always wonder if they're happy to see how far racial equality has come or disappointed in how far it still hasn't come. I'm more aware of it because of my relationship of course, but it's something that's always made me feel ashamed of my skin.

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I hope that this article doesn't offend anyone in any way, shape or form. This is merely my opinion and an interview with my close friend. I hope that it causes you to think about the world we live in and may possibly help you if you are in an interracial relationship and feel alone in your struggles.