A normal part of everyone's life is developing loving relationships with different kinds of people and celebrating them. In everyday American culture, we see relationships form all the time where a boy and girl meet, go on cute dates, declare a relationship, meet the parents, the parents love the boy and girl, etc. However, there comes a twist when it comes to interracial relationships, especially when it comes to an Indian girl with and American boy: Prathibha Srikantan and Alex Estrada. Prathibha and Alex are both students at The Ohio State University and definitely had a few twists in their relationship when it first started because of their difference in race and background.
How did you two meet?
Prathibha: Long story short, we met in high school. We had a lot of mutual friends. Eventually, we bumped into each other enough and started talking.
What were your first impressions of each other?
Alex: She seemed pretty laid back and cool -- a mellow person.
Prathibha: I thought he was a little intimidating and really attractive.
What are your favorite things about each other?
Alex: Even if we weren't dating, I could see us being really good friends. But the fact that we are dating means I get to date my best friend.
Prathibha: His jawline.
Did ethnicity or race play a big factor in you two falling for each other?
Alex: Yes, a little bit. Her being different made her attractive to me. Looks-wise and everything else.
Prathibha: No, I had always been open to any race or ethnicity, the only thing that mattered to me was his personality, intelligence and if I was personally attracted to how he looks. Didn't matter if he was white, black, Asian, etc.
What were some problems that arose because you two were not the same race?
Prathibha: This question applies more to me. I had restrictions from my parents because my culture doesn't approve of dating the way his culture does. Especially since he was not my ethnicity. Also, I had been immersed in his culture so I understood his customs more than he understood mine. It did make him unhappy, sometimes, that I couldn't stay out late or openly date him for a while in the beginning.
(Writer's Note: Prathibha is definitely right. In Indian culture, dating is definitely frowned upon because arranged marriages are still a part of our custom. Due to this, many Indian children who grow up here face the confusion of whether they should date or not regardless of what race or ethnicity their potential partner would be).
How did you overcome these problems?
Prathibha: So, I had to talk it out with my parents. It took a lot of discussions, patience, persuasion, understanding and compromise. But at the end of the day, they care about my happiness and safety. As long as my education and values were not compromised, they will be willing to accept our relationship.
How would you like future generations to change their views or actions regarding interracial relationships?
Alex: Doesn't matter what race anybody else is as long as you are good to each other. It shouldn't be one of the top things you consider when you think of dating someone.
Prathibha: I agree. Imagine limiting yourself to a portion of the population when your perfect match lies within a different race or ethnicity from you. I also don't think it should be frowned upon as much as it is in many Eastern countries and cultures. At the end of the day, the goal is to be with someone you love and makes you happy. Match clothes, not skin tones.
Alex: Couples who wear matching clothes are gross.
I have seen Prathibha and Alex together and I don't think I've seen two people so happy with each other. This clearly shows that race shouldn't be a factor when you try to choose a potential partner. At the end of the day, we should all embrace our differences and come together to celebrate them; not use them to keep us apart.
