This is what it’s like for interracial couples right now

Was last week the first time you had real, honest conversations with the people in your life about racism and the treatment of Black people in America? For interracial couples, those conversations happen regularly — because the racism experienced by the Black partners in these couples happens day in and day out.

‌

As James Tyler, a Black man who owns a photography company with his wife, Christy, who’s white, told HuffPost: “I feel like we are partners, and part of being a partnership is knowing we can be open and vulnerable with each other, and that goes beyond who the white partner and who the Black partner is. The only way to make any partnership work is through truth, and we have always talked through everything, especially regarding race, so this time is not new for us.”

‌

That doesn’t mean this moment is easy for interracial couples, though — far from it. “I have been psychologically triggered by past traumas that have resurfaced and have been trying to process everything,” James said. As for Christy, she’s “been really worried about what [James] needs and also generally just worried for his safety, as I always do, when he leaves the house,” she said.

‌

Go here for more from James, Christy and other couples on what it’s like to be in an interracial relationship today. And keep having these important conversations with family and friends.

‌

Xo, Ashley Rockman

Plus, what these couples are telling their kids

bride and groom at Black Lives Matter protest

In case you missed it:

It’s the wedding seen ‘round the world: Newlyweds Kerry Anne and Michael Gordon did their “first look” at a Black Lives Matter protest in Philadelphia. “I come running around the corner and I see Kerry standing with a circle of people around her just cheering, and she’s literally standing there looking like a Black princess. That’s all I see,” the groom told Vogue. “These peaceful protestors, positive energy, cheering, yelling, people with their phones out taking pictures and videos...I walked up to her and took her hand, and she was shaking. The energy and passion and moment, everything that was going on, was just blowing through her.”

The photos are just beyond

FYI:

With large gatherings banned or discouraged around the country due to coronavirus, couples have had to postpone and reimagine their weddings to fit with current guidelines. We talked to wedding planners about what weddings will look like for the foreseeable future — think individually portioned and plated hors d'oeuvres, black-tie face masks and video cameras on tripods.