Myths about mixed marriages and biracial people have emerged from centuries of socially and politically constructed racisms. Throughout history, such blindness has caused for there to be racial divisions within the Black community. The belief that mulattoes and/or fair-skinned Blacks are somewhat better than their dark-skinned brethren has created many limitations for our culture. Creating this division has separated the Black race on grounds of socioeconomic status, religion, and education. Mulattoes have been so far removed that the practice of segregating within ones race still persists, because of advantages granted to them by White plantation owners in the past. This form of separation dates as far back to slavery. Against a backdrop of love and rape, politics and war, and, ultimately, power and privilege, attitudes about skin color evolved in America (10). Interracial mixing caused problems socially for both Blacks and Whites. Some activists thought this to be harmful to the slavery institution. Such relationships would weaken the foundation by preventing it from receiving moral acceptance (12). Despite criticisms from politicians and activists, White men continued to maintain sexual relationships with their African slaves. Mulattoes were usually given the indoor jobs while dark-skinned slaves were left to do physically grueling field work (18). The separation of work created tensions within the slavery structure. Field hands generally envied and resented the house servants (18). Plantation owners would sometimes free their mulatto children and assist them in business or trade or farming ventures (15). These privileges allowed for the mulattoes to advance further than the dark-skinned Blacks socially and economically. They were given the opportunity to be more independent by achieving financial and educational success.Giving unique privileges to the mulattoes allowed for them to serve as a link between Whites and ...
