Al's Experience with Interracial Dating
Laurinburg,NC, located in Scotland County, is a small town with roughly 20,000+ residents; it fits the sterotypical 'small' town mold--everybody knows everybody.Al Ingram knows all about Scotland
County; it was his home for 19 years. Although he has fond memories of growing up in Laurinburg, he always knew he was never a carbon copy of anyone. He chose to be an individual and never allowed others opinions to affect his actions or words--especially when on the subject of those close to him.
Interracial dating is not a hot topic in Laurinburg. Interracial dating does occur, but not in large proportions; for the most, people date people in their own race. Al was not bothered by the fact interracial dating is scarce in Laurinburg. His opinion was and still remains that he's going to date whomever he likes, regardless of race.However, while attending Scotland High School, Al mostly dated Caucasian girls. Although the majority of his high school relationships were not drastically affected by race, he did experience some racial problems--particularaly in his realtionship with Martha Chavis.
His family and friends are very open minded about his dating preference. His friends and family's only concern was for all emotional well-being--not the color of his girlfriend's skin. Al's relationships with both Whitney and Martha were automatically accepted.
Al commented that the only people who openly opposed his interracial relationships were the general public of Laurinburg and Martha's family. Al recalled times when he and Martha would be out public and people would constantly stare and he noticed Martha's slight unwillingness to acknowledge their 'couple' status in public. Although, he never directly had contact with Martha's family, Martha later told him how her family was completely against interracial dating. Martha's family influence caused her to end the relationship, but Al understood. The two remain good friends.
With Whitney, things were and still are a lot smoother. Whitney's family did not accept Al automatically, but they soon they welcomed him into Whitney's life. Al's race also did not bother Whitney's friends. Although Al and Whitney do not date, the two are very close.
