"Isolated pockets of ugliness aside, the whirlwind of America's College Football Couple continues."
So wrote Chris Dufresne of the Los Angeles Times, describing how Boise State football player Ian Johnson and his bride-to-be, cheerleader Chrissy Popadics, have received about 30 threatening letters and phone calls regarding their planned marriage.
The threats remind us that some Americans--"the less educated, the less willing to change," as Johnson describes them--do not like the idea of a white person and a black person being together in an loving relationship.
When someone anonymously threatens you, you're left with a planted seed of mental fear that the person might be serious and might follow up on the threat.
It's an old way of trying to intimidate people into behaving the way you'd prefer them to act.
The threats have failed; Johnson and Popadics still plan to get married.
According to Dufresne, "Boise State has received permission from the NCAA under the 'special circumstances' clause to use school funds to pay for extra security at Johnson's wedding."
Interracial relationships and marriages are much more common today, and they are also much more accepted within our society.
Even if some people would never choose to enter such a relationship themselves, most of them probably also don't pass negative judgement against others who do.
I would guess that some of the people repulsed by seeing an interracial couple holding hands or kissing also wouldn't be inclined to do much more about it than maybe share their ugly thoughts with someone they trusted to share those thoughts.
Even then, I would assume that the average opponent of interracial relationships wouldn't go so far as to threaten or attack an interracial couple.
Though it's significant for anyone to receive 30 threats--imagine experiencing that yourself or imagine a loved one having to endure that--I regard those threats as far removed from mainstream America. (I hope I'm not being naive here.)
From Dufresne's article, it sounded like Johnson had a similar opinion about the threats.
Chances are that nothing will come of the threats.
It's just disgusting to know that some people out there feel like they have the right to threaten and try to intimidate other people.
The direct threats against Johnson and Popadics are just as bad as any threats Americans face from other terrorists.
It sounds like he's taking the threats in stride--as much so as possible--but while preparing for such a happy occasion as getting married, Johnson shouldn't have to worry in the back of his mind about someone wanting to harm or kill him and his wife-to-be.
Concerning racism, America's come a long, long way.
This story just reminds us that, despite such amazing progress, we still have a ways to go.
I wish Johnson and Popadics great success and phenomenal happiness in their marriage.
May the love they share be stronger than any hate they face, now or later.
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