In the 19th and 20th centuries, there existed a fictional character in American Literature aptly referred to as "Tragic Mulatto" or "Tragic Mulatta." A Mulatto/a is simply a child borne of parents belonging to different races, specifically Black and White. With an identity torn apart between two opposing races, this character struggles to understand and fit in to either world, trying to figure out where he or she is better accepted. This character was usually depicted as angry and suicidal. Whatever the case may be, the Tragic Mulatto/Mulatta almost always ended up with a sad ending.

The abomination of anti-interracial relationship laws and society's acknowledgment and acceptance of races other than one's own has resulted in the Tragic Mulatto/Mulatta's exit from the stereotypes of modern literature.

Today, we see interracial characters being linked together in books, TV, and on the silver screen. Authors such as Michael Thomas in "Man Gone Down" and Richard Powers in "Time of Our Singing" have both discussed interracial relationships in their literary work. Latina author Cherrie Moraga also exposes interracial relationships in her written works.

On TV, we see a black surgeon in Dr. Preston Burke falling in love with a Korean Cristina Yang on "Grey's Anatomy." On "The L Word", a black Bette Porter is paired up with a white Christina Kennard.

We have also seen Julia Stiles pair up with Sean Patrick Thomas as Sarah Johnson and Derek Reynolds in "Save the Last Dance" released in 2001. Independent film "Neo Ned" by Van Fischer features a white racist who falls in love a black woman in a mental institution. Winner of numerous awards such as Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress in the Palm Beach International Film Festival and Best Screenplay in the San Diego Film Festival, "Neo Ned" has allotted space for interracial relationships in movies.

Although the depiction of interracial romantic relationships in literature and the visual and performance arts has dramatically increased, one may still contest and question the fact that it has done so little in wiping out public scrutiny. Interracial relationships remains taboo despite of the numerous appearances it has made everywhere.

It is important, then, to recognize that changing a collected opinion which has sprung from centuries-old controversial issues cannot just disappear overnight. It is a long, tedious process and the practitioners of whatever is considered taboo can and must only be patient.

It seems that the Arts, once again, is doing exactly what it is supposed to be doing - rebelling against unnecessary, unfounded, and discriminatory social constraints; exposing social realities that are worthy of general acknowledgment; and providing venues for expressing personal opinions, values, and ideology.

The Arts has, over the years, proven itself as an effective tool in breaking away from common belief and misconceptions about social issues. It has proven itself significant in the rather challenging process of redefining how society thinks and what it appreciates.

Jim Grafiti is the owner and operator of one of the world's number one interracial dating sites. Jim's goal is to increase awareness of interracial dating online and help singles meet up with their dream match.

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