Much of the parents' reactions, according to Metcalfe, is caused by environment. A lot of it is exposure. We know that 90 per cent of prejudice is based on fear and ignorance and they just haven't hd the experience to know. If you know enough people from different cultures and different races, your fears will be alleviated just by knowing them as individuals. It's certainly a matter of education.
Many parents fear the public's reaction to interracial relationships.
While they may be able to accept the relationship themselves, the thought of their children being harassed makes some uneasy. Beth and Michael have had some first-hand experience with those the public reacts. Beth says that a romantic dinner in a small town was ruined one night. We couldn't get served. They wouldn't even bring us water.