Happa: The New Frontier of Marginality and Disruption of Long-Static Racial Constructs

Recent reports have noted a rise in interracial marriages, which some say represents a positive change in attitudes toward race and ethnicity. However, the available data shows interracial marriages more often entail a union where one person is the member of the dominant group (e.g., White European). So, why is the percentage of marriage between non-dominants so rare? This chapter discusses whether this is a result of minority groups adopting majority attitudes toward other ethnic groups—a reflection of interethnic group conflict between ethnic groups—or just a reflection of the population and patterns of integration. Still, in its own way, this pattern may reinforce ethnic stereotypes and attitudes to the benefit of the majority group and the continued marginalization of ethnic groups.