Building New Cultures, Reframing Old Images: Success Strategies of Interracial Couples

Abstract

This work examines the relationship strategies employed by Black-White interracial couples and considers their unique challenge in managing a relationship that commands so much public scrutiny. The field of communication has highlighted many differences in racial styles. This work attempts to explore how intimate communication across racial lines can and does work effectively. The authors consider four stages of relationship development (racial awareness, coping, identity emergence, and maintenance) to explore the communication requirements at various stages of the couple's life together.