Ironically, today blacks are the most open about marrying outside of their race with more than 70% not seeing a problem, compared with about 60% for Hispanics and Asians. And black men were three times as likely to marry someone of another race, while only 9% of female blacks did the same.

The Pew study also help verify that we in the West lead the nation with 22% of interracial marriages, compared with 11% to 13% in the rest of the nation.

Overall, many have felt interracial marriages are part of the true American experience. Much hope is seen in the children of these couples. Blended kids can become the bridge between two races and represent a small but fast growing demographic group.

If one's goal is to overcome barriers based on race, the greatest hope may lie with youth. Their attitudes are much more accepting of different races with 80-90% of those between 18-29 supportive of interracial marriages. But I was shocked to learn that among whites over 65, a stubborn majority of 64% still have issues with a relative's marriage to someone of another race. The phrase "time heals" may stem from the fact that old beliefs aren't changed, rather they die as people die and their beliefs fade into the past.

Perhaps that's what occurred in Alabama, the last state to officially change interracial marriage laws. They delayed until 2000 when the state legislature finally overturned their unenforceable ban.

I am thankful for significant changes that have occurred during the decades of my marriage. Beliefs against interracial marriages may linger but many will eventually expire. And I have hope other prejudices will also dissipate as time passes and narrow beliefs dim in the context of history.