Until 1967, numerous states had laws that barred whites from marrying nonwhite. The unions remained taboo for many even after the U.S. Supreme Court knocked down the statutes, until the millennials came alone.

A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that almost all Americans ages 18-29 years old accept interracial dating and marriage. This is in sharp contrast to older generations, especially Americans ages 50 or older, who are significantly more likely to be opposed to the mixing of races and ethnic groups.

And it’s no wonder considering all the famous children of interracial marriage that now dominate pop culture – from our charisma king in the White House, Mr. Barack Obama himself, to the captain of the New York Yankees, Derek Jeter.

Still, there are places in this country that interracial marriage is frowned upon. Take the case of Keith Bardwell, a justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, who refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple saying he was concerned for any children the couple might have.

“I’m not a racist. I just don’t believe in mixing the races that way,” Bardell told the Associated Press.

This situation shows there’s still work to do but there’s no doubt that the American public has grown more accepting over the last several decades.

What can you do?

• Share the rich history of African American culture by celebrating Black History Month in your community.
• Hold a Unity Rally at your school.
• Paint a mural in your school celebrating diversity.