Eric Liu

About the author: Eric Liu is a regular contributor to USA Today and MSNBC. He has served as a speechwriter for President Clinton and he is the author of The Accidental Asian: Notes of a Native Speaker.

Social critics as far back as Alexis de Tocqueville have proclaimed that intermarriage is the only true path to healing racial strife in America. However, while interracial marriage is a powerful symbol of love transcending racial barriers, it does not have a substantial effect on racism. Despite increasing numbers of interracial families, racial stereotypes, such as the belief that lighter skin color is more desirable, are still prevalent.

Sometimes, as my wife and I walk down the street, we'll notice a couple coming the other way. We won't do anything to indicate that we've seen...