In Othello, the idea of race is tested. The main character is black, with pure intentions and is "white" on the inside; his friend, Iago, is the opposite. On the outside he appears white, but the corrupt and evil thoughts associated with "blackness" consume him. He is taken over by jealousy and has nothing but evil intentions, so self-absorbed that he doesn't realize he's bringing destruction to good, innocent people.
I bring this up because, while the relationship between Othello and Desdemona is one of two races, race really isn't a big part of it. Like the Lovings, they just fell in love with each other and didn't even think about their different races. I feel like race would not have been an issue in this play had it not been for Iago. He was the one who really inforced the negative stereotype of the "moor" in order to further his plan, invoking fear in Desdemona's father and anger in Roderigo. Othello was the complete opposite of this stereotype before Iago got into his head, and I think this idea of forcing a stereotype on someone is prevalent in our society. For example, we associate poverty and drug dealing with blacks, but we make it so that in order to make money and support themselves, the best option for them IS said drug dealing.
As far as issues with interracial marriage outside of this play, I think it's just another issue created out of slavery and racism. These racist thoughts have been ingrained in everyone's minds, making white people think they're superior and forcing blacks to believe they have no potential and are limited to their stereotype. This would obviously guide white people away from engaging in a relationship with someone who wasn't white, while making blacks feel like they weren't good enough. This is why stories like that of the Loving's are so special; they looked past race and just fell in love with what was beneath the surface. That's how it should have always been, but for some reason loving someone for who they are and not for their skin tone hasn't been in practice until recent years.
