Wouldn't it be amazing if we were all free to fall in love with who we choose? Well, it seems that some of the South-Asian community aren't as supportive of this when it comes to interracial relationships, including my own mum. Unfortunately for me, I have had a first-hand experience of being told that I can't be with my partner just because of the colour of his skin - how ludicrous!

Anyway, I should explain a bit about myself and my partner before I get into my story; I am a British-born, South-Asian Muslim woman and have been with my half-Jamaican, half-German partner for over three years now. We met online in 2013 and immediately became friends as we had many things in common, even including our religion (he is a Muslim revert). Since we are in a serious relationship, our goal is to create a steady income together and get married after I finish my degree. However, I didn't get the support that I was hoping for...

I don't want my daughter with a black man as people will speak badly about us

I have always been close to my parents, so didn't want to hide my relationship from them and told them about it as soon as me and my partner got together. Immediately, my mum disliked him without knowing anything about him. I thought it was because of my intentions to marry so soon, but unfortunately it was because of his ethnicity. In fact, her exact words were: I don't want my daughter with a black man as people will speak badly about us�. It was unfair for my mum to put family image first, to the point that she was discriminating which I completely disagree with. It doesn't matter about a person's race, they shouldn't be judged by it!

To an extent, I understood my mum's concern regarding cultural image as it is more accepted for a woman from a South-Asian background to be with someone of the same culture. Unfortunately, our culture prioritises reputation, cast and marrying the same ethnicity to the point that some women are married off to their cousins or even strangers, just to adhere to cultural standards. However, this doesn't make it okay for someone to be discriminated against. For example, my mum thought that just because of his race, he would get me pregnant and then leave like majority of black men do�. Such stereotypes and racism is not acceptable, therefore I continue to stand up for my partner no matter what.

I hate shining a bad light on my mum, as she is still my mum and is very kind and caring, however racism is wrong - not to mention her hypocrisy too

I hate shining a bad light on my mum, as she is still my mum and is very kind and caring, however racism is wrong - not to mention her hypocrisy too. Her mother disapproved of my dad and she ran away to be with him. I don't understand how she could Have gone through a similar situation, yet still not support my relationship “ instead she says that me being with a black man is karma for her running away from her family to be with my father. It's sad as we have always had a sisterly relationship where I could talk about anything and everything with her, but now I can't. Any mention of him gets immediately swept aside, in fact she has even tried to get me together with other men.

No matter what, I will fight for my partner. I don't agree with my mum's traditional outlook that cares about what people will say� and puts reputation first. It's sad...why must we live our lives based on what some aunty back in Pakistan is going to say? Love shouldn't have boundaries, not to mention Islam states that we should love all regardless of our differences. Yet, due to the judgement of the South-Asian community, many individuals think it is wrong to be with someone of a different race and background.

While older generations are still ruled by traditional values, it should be acknowledged that times are changing. We are in 2020 and for those living in a Western and more diverse culture, it means we are bound to meet and potentially marry someone of a different background - in fact, I was shocked when I saw how common interracial relationships are. This gives me hope that one day my family will accept my relationship. I also hope that others, regardless of their race or sexuality, don't have to fight for their love.