State of racial relations in DU: What do you think about interracial dating?

[Colobo]

Poll question: State of racial relations in DU: What do you think about interracial dating?

After the Obama-Wright situation and the importance of race in this electoral cycle, I'm wondering what's the state of racial relations in DU- what DUers think about race and how it affects their lives.

So, as a black Puerto Rican of African and Spanish descent DUer who lives both the black and the Hispanic experience in the states, and whose girlfriend is a white Argentinian of Syrian, Italian and Spanish descent, I ask you: What do you think about interracial dating?

[LadyoftheRabbits]

1. I'm in an interracial relationship

So I love it. :) ZombieNixon is Indian and I'm of British/Dutch/Greek descent.

[Droopy]

2. Anybody who suggests there's something wrong with it is a moran.

[harmonicon]

5. yep

but it's a tough question to ask, because I don't think anyone would be honest about it anymore (having negative feelings about it), at least around here. I know I've read ridiculously racist things on this website, but I don't even think the people who posted those things would have the guts to admit to being racist in such an open way as stating so in a poll.

[Colobo]

3. Kick.

[Oeditpus Rex]

4. I wish MsKandice were single

:)

[DarkTirade]

6. Hottest girl I ever dated was half cuban half portuguese.

And the first girl I ever kissed was asian. :P

[SarahB]

7. It should be a non-issue in this day and age. nt

[RoadRage]

8. I've done it.. can be great

Didn't work out - but race wasn't the reason. He was a typical "guy".. :)

We have several friends who are black/white and hispanic/white- great people, totally in love.. can't imagine them with anyone else.

Why anyone would think this is "wrong" is beyond me.. and in 2008, they should be utterly ashamed of themselves.

[Withywindle]

9. There's an option you forgot to put on the poll.

"I exist because of interracial dating, and if you so much as suggest there's anything wrong with my mama's and my daddy's marriage I will KICK YOUR RACIST ASS." :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. I think it's as normal as apple pie!

:hi:

[Connonym]

11. I have, I think it's perfectly fine

but, at least where I live (WI) you might face some criticism. I've never felt any obvious public hostility but when my sister (who is white) lived with a man of a different race (granted this was a few years back) her boyfriend (who is black) got some grief from some of his black female friends but my sister never mentioned any criticisms she personally faced.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. As in any relationship, the important thing is personal compatibility,

not physical features.

[Richardo]

13. What year is this, 1965?

Is this even a question any more?

What's next: "Integrated drinking fountains - boon or bane?"

[terrya]

14. It's a beautiful thing and I'm all for it.

[flvegan]

15. I've done it, and I'm all for it.

[av8rdave]

16. physical, intellectual, emotional attraction happens - color is irrelevant

[La Lioness Priyanka]

17. its a non issue

[IndianaJones]

18. I don't think I have a big problem with it. nt.

[yardwork]

19. I don't understand exactly what is meant by "race." Biologically there is no such thing.

Human DNA is very homogeneous compared to that of most other species, including other primates. Our DNA is so homogeneous, some folks speculate that humans almost went extinct some time in our fairly recent past, and all present-day humans are descended from a very small group of early humans. Whether that's true or not, the fact is that we are very homogeneous.

Since there is no biological basis for "race," I feel that discussing people's race is somewhat like discussing people's eye color. I realize that people group themselves into different cultural clans. But there are strong cultural differences between so-called "white" groups as well. Isn't there as much difference between a Bostonian and a southerner - even assuming both are Anglo - then there is between an African American and an Anglo?

To me, paying undue attention to a person's skin color makes about as much sense as paying undue attention to their eye color.

The next barrier - getting folks to recognize that same-sex relationships are ok. I wonder what a poll asking about that on DU would reveal, assuming folks answered honestly.

[MissMillie]

20. Find love where you can

It's a cold world out there.

[LeftyMom]

21. I'm horrified that anybody still thinks it might be an issue.

People fall in love. Pigmentation is not a factor in that. The end.

[racaulk]

22. It's a nonissue for me. n/t

[qb]

23. I was recently in an interracial relationship.

I was attracted by his kind eyes, his honesty and integrity. It didn't work out, but we're good friends now. It does feel kind of weird to post in this thread... skin color is completely irrelevant.

[joeybee12]

24. other: why does it even matter what I think?

Most people have moved past thinking there's anything "wrong" about that...although sometimes when I see things posted in GDP I must wonder.

[BOSSHOG]

25. I'm a white male and dated a black girl in 1968

we were 14 at the time, military brats and soon parted ways but we had a great short time together. She was a very sweet friend.

"Interracial dating" is just something else for "christian conservatives" to show their true "colors" over.