Int€rracial Dating
Do You Agree?
By Leah Irvin
Age is only a number, beauty is only skin
deep, and it is what is on the inside that counts,
right? Many people claim to agree with all or one
of these statements, yet on the UNC-CH campus
the sight of a young black male with a white
female is cause for eye-rolling and/or some sarcas
tic comment. Those black males who consistently
pursue white females are given “special” nick
names or mocked. But is a contrast in skin tone
such a barrier that it is cause for berating or belit
tling from others?
It seems that within most close groups most
of the members are racially alike. At UNC-CH,
the ratio of African Americans to Caucasions is so
small that it sometimes seems that one mingles
with the same familiar faces everyday. Perhaps
boredom of familiarity is why the phenomenon of
interracial dating occurs on this campus. The
young black male walking hand-in-hand with the
young white female is always noticeable.
Sharese Pryon said, “On this campus, with
so few black males, competition for available black
men is fierce, when you take away those lost to
white girls it makes our situation much more dis
tressing.”
The lack of eligible black males at UNC-
CH is dismaying; yet it is not the only negative
surrounding interracial dating. It seems as if some
of those black males who choose to date outside
their race also refuse to date within their race.
This attitude is the reason why the disapproval of
interracial dating is so prevalent. Carmen Scott, a
sophomore, said, “I don’t believe interracial dating
is wrong. But I would not date someone just
because they are one race or not date someone just
because they are another,” remarks UNC-CH
sophomore Carmen Scott. Unfortunately, some
males on this campus are notorious for doing just
that. Carmen Scott continues, “It’s true that every
one has a preference when it comes to dating; but,
when that preference is based on misconceptions
or stereotypes then it becomes a problem.”
This may be where the greatest controversy
with interracial dating lies. Some black males
attribute their desire to date outside of their race to
the misconception that black females are too
demanding or too high maintenance. Or, these
men would state that they are only attracted to
white females.
So perhaps the feeling expressed by some
on this campus is not one of disgust but one of dis
appointment. It is disappointing that these black
males can not find beauty or attraction in a race
that is mirrored back to them everyday. It is disap
pointing that these males do not realize that any
perceived extra effort they would need in order to
maintain a relationship with a strong, black female
would be more than worth it. It is unfortunate that
they are missing out on a common bond between
their own people; a basis that is unspoken and not
understood. When a yong black male chooses to
date a white female he is forfeiting a connection
that cannot be learned or contrived. Perhaps the
biggest disappointment is what these men fail to
realize; any extra effort perceived neccessary for
building a relationship wih a strong, black female
is more than worth it.
It would seem as though the obvious answer
to the aforementioned question is the difference
between someone’s skin tone is not cause for
berating or belittling from others. Instead, it is
cause for an increased repect and admiration for
those males who can appreciate all the extreme
benefits of being with an African-American
woman.
Leah Irvin is a sophomore, Economics major who can he
reached at lirvin@email.unc.edu.
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Black Ink