One of the obstacles that people face is that of interracial dating. It would seem that in a world as sophisticated and advanced as ours, two people from different cultures and backgrounds could date without cause for concern or without issues from family and friends, yet that is not often the case. So, let’s take a look at what the numbers say about interracial dating in this day and age.

While there are those that believe the world is still backwards in its dislike for interracial relationships, the truth is that the world has come a long way. A Gallup Poll in 1965 revealed that 72% of white Southerners wanted interracial marriage banned. Even in the more liberal North, 42% of the population was convinced that mixed marriages shouldn’t be legal.

Yet, despite the naysayers the numbers have grown. In 1970 there were 65,000 mixed marriages in the country. By the time 2005 rolled around the number had grown to 422,000. This has increased the percentage of interracial marriages from 2% to 7%.

Of course we know far more these days about interracial marriages than just base numbers. We also have learned just how these marriages are arranged. For instance, in marriages between white and African-Americans couples, 73% of the couples are arranged as African-American males and white females. However, the role is reversed when it comes to white and Asian couples. In those situations it is more than three times likely that the male is white and the woman is Asian.

Maybe the biggest pattern occurs between African-Americans and Asians. When these two races get together it is six times more likely that the male is African-American and the female is Asian. What this essentially means is that while most of these couples still date primarily within their own race, the competition is growing from other races. No longer is a white woman only pursued by white men. These days anyone can be married.

However, not all races are blessed with the luck it takes to get married. For instance, for every 1,000 Asian women that are married, only 860 Asian men are married. What this suggests is that Asian men are more interested in marrying Asian women, while Asian women commonly marry outside of their race. By contrast, for every 1,000 African-American women that are married, 1,059 African-American men are married.

These numbers show that there is a significant amount of people who are finding love in more than just their own race. It would seem right that love shouldn’t have limitations. If two people are right for each other, race shouldn’t matter.

Why do Asian men date white women? Often times their boxers will get bunched up for a white female because they don’t get exposure to blondes in their home country. Plus they were never taught to control their reproductive organs at the sight of something new. Also, people in general chase after what they feel they cannot obtain. Since white females in America generally act more snobbish, Asian men learn not to appreciate what they have and go for people who show no interest.

Why do white women date Asian men? It is possible that white women date Asian men because they are sterotypically smart and are capable of making good amounts of money.

Why do white men date Asian women? Because Asian women are generally educated and down to earth. Their values have not been corrupted by traditional American attitudes on white supremacy. On the other hand, some white men think Asian women are easy, and some women are because that’s what it takes for them to get out of the poverty of their home country. Approach an Asian American woman however, and you will get a different story.

Why do people care? The differences in race unfortunately lead to different reasons for associating with one another. I hope that soon enough people will stop taking advantage of one another, but this can only happen if the whole world is created equal. If everyone were created equal and had equal access to education, there would be more access to jobs and less people would be using their spouses for money. But there would still be some lazy people who just don’t want to do anything on their own. I guess that’s good news to those who use their own money and status to get romance.

Here are some times for your first conversation with that special someone you’ve met online:

1. Send them an e-card in an email or on a social networking site inviting him or her to a one on one conversation with you.
Who says your first date has to be a face-to-face encounter? Send them a little message expressing your interest. Let them know when you’ll be available to have a nice conversation about whatever it is you’d like to discuss. 2. Take a look at the other’s profile.
Before you even initiate conversation, take a look at your new friends profile and write down five questions that you could ask him or her based on what he or she is interested in. Note: If you do not share all of the same hobbies, that’s ok! It is good to find someone that you can experience new things with. If he likes to fish, a good conversation starter might be, “So where do you go fishing? Do you have a boat? I am not big on fishing, but I am always up for working on my tan!” This not only shows you have a sense of humor, but it shows you are willing to be flexible, so you both can enjoy what you are doing. 3. Have fun with your conversation.
Be honest with each other from the beginning. Go back and forth and tell each other all of the things you can’t stand. For example: I can’t stand it when the toilet seat is left up, or I can’t stand it when a man drinks directly out of the milk carton. Doing this will probably initiate some funny stories that you will be able to share with each other. If it starts to become too much of a downer, turn it around by telling each other all of your “I love it when…” scenarios. For example: I love it when I turn my computer on to find a sweet e-mail or I love it when someone cooks for me.

4. Do not give out your personal information.
Don’t share your personal information with anyone online until you are sure that you may have a relationship with them. It’s always better to use nicknames and metro areas instead of your real name and your exact place of location. When the two of you are comfortable with each other, share your personal information.

Dating a woman of color is no different than dating any other woman. But be sure that any myths or stereotypes about Black women are put aside before you set out to date one.

Let’s talk about some of the myths about Black women and explain why they are myths and should not be taken seriously. We’ll enable you to know how altering your attitude about Black women increases your odds of landing a date with a good one. We’ll explain how important it is to remove any notion that Black women are like what you see on tv.

Myth 1: Black women like White men who act like stereotypical Black men.
Many White men assume that Black women similar to their men to behave like they’ve been raised within the “ghetto” or like the stereotypical Black man. This really is far from true. Black women, like women of other races, want men who show affection, respect and intelligence. Don’t approach a Black woman let’s assume that you’ll score any points by using the latest hip-hop jargon. It enables you to sound and look very ignorant.

Myth 2: Black women aren’t intelligent.
Are you aware that Black women outnumber Black men 2 to at least one in getting degrees? Yes, Black women are seeking better educational opportunities plus they are highly intelligent. Don’t assume that what you’ve learned in school or what you are aware of is over her head. Black women, like the majority of women, don’t like for males or other people to treat them like a bimbo.

Main Point 3: Black women are not gold diggers.
It comes with an ugly misconception about Black ladies and money. Thanks to music videos and several other ugly depictions on tv, Black for women who live been wrongfully called gold diggers and sugar babies. The truth is that we now have a lot more gold diggers and sugar babies who’re non-Black. Don’t presume that every Black woman desires your money or wants anything of your stuff other than a loving and nurturing intimate relationship.

We’ve discussed some of the misguided beliefs that have sadly been linked to Black women. Make sure when you choose up to now a Black woman that you are doing the work its the best motives – for love, companionship and bliss. Check out the Milk & Mocha Interracial community for more information about interracial dating.

Now, we are here in the United States; a smorgasbord of races that are now able to openly be attracted to one another.  Sure, traditionalists may frown upon it, but there is no more Jim Crow laws that states it is illegal.  So here it is all races are free game to one another; white, black, Hispanic, Asian, Arabic, Persian, European, and so on.  With so much freedom, what is the outlook?  I at times wonder what white men think when they see a white woman on the arms of a black man or vice verse.  What about a Hispanic man who sees a Hispanic woman on the arms of an Asian man; once again, in vice verse.  Does it matter?  Probably not, but this is something that we all must be open to accepting.  Why?  Because it won’t stop, actually, it will only grow. 

Am I opposed to it?  No.  Do I actually partake in it?  Sometimes.  I am black and am actually more attracted to black women more than anything else, but I have encountered and have been highly attracted to white, Asian, and Hispanic women.  Ask yourself a question: What do I want?  We can’t be worried about what people will say or think of us, instead, we have to become universal ethical egoist and worry about our own self interest with no concern of the next.  Sure, mom and dad might not agree, but its okay.  This is a new society and a new age.  In a time where you can get rich selling merchandise over the web without any communication with the customer, why can’t we have a high tech way of thinking.  Remember that one day, the traditions that you know will one day become obsolete.  When you are old and see things going on that you yourself wouldn’t have taken part in, just know that this article is an eye-opener and you can refer back 50 years from now. 

I am a black woman. I was born in the UK and am of African descent. I have never had any particular preference for any particular race when it comes to my personal relationships. I was brought up in a predominantly white neighborhood, so one would expect that as hormone changes occur during your teen years, you naturally start to become attracted to people around you depending on your sexual orientation. It is human nature is it not? I remember my first kiss when I was 15 was with a tall lanky boy with ginger hair and blue eyes. I had a major crush on a tall boy from the neighboring school who had Brown hair and brown eyes. My first boyfriend was very tall with dark brooding eyes and big kissing lips. If you notice, when I remember these men in my life, I do not refer to their skin color, but it is plain that the first two were white. The third happens to have been black and of Jamaican descent. My current boyfriend is white. Growing up, I did not choose partners based on skin color. If I was attracted to someone and they were attracted to me, we simply got to know each other and went from there. Skin color did not come into it, yet it seems to be an issue for other people.

On hearing that my present squeeze was white, my own cousin remarked that I was the “kind of person that was contributing to the problem of Britain turning brown.” Yes indeed, he actually did say that.

There seems to be an increasing trend for black women like myself to date white men. As a result, more and more people are discussing this subject, suggesting that black women are growing tired of black men and are selling out. Or that black women are fed up of dating black men who treat them badly, or who do not have jobs or that black women feel that white men will just treat them better.

How about this for another option. Living in the United Kingdom, a diverse country in which black people are a minority, it is inevitable that you will socialize with and work with men and women of different races and backgrounds. Sometimes things just develop naturally and beautifully between two people who have similar interests and passions who just happen to have different skin colors. I am not fed up of black men, I am not ignorant of my history, I love my skin color, I love my nappy hair, I love my broad nose and my thick lips. All of these things make me “me” and are a part of my “blackness”. My African culture and heritage, I love and celebrate it all. I am not denying these things by dating outside of my race and people who make that kind of assumption are in my opinion small minded ignorant people with nothing better to do with their time.

     We all know that love is supposedly blind and sees no color, unfortunately for us, people do. I have found that individuals are reluctant to romantically approach counterparts of a different race in social settings. Sometimes it’s because of the fear of rejection, but many times it’s because they have already played the eventual turmoil that will ensue frame by frame in their minds. Parents, friends, and family members all seem to weigh in on the subject to ensure that “this mix” doesn’t occur. The funny thing about it, is that they never have any justifiable reason to object, but will claim with great fervor that they are not bigots. Of course, some races are okay to mix with and are more acceptable, and therefore pedigree, accomplishment, and overall decorum are not really in question. In these cases, the decision is not rejected, and in some cases derives a great deal of pride for the family…go figure. These types of relationships take strong individuals to endure.  Friends will talk trash, family will talk trash (and sometimes threaten), all in the hopes of preventing what? The union of two people who love each other? The possible birth of a beautiful child? Or could it be the opportunity to learn something new? Whatever the reason for preventing this supposed betrayal, one thing is for sure…ignorance abounds! 

     The problem as far as I can tell is judgement plain and simple. Unfortunately, humanity has come to a plateau, where our perception of cultural differences is dictated by the media. We watch, we listen, we absorb, and then we judge, assuming the most extreme stereotypes when encountering people of different cultural backgrounds. These assumptions and judgements follow us into “the club”, bars and any other fleeting social setting where we may have only a moment to connect with another. For example: the White guy who walks up to the Black girl and says “yo wassup shawtie” and starts flailing his hands in mock gesture. This is an instance where he probably didn’t realize that he was being offensive and blames his rejection on the fact that he is White.  What he doesn’t understand is that, contrary to popular belief, all Black people do not speak in this manner, and it doesn’t make him more endearing by “acting Black”. I’ve seen this type of painful scene over and over again with different mixtures and someone always throws a big ol’ monkey wrench into their own game by assuming based on race.    

      People are people, period. Counting your chickens dead before they’ve hatched is never an action that behooves us. We all have the same makeup underneath of our skin, we all feel, we all experience fear, and we all experience love. Race should not be a mitigating factor unless one is guided only by fear. Love in itself is a beautifully painful and fearful experience as it is. Being ourselves, no matter what skin we’re in, is what matters the most. For if someone cannot accept, respect, and love you for who you are, then I say that they don’t deserve the opportunity to begin with.

We all need a life partner and companion – someone to confide in, share our good and bad times with, and help us relieve all the stresses of the day. We might still be in the stage believing that we can survive single but it will come to us sooner or later. Life is too hard to be lived alone.

That’s why interracial dating shouldn’t exist as an issue anymore. We are dating either to have fun or to find something meaningful that would last a lifetime. Our ultimate reason for dating is to find this one person who would brighten up our day. Everyone is in a search of this one so-called perfect fit – our “other half”…the one you love and the one who makes you feel loved and comforted.

This person could be anyone: black, white, Asian, Arab, Hispanic, Latino, etc. This person could be three-legged, blind, handicapped, two feet shorter than you, obese or a real geek. This person could be way poorer or way richer than you. This person could be anyone, but you would love him/her and he/she would love you because this is how your heart would feel.

When there is an attraction and there is a feeling of love, no other factors count in a relationship. They might be a hurdle or two but you would survive it because your love would be strong.

A relationship with someone of the same race, class or social status may be accepted by society but won?’t necessarily make you happy unless there is love bonding you together. Hence, no matter what race or class you come from, love and dating are pretty universal.