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It's all because of taboo?

Posted by James, 19 Nov

Jacque Reid (above), who co-hosts the 'New York Live', lifestyle show on WNBC-TV News Channel 4 accepted a challenge presented by an online dating service that was geared to hook her up with available men in New York. She is one of the beautiful, educated, successful and single black woman in New York.

Reid set her record straight about this choice: "I’m not desperate to get married. I’m happy being single". She was very enthusiastic about the online match-up challenge saying "It will be fun — and I’ll get some dates."

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But two days later, Reid changed her mind about it saying she was busy. But was 'being busy' her real reason?

Much as Reid was earlier excited about being set-up, she changed her mind because of the dating service's name : InterracialDatingCentral.com. (Keyword: interracial)

So why would the word "interracial" make this beautiful, well-educated woman shy away from something she really wanted to do?

Its all because of taboo - the opposition from the black community about the idea of a woman of color dating men of other backgrounds. And a good example is the routine online savage of the black character Olivia Pope (played by Kerry Washington), on the ABC show 'Scandal', for having an acted affair with the show’s married, white president of the United States.

Christelyn Karazin, co-author of 'Swirling: How to Date, Mate, and Relate Mixing Race, Culture and Creed', who also writes the blog 'Beyond Black & White' says: “People don’t understand. They think it’s no big deal, but it is.” Karazin was set to help Reid find new men from all races and doesn't understand why one needs to be "brave to date whomever the hell [they] want to."

Karazin, a black woman who has been married for more than 12 years to a white insurance executive, Michael, has also had her fair share of criticism (some of it hurled online) mostly from black men for 'marrying out'. She says: "Black men date or marry interracially at more than double the level women do. They are given a pass. They can date anyone they want to — black women, white women."

And for this reason, she doesn't believe that black women should be limited by race when looking for partners.

Do black women shy away from interracial dating sites because of taboo?

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3 responses to "It's all because of taboo?"

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  1.   A_Mused says:
    Posted: 26 Jan 15

    People are too focused on race and they miss out on a lot. Learning about each other is not only what we do in a relationship; but as friends, family and acquaintances we take the time to understand and learn about the people around us. If we're to judge someone then it should be by his or her character; not by the color of their skin.

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  2.   Blackindians says:
    Posted: 20 Dec 14

    One should be able to marry who ever they choose. My mom was half white(french) Cherokee indian, shawnee indian, and black, but my mom looked more indian, very light skinned. My dad was a dark skinned black indian. And I took after my dad. I always dated who ever I wanted to. My very first boy friend in junior high was Portuguese and the black guys didn't like it then and now. My mom always ttold us to do what makes you happy. My children are white, indian, black, and salvadorian. And they are very light skinned. All my life I have dated white with the exception of a few black.and today I still date white men only.i think that she should make her own decisions about who she date and not worry about what's taboo and what's not. In the end if these people love her they'll except whatever decision she has made. Live your life honey and not any one elses! Blackindians

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