Love and Race: Has interracial dating in South Carolina finally been accepted?

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One of the most public manifestations of race relations is the choice of one’s partner or spouse. This very individual and personal aspect can sometimes produce a lot of public discussion. A recent survey conducted at SC State suggests that 92 percent of students agree with interracial dating.

“I think interracial dating is perfect,” said Freshman Criminal Justice Major Nate Smith who is a white student. “I don’t think you should judge someone for what’s on the outside, you should love them for who they are.”

Over the last several decades, the American public has grown increasingly accepting of interracial relationships. This shift in opinion has been driven both by an attitude change and by the fact that over the period, successive generations have reached adulthood with more racially liberal views than earlier generations.

The Pew Research Center’s recent report finds that more than eight-in-ten Americans (83 percent) now agree that “it’s all right for blacks and whites to date,” reflecting the most dramatic change among the racial attitudes tested in Pew polls. Among this, large majorities of 18-to-29 year old’s express support for interracial dating; mostly college students.

“I feel that race is not something that should depict who you do or don’t date. If you love the person, color, religion, or anything else should not be an issue,” said junior Psychology major, Brooke Ehinger, another white student at SC State. “I do think however, that relationships are very difficult and it would be difficult to date outside of your race just because of the different comments or looks that you may get from others who might not agree with your situation. But if you are strong enough in your relationship, then it should not be a problem.”

But do interracial relationships really work? “Me personally, I don’t see a problem with interracial couples, but I would never date a white female,” said freshman Allen Branon. “I just can’t see myself with them. No disrespect, but I don’t find them attractive.”

Although Branon represents 8 percent of SC State students, interracial couple Eric Shattuck and Shabree Roberson strongly disagree. Shattuck and Roberson are both sophomore students at SC State and the chemistry is still there after two years and three months. Shattuck, white and Roberson black, started dating at their high school in Austin, Texas. While working as student aids in the front office, Robinson pursued Shattuck by sending him a letter asking him out on a date. After that date, things have been going great since.

“It wasn’t a conscious decision but I knew it would be hard to approach him because I didn’t know how he felt about interracial dating, but after I did, he was like any other guy,” said Roberson. “I see interracial dating just like any other dating. Where we’re from, it’s pretty common,” said Shattuck. “Sometimes we get weird looks, but it’s nothing that we can’t handle,” added Roberson.

Shattuck and Roberson’s interracial relationship has taught them a lot about each other. “We definitely learn a lot about each others’ culture. It contributes to our problem solving skills,” he said. “We learn to approach problems with a different view point. I’ve learned to adapt to another culture. I can’t view things like I used to, and I’m learning from this experience.”

You may think that because these two are an interracial couple, they go through a lot of problems outside of their relationship, but everything seems to be peaches and cream, with the exception of a few stares. Their parents have accepted the relationship and even the older the generation; their grandparents.

“It’s not as bad as I expected going into the relationship, we just have our everyday challenges just like any other relationship,” said Shattuck.

Despite the success that Roberson and Shattuck are having, not all interracial relationships work out. Sophomore Special and Drama Education major, Elizabeth Watkins was one of those persons who had difficulty.

“My interracial relationship did not work. The start of the relationship was great, but because of the race difference our families did not agree with it. Love was not strong enough to keep us together.” Watkins also expressed being criticized openly for her choice of partner. “People would curse at us, give us weird looks and call him a nigger lover [in Charleston, SC].”

STEREOTYPES

Dating outside of one’s race; generally black and white couples, come with a lot of stereotypes. Most African American guys surveyed said that dating a white female is easier than dating an African American female.

“I believe all races are beautiful,” said Freshman Mechanical major, David Heirs. “Although white girls are so much easier to talk to at STATE! Most African American females are hard to talk to, they seem more stuck up. It’s hard to have an intellectual conversation with most and dealing with them in a relationship is a HUGE challenge. White females are more laid back and easier to date. They seem more appreciative when it comes to a relationship.”

Based on Pew Center research, 47 percent of African American males agree that white women are easier to date than African American females. A poll done by The Collegian shows that out of 100 guys, 63 feel like African American females make dating more complicated.

Freshman Tamoya Morrison disagrees with this stereotype. “Even though I’ve never dated a white guy, I don’t see a problem with it. I don’t agree with all of the preferences, I feel like everybody’s the same.”

“I definitely don’t agree with this stereotype,” said Junior Antoinette Baker. “If black guys think we’re too hard to date, then THEY made us that way!”

Although guys have their preference, so do females. An alarming 76 percent of SC State’s females say that they would NOT date a white guy.

“I wouldn’t date a white guy because I feel like a black guy would know me better,” said Sophomore Alicia Heyward. “A black man would know my needs and wants in contrast to a white man.”

Despite this, Pew Research Center reveals that there is a high level of acceptance when it comes to interracial dating, this holds true across ethnic and racial groups; there is no significant difference between white, black and Hispanics in the degree of acceptance. Interracial relationships have finally become more of the norm than the exception.

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