We Asked 17 Black Men If They Would Date Outside Of Their Race
Wayment! Are folks still opposed to dating outside of their race in 2018? I know, being a Black man, you want to stay connected to the culture during this uncertain social climate. But when it comes to love, is exploring your options taboo or perfectly acceptable?
On the latest episode of Insecure, Molly, played by Yvonne Orji, refused to go on a date with a seemingly good guy because he wasn’t Black. Wowww, Molly! BUT I appreciate your loyalty to us black men. (Wakanda forever!) Her girls begin to grill her about how insane she sounded for wanting to keep it within the culture. Not only was her girl Issa confused AF about Molly’s dating restrictions, so was BlackTwitter.
Don't get it twisted though. There were some that agreed with her 100 percent!
Eventually, Molly decided to explore her options.
We asked real Black men whether or not they are down to step outside of their race to find love, and they had to a lot to share. Check it out:
“I never even considered it”
“I was raised to not date outside of my race. In Atlanta, growing up, it was actually a horrible thing. Being Caribbean as well had a lot to do it with it. I remember my sisters telling me to never bring a white girl home when I went to college. So for me, I never even considered it. I am married now, to a beautiful Black woman.”
-Barry, 29, Miami
“I dig it”
“I think interracial love is dope. I dig it.” -Travis, 26, Brooklyn, NY
“I don’t care what race she is”
"Is this still an issue? What year are we living in? I don’t care what race she is. Living in New York, no one is truly ‘Black’ or ‘white’ nowadays.” -Drew, 24, Silver Springs, MD
“It was hard”
“I don’t have a problem with it, but I get what Molly was trying to say. I dated this white woman once. She was cool, not trying too hard to be someone else. The problem was with her folks and friends. She was raised in Indiana. So she didn’t really have a diverse group of friends.
"So it was hard because I felt she was shamed trying to explain our relationship to her friends and family. It wasn’t like [ the movie] Get Out, but let's say that movie had some truth.” -Brian, 26, Harlem, NY
“This is a black woman issue”
“I don’t think this is an issue for men. As you can see, this is a Black woman issue more than anything. For me, I hear Black women say this a lot.” -Antwan, 34, Washington, D.C.
“Black love is powerful”
“Becky with the good hair is never a good idea. Black love is powerful.“ -Keith, 25, Los Angeles
“If they make me happy”
“Yes, if they make me happy in all the ways I need.” -Will, 30, Atlanta
“I am really attracted to my own race”
“I think I could, but I’m not putting effort into it. If someone comes, they come. But I am really attracted to my own race at this point in my life.” -Eric, 31, Brooklyn, NY
“Black women are annoying sometimes”
“Love is love. Black women are annoying sometimes. TBH.” -Rob, 24 Atlanta
“I will take a Beyoncé or J Lo”
“I prefer my Black women, but I get why some men want something different. I will take a Beyoncé or J.Lo. ” -Keith, 27, San Francisco
“As long as they don’t try to act black”
“I have never thought about it. But there are some baddies out here in Los Angeles. As long as they don’t try to act Black. Sometimes I meet those type of women.” -Mario, 25, Houston
"The women typically are raised differently”
“I tried to date outside of my race. It just never goes well. Culturally we just don’t understand each other. The women typically are raised differently from what I am used too, so I get Molly when it comes to catching them up to what we experience.” -Jabari, 24, Jacksonville, FL
“I’ve never limited myself”
“I’ve dated outside of my race, Filipino. I’ve never limited myself to one particular race. Love, in my opinion, has no race.” -Sean, 28, Landover, MD
“It’s all pink in the inside anyways”
“I would and have. Dating and finding a person to connect with is hard enough. I don’t have time to be filtering by someone’s race. As long as you look good and we vibe right, I’m all for it. It’s all pink in the inside anyways. Molly appeared narrow-minded. She’s entitled to like what she likes. But after a while, if you haven’t made any progress, it's time to switch it and try something new. ” -Ramond, 31, Bronx, NY
“You learn so much”
“Yes, yes, yes! You learn so much not only about yourself, but someone with a different cultural upbringing than you.” -Antonio, 29, Atlanta
“To restrict yourself to one race is close minded”
“We live in a global society. To restrict yourself to one race is close minded. It’s not about Black and white people no more. Interracial dating means to me other people of color, too. Much respect to Black women. I love them!” -Rakiem, 24, Fort Lauderdale, FL
“It’s nonsense”
“In today’s world, I feel that everyone should reserve the right to connect with whomever they please. As the lines that use to divide cultural norms distinctively, socioeconomic strata, racial attitudes, and identities, continues to blur; so does our need to date inside our own race. It’s nonsense. I feel that my relationship with my girl is based on an honest and genuine connection.
"I don't deny that there are deeply rooted attitudes and anxieties associated with interracial couples, and deeply rooted frustrations that come when other people see it. I do acknowledge that the medium has shaped my view of attractiveness and beauty. It’s a hard situation to be in for some Black women, and I understand. However, I won’t allow those issues to box my true feelings in, you know.” -Justin, 34, Tallahassee, FL
