On Wednesday, more than 20 students gathered to discuss an issue relevant to both Black History Month and Valentine’s Day: interracial dating.
The discussion, which took place at Northwestern’s Black House, a gathering place for campus African-American groups, was part of a month-long schedule of events sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs in honor of Black History Month.
The topic was chosen because it would engage a diverse group of students. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., a historically black sorority, co-sponsored the event as part of their “Finer Womanhood Week 2008.”
At Northwestern, the large demographic disparities on campus make interracial dating an important topic.
“The small number of students of color on campus lends itself to more interracial dating,” said Shawna Cooper-Gibson, director of African-American Student Affairs.
Multicultural Student Affairs sponsored a similar discussion two years ago.
“The conversation turned out really well,” Cooper-Gibson said. “It is a great opportunity for students to voice their opinions on an issue that remains not so much controversial, but interesting.”
Staff members at Multicultural Student Affairs opened the discussion by relaying four trends in interracial dating: black men dating white women, Latino men dating white women, black men dating Latina women and white men dating Asian women.
The hour-long discussion broached a wide array of topics including the effect of one’s environment upon dating, how religion and class differences impact relationships and interracial dating in other countries.
Attendees discussed the roles parents continue to play in their children’s relationships.
“It’s disappointing to know that this is still an issue and that it is so ingrained in the family structure,” Weinberg junior Samuel Ludington said.
Ludington said he came to the discussion because he wanted to hear what other students had to say about the “hot topic.”
“I think of dating as something that is supposed to be fun and enjoyable as opposed to something so analyzed,” he said. “It was enlightening in some respects, but I don’t look at dating through that lens.”
Kelila Venson, Weinberg junior and president of Zeta Phi Beta, also came to the discussion to hear other students’ opinions.
“It was definitely very mind-opening to learn about where people are coming from,” she said.
According to Multicultural Center administrators, plans for continuing this discussion are already in place.
“This is a discussion that shouldn’t stop here,” Venson said. “People need to think outside of stereotypes.”
Information for Black History Month events is available at the Multicultural Student Affairs Web site.
sheena agarwal/the daily northwesternHoward University alumnus Bernard Murray discusses stereotypes about interracial relationships.
