Race and dating

Here is a more scientific view of the whole thing
http://discovermagazine.com/1994/nov/racewithoutcolor444
quite long, but interesting.

I also recommend the book Guns, Germs and Steel from Jared Diamond. It tries to explore human history. Doesn't answer all the questions, but at least motivates to question more. Helps us understand "us" and "others" better. According to him, and many other scientists, we are all blacks anyway. Just adapted to our geography during our migrations.

Well until affirmative action is ended you will see these records kept and boxes still present in U.S. society. Well that is another arguement we have covered way too much.

I read that book and it's a very good read. Here's a link from Amazon. Over 1000 people wrote a review of this thought provoking book.

Props LR.

A great book.

The PC terms clearly have racist undertones as they single people out because of their race for no good reason: i.e. they do exactly what the corresponding derogatory terms do. Why use them at all? Why does a non-white American have to have a racial label attached to them?

Perhaps it would be politer to just call them an American.

Sociological issues, I suppose. I agree, it should be ignored.

culture is a factor of ethnicity but it does not equal ethnicity. Ethnicity recognises a common religion, language, culture, and behaviours.

Thanks, but the praise should really go to sparkling she mentioned it first. I simply facilitated the link to Amazon and seconded her great recommendation.

Oops you are correct. Sparkling props.

Exactly especially if that "african-american" was never born there or been there. We had this arguement once at a TT meet up. You do not call one Irish or Polish american if they were not born there or even lived there. Yet if you are Mexican or African not born there or lived there it is placed upon never the less. It is because previous subconcious thought that was placed there from our society and childhood. Once we stop the degrees of seperation based on ethnic background and on rather individual/personal traits then we finally progress. Case in point:

Did anyone ever notice how the Arc smelled funny on the nights Timmeh was there? I mean a shower every now then doesnt hurt ...does it? Then again he was eye candy.

Fixed.

I'm not sure I really know what 'ethnicity' is at all. I guess it's a way to replace the concept of tribes in a modern world where tribes no longer means anything?

This definition tells me ethnicity changes and evolves over time, it is not a constant. In this respect, I think the term African-American doesn't define ethnic background but just race. For many generations now, the blacks in America have the same religion and language as the white Americans. There are sub-cultures and different behaviors in various groups, but such differences exist also among whites.

Maybe it's because the Irish or Polish Americans are in the majority and dominant white race. I agree with your points btw.

Who is smelly Timmeh?
edit: never mind, i found out

Awesome replies. Although the thread was about race in relation to dating, it's good to see some of the replies with data on what defines as a race and all that.

And by the way, for those of you who are confused, the elephant in the room is American slang for seeing a big very noticeable problem but choosing to ignore it out of comfort or whatever. It doesn't mean you supposed to date an actual elephant. Don't know where the term came from but we use it often in America.

Not wanting to date a 600 lbs person because they're too fat and not wanting to date a black person is very different for two reasons: 1) there may be some "fat" people that are actually somewhat attractive and you might date, as opposed to a person that doesn't date an entire race of people and would not think about dating a person even if they are cute to them, and 2) being fat is almost always a result of your diet. Something you can help given the right discipline. I know because I use to be fat. Being black or white or asian is something you can't help. You're born that way. Most physical attributes like hair color and eye color can be changed, and isn't in the same category as racial discrimination when dating. Except maybe for the late great Michael Jackson, there hasn't been anybody yet that's been able to change their race/skin color like they'd change their hair color. It isn't the same. Sorry

First of all, lesbians are awesome! Secondly, you have every right to your own preference, but ask yourself, as a women are you maximizing the possibility of finding love by limiting yourself to a certain ethnic group or race? Are you daring enough to get out of your comfort zone and go to places you've never gone before?

Again, you're mixing race with physical attributes. Height, eye color, hair color... all these things can be changed or modified.

Never saw a black person getting pissed for being called black, and I grew up with black people. That's not been my experience.

Some of the non-white girls who replied I noticed seem to have a problem with men of their own race. Now I don't mean to take sides here, but I like to look at things from all sides. You make these sweeping statements about guys in your race by saying they have tired pickup lines or their chauvinistic or whatever, but then you also mention you don't like white guys who use you just to say they've been with something exotic. But there's no sweeping arguments about white guys being all out to get dark or non-white women for their exotic appeal. It's just a few. But for the non-white men, seems to be they are all chauvinistic or players. Must be good to be a white guy in Germany. No negative stereotypes to fight off. No but seriously, think about what you're saying. Are you really giving the non-white guys the same chance as a white guy, or do you expect something negative from them right off the bat? It's these subconscious things that you don't even notice that you really have to think about.

REALLY REALLY good points! It's interesting that you also pointed out the family background and the parents involvement in shaping a persons perspective on race. More times than usual, a girl who says "you're my first [insert race] guy" is usually one who's parents or family has a problem with someone outside their race.

I remember way back in Biology 101 in college my professor talking about this. It's no secret that the human race, homosapien sapien, migrated from eastern Africa. Ethiopia to be exact. Through genetic mutations brought on by the varying climate throughout the world, we all developed different physical features from each other. African people, living in hot dry climate developed dark hair to protect their scalps from the beating sun and broad noses to inhale oxygen in the oxygen lacking climate of sub Saharan Africa. European people, living in cold and barren climate developed blonde hair to absorb more sunlight, lighter skin and upward shaped noses because of the oxygen rich climate of northern Europe. It's only recently that certain features were considered beautiful due to numerous things like television and magazines.

Except for this one.

Hams and Hazza can do it in a flash. If I'd met Hazza and he'd been wearing traditional Indian clothing I'm sure I'd think him Indian to this day. As it is I thought he was white. Hams is similar. She dresses and acts European and I think of her in that way. If she wore traditional Pakistani clothing than I suspect that would change my perception of her.

I think you're stating as black and white something that's very much shades of brown. Perception is king.