Dating is not always ‘black and white’ issue

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The rarely addressed issue of interracial dating was discussed Wednesday at the Bovee University Center.

“Interracial dating is such a taboo topic; it’s good to have a forum where we can voice our opinion and learn more about the issue,” said Danielle Smith, Detroit senior.

Sigma Lambda Gamma social sorority and Phi Beta Sigma service fraternity hosted the event.

Smith said she gained different perspectives at the program.

“I got to see interracial dating from the perspective of a multi-racial person, that was interesting,” she said.

Smith said she believes the subject of interracial dating and other minority issues should be talked about more often.

“We definitely need to have more programs about it so people can become more aware of diversity issues in general,” she said.

The purpose of the program to promote multiculturalism, giving a diverse group of students the chance to have a voice on a controversial issue.

Panelists as well as audience members voiced their thoughts and opinions.

Panelists included Mike Schuette, Mount Pleasant junior; Héctor Velazquez, Sterling Heights senior; Elizabeth Nozewski, Ecorse junior; Mary T. Jenkins, Macomb junior; Deanna Morris, Benton Harbor junior; and Adriane Grace, Farmington freshman.

“The reason for having this was to get different students’ opinions on interracial dating,” said Antoine Safford, event coordinator and Phi Beta Sigma president. “When I say ‘different,’ I mean different cultures.”

Though the discussion began as a multi-ethnic discussion, topics soon turned to primarily African-American and Caucasian couples.

“The main issues was blacks and whites dating interracially,” said Safford, Detroit senior.

The discussion allowed students to hear how different views and opinions are developed and formed.

“The environment the person grows up in makes a huge difference. It shifts and shapes our opinions,” said Stephen Becton, Inkster sophomore.

Some students in attendance said they saw interracial dating on campus, but it is not necessarily accepted.

“Interracial dating is common on this campus, but it isn’t as accepted as it should be. A lot of people that don’t agree with it don’t voice their opinions,” Becton said.

Other students did not think that it mattered what other people thought, as long as the two involved were comfortable.

“I think that it is a personal preference. If you love someone or like them, you should do what you want. It doesn’t matter what other people think,” Schuette said.

Some students attending thought said they thought it was a good program and it was very informative.

“I think everyone was very open on their opinions on interracial dating. I think we got a lot of issues out from different cultural views on dating outside their race,” Safford said.

Sarah Jones, Highland freshman, is in an interracial relationship and thought the program was a way to get a better understanding of issues that affect interracial couples.

“I came away with a better understanding of black and white interracial dating. I thought it was interesting and it is part of my life,” she said.

In the future, some students hoped more interracial issues would be discussed.

“I hope to get some more issues that deal with African-Americans and Caucasians,” Safford said.

Central Michigan Life Assistant News Editor Elizabeth Jewell contributed to this article.