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The art of attraction isn't just about colour or creed, it's about chemistry and a whole bunch of other things. Swirling author Christelyn Karazon discusses.

Guess Who’s Coming to the Prom? EBONY Magazine Releases Encouraging News About Teens and Interracial Dating

Posted by Christelyn, 21 Mar

In the April 2014 issue of EBONY, the publication has released a special report, “Guess Who’s Coming to the Prom” on teenage interracial dating.

According to research conducted by Frank N. Magrid Associates, Inc., today’s teens are more likely to interact with a diverse circle of friends, and according to the Pew Research Center, 15 percent of new marriages in 2010 were interracial, compared to 6.7 percent in 1980. These statistics, along with the growing trend of interracial couples seen in pop culture (i.e. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, Scandal’s Olivia Pope and President Fitz, and John Legend and Christine Teigen), are a reflection of the growing trend of teenagers dating outside of their race.  Inside the issue, readers will learn the impact this has on society and how race overall is impacting the country.

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“I tell my children they should find love wherever it is good,” said Lonnae O’Neal Parker, an African American mother.  “I realize that I mean that more with my daughters than I do with my son.  Race still matters in subtle ways as we try to make sure that our kids’ self-esteem is intact.”

However, race remains an issue, as does a racial "dating" hierarchy. Another aspect of the feature deals with an interracial dating "backlash" as it relates to television programming, particularly Scandal in social media. A fan page (now defunct) was created in protest to the white-on-black pairing and dubbed, "Why Can't Olivia Pope Date a Black Man?" with most of the protest from black men, who called Kerry Washington's character a "negro bed wench." However, the show has also ruffled the feathers of some black women, who criticize it as being a modern-day master/slave relationship. But despite the criticism, Scandal continues to be rating gold for ABC and has a fan base that goes far and wide.

Christelyn Karazin is the co-author of Swirling: How to Date, Mate and Relate, Mixing Race, Culture and Creed. She also operates the popular blog, Beyond Black & White, and operate the first forum dedicated to black women interested and/or involved in interracial relationships.

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17 responses to "Guess Who’s Coming to the Prom? EBONY Magazine Releases Encouraging News About Teens and Interracial Dating"

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  1.   LQQkin4The_1 says:
    Posted: 14 Jul 14

    I've never seen an episode of scandal, but I do not like the name of the show. Maybe I am reading to much into it but it seems that the idea of a black woman being with a white man is "scandalous". I don't think any black woman who has ever dated a white man feels the need to call their relationship something so demeaning. They call it what it is.

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    • Lightkeeper says:
      Posted: 02 Aug 14

      It's not about that.. She's having an affair with the president of the USA who happens to be white on the show. But it's a really pointless show.

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      • Mosiah7 says:
        Posted: 18 Sep 15

        The guy she's involved with on the show also happens to be married.

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  2.   ergam34 says:
    Posted: 08 Jul 14

    there is only 1 race, the human race just many diffrent people with diffrent colors that is still only one race but anywayit does not matter what the dhade or color a person is as long as thier faith is in the right place and it doesnt matter who or how many people want to come in and put thier views to it if they good or bed... just let the two people meet then they can decide and do what they need to and they dont really need help to.. they not dumb .. they can decide and figure out things them selves.. but sometimes it is good to seek out help for certain situations but in a relationship thing the only one to go to ultimately is God and what the Bible says about it.. there is nothing he cant handle

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  3.   jasper34 says:
    Posted: 06 Jul 14

    Great!!

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  4.   Dhernandez says:
    Posted: 09 Jun 14

    I'm mexican, born in mx, but raised in Cali. I've dated my own race and I've was married to a wm. After my divorce I dated a Korean man for nearly for years. I recently have become increasingly more attracted to African American men. I'm currently dating a very sweet and respectful African Amercan man who's managed to sweep me off my feet with his old fashion standards on how a woman should be treated. And I've never been so spoiled. I am truly in love with this beautiful man and I hope this is it for me!

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  5.   s.lady21 says:
    Posted: 15 May 14

    My first interracial relationship was with a Chinese guy in high school. Fourteen years and a child later... we're still together. His family had a hard time accepting me because I'm Black, but he chose me. They got over it :)

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  6.   naav says:
    Posted: 06 May 14

    I don't care about black or white. I look at the fact that we are human.

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  7.   Nonita says:
    Posted: 04 May 14

    I think black people are still dragging a stereotype from the past or maybe from white people who never dated outside the box and think blacks are rude and insensitive. But we all have an equal part in this where one race think the other doesn't like them. I've dated White, black and spanish and can say that I've encountered gentle, loving and caring in all the different cultures. I personally think that a person's behaviour mostly depends on factors like their growing environment and the way they were raised plus the will to integrate to society and be human by shedding off the fear of the unknown regardless of skin color. However...I often have a hard time and ugly comments (from my own black race) towards me for the way I speak, dress and my personality I've being told few times: ''Oh, you look and talk like a White girl'' only because I dress normal, speak the grammar I learned in school and behave according to how I was raised by my grandmother. Again, it all breaks down to the insides of each individual, We ALL need to stop judging but instead, love someone for who they really are

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  8.   gadova says:
    Posted: 22 Apr 14

    who cares love is a feeling not a race

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  9.   ZenHRt79 says:
    Posted: 20 Apr 14

    I have a love-hate relationship with Scandal, not because of the interracial romance, but because I'm anti-adultery. I'm not here to discuss (or debate) Scandal, but I'd like to talk about interracial dating. Once you establish whether or not someone's motives are pure, then go ahead and date. If someone is dating you because it's a fad/taboo/exotic adventure to them (or to you) don't do it. We're all people with feelings and deserving of a good and wholesome love. Teens are following the trends that adults are setting, and if we show them what matters most in a dating relationship (mutual interests, attraction, healthy interactions, respect for one's background and differences, seeing a person as a unique individual, etc.) instead of casting our personal fears on them, then they will be more likely to choose healthy relationships (same race or not).

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  10.   sapilicious says:
    Posted: 13 Apr 14

    How is this magazine still in circulation, like what year is this? Is a Different World still on TV?

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  11.   sexyp1 says:
    Posted: 06 Apr 14

    It seems no matter what we do as black women we are criticized. Especially when it comes to anything in the media. What's ironic is it seems to come from black men, they seem to think if we(BW) date WM it's a slap in the face to them. I always want to scream out, HEY IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU!!!! I love all men of all races, including BM. Whoever touches my heart in a healthy loving way is the guy for me. I so wish people would get that. One example, one if my fav shows is Mad Men, and there is a group of black men protesting against the show because of it's lack of black characters. When I heard and saw this I laughed because the show gas more than one black female character. I guess black women don't count in the eyes of these men. Idk, maybe we (BW) should take it as a compliment that BM don't want to "share" us lol. WM don't want to share WW either. Maybe it's ego and testosterone. LOL

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