Making the Connection: Black Men, White Women: Love or Challenge?
By Stephanie A. Crockett, BET.com Staff Writer
Posted Feb. 27, 2002 -- The sight of a White woman and a Black man can make some folks so mad, they don't see Black and White, they just see red.
"I find it very offensive for the simple fact that the White woman has (and) always will be a trophy," wrote one user, RitaBradley.
"As soon as a brother 'makes it' he gets a White woman, now that does not leave out the ones that haven't so-called made it. A Black woman has so much more to offer? I hope none of my sons will ever bring home a White girl. Ever!"
Other users, like Kayslim, wrote that they didn't see anything wrong with Black men dating White women, or vice versa.
"I really don't have a problem with interracial dating," Kayslim wrote. "It's sad to see that people do have a problem."
Jaysblessed agrees.
"As long as he is happy? so be it!! Love has no color."
The subject of Black men dating White women has long been debated. Is interracial dating a question of love and free will, or does a Black man's attraction to White women come from deep-rooted beliefs that began to take hold during slavery?
Ever think about it?
Making the Connection
Nothing could get you hurt faster than messing with a White woman during slavery. And during segregation, nothing would get you killed faster. White women have always been "the forbidden fruit," and White men have worked hard to "protect" her from the African "Mandingo."
Not only have White women been cherished, but they have also been elevated as the essence of beauty and all that is good and pure. But they have always been considered off-limits to Black men.
Some state laws forbidding marriages between Blacks and Whites stayed on the law books until as late as the 1970s, so for some non-White men, attaining "the forbidden fruit" is the height of achievement.
Other minority men have bought into the belief that there is a reason White women are protected so -- they are nicer, better to their men, etc., and they want that type of mythological relationship.
We asked BET.com users last week how they would feel if their brother came home with his girlfriend, Ashley -- and Ashley turned out to be White.
Most of you said that you wouldn't feel anything at all. Out of the 824 people who voted, 574 believed they wouldn't be bothered.
Only 30 percent, or 250 users said they would be angry if their brother was dating a White woman.
The Reality
It could be true that some Black men don't see color when making a choice for a mate, said Kendrick T. Brown, a psychology professor at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn.
But for other men, the attraction to White women could be connected to a long-held belief that began during slavery.
"The White women being seen as something to be treasured; that was the whole justification that people had for basically keeping Black men in various positions of servitude," Brown said.
Brown said that White slaveholders spread the message that "we have to protect our White women" because they are the pinnacle of beauty, femininity and purity.
"These messages get put forth to everybody, not just White people but to Black people."
The idea that White women are the epitome of all that is good and beautiful -- and that they are off-limits to Black men -- may fuel a desire for White women.
"If that's the foundation, then you wonder to what extent people might still be operating on the principle that these White women are forbidden fruit," Brown said.
Some may think, "this is someone that I'm not supposed to have, and I have her, so what does that say about me?"
BET Viewers Feedback on the bottom of the page:
http://www.bet.com/articles/1%2C%2Cc1gb1916-2573-1%2C00.html#boardsAnchor
Posted Feb. 27, 2002 -- The sight of a White woman and a Black man can make some folks so mad, they don't see Black and White, they just see red.
"I find it very offensive for the simple fact that the White woman has (and) always will be a trophy," wrote one user, RitaBradley.
"As soon as a brother 'makes it' he gets a White woman, now that does not leave out the ones that haven't so-called made it. A Black woman has so much more to offer? I hope none of my sons will ever bring home a White girl. Ever!"
Other users, like Kayslim, wrote that they didn't see anything wrong with Black men dating White women, or vice versa.
"I really don't have a problem with interracial dating," Kayslim wrote. "It's sad to see that people do have a problem."
Jaysblessed agrees.
"As long as he is happy? so be it!! Love has no color."
The subject of Black men dating White women has long been debated. Is interracial dating a question of love and free will, or does a Black man's attraction to White women come from deep-rooted beliefs that began to take hold during slavery?
Ever think about it?
Making the Connection
Nothing could get you hurt faster than messing with a White woman during slavery. And during segregation, nothing would get you killed faster. White women have always been "the forbidden fruit," and White men have worked hard to "protect" her from the African "Mandingo."
Not only have White women been cherished, but they have also been elevated as the essence of beauty and all that is good and pure. But they have always been considered off-limits to Black men.
Some state laws forbidding marriages between Blacks and Whites stayed on the law books until as late as the 1970s, so for some non-White men, attaining "the forbidden fruit" is the height of achievement.
Other minority men have bought into the belief that there is a reason White women are protected so -- they are nicer, better to their men, etc., and they want that type of mythological relationship.
We asked BET.com users last week how they would feel if their brother came home with his girlfriend, Ashley -- and Ashley turned out to be White.
Most of you said that you wouldn't feel anything at all. Out of the 824 people who voted, 574 believed they wouldn't be bothered.
Only 30 percent, or 250 users said they would be angry if their brother was dating a White woman.
The Reality
It could be true that some Black men don't see color when making a choice for a mate, said Kendrick T. Brown, a psychology professor at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn.
But for other men, the attraction to White women could be connected to a long-held belief that began during slavery.
"The White women being seen as something to be treasured; that was the whole justification that people had for basically keeping Black men in various positions of servitude," Brown said.
Brown said that White slaveholders spread the message that "we have to protect our White women" because they are the pinnacle of beauty, femininity and purity.
"These messages get put forth to everybody, not just White people but to Black people."
The idea that White women are the epitome of all that is good and beautiful -- and that they are off-limits to Black men -- may fuel a desire for White women.
"If that's the foundation, then you wonder to what extent people might still be operating on the principle that these White women are forbidden fruit," Brown said.
Some may think, "this is someone that I'm not supposed to have, and I have her, so what does that say about me?"
BET Viewers Feedback on the bottom of the page:
http://www.bet.com/articles/1%2C%2Cc1gb1916-2573-1%2C00.html#boardsAnchor
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