# What do you think of interracial couples? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 28, 2012, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331 "2012-11-28T01:55:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/241 "2012-12-05T12:19:07Z")
> [@Noone\_Special](#): > > So has T-Rex. And your point is…? Ummm, try reading my posts in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/242 "2012-12-05T12:26:06Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > It wasn’t interbreeding with modern humans that disappeared them. I don’t think it’s known what “disappeared” the Neanderthals. But let’s assume for the sake of argument that it was something other than interbreeding. We still know that a lot of interbreeding took place. Thus, at some point there must have been a “spectrum” of humans from pure Neanderthals to pure modern humans. And to an extent that “spectrum” continues to this very day. Even though the Neanderthals have disappeared by any reasonable definition of the word “disappeared.” Earlier you asked the following question: > [@](#): > > Why should the polar bears “disappear,” though? Why should there not become a bear spectrum of many intermediate shades and forms? You seem to be arguing that as long as there is a “spectrum” then the group at one end of the “spectrum” has not disappeared. The example of the Neanderthals shows that your argument is incorrect. ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/243 "2012-12-05T12:26:20Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Ummm, try reading my posts in this thread. I tried. What I took away from reading is that we should protect Polar Bears from going extinct at almost all costs. I’m just pointing out that species/sub-populations go extinct in nature all the time. Some if not many of them probably due to cross-breeding. Societies / cultures do as well (although equating nature to human culture is a coarse analogy); and **new/hybrid** cultures are created all the time as well. That’s how both nature and human society work. Why do you have a problem with this? ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/244 "2012-12-05T12:31:06Z")
> [@Noone\_Special](#): > > I tried. What I took away from reading is that we should protect Polar Bears from going extinct at almost all costs. Can you quote me where I stated or implied that? TIA. > [@](#): > > I’m just pointing out that species/sub-populations go extinct in nature all the time. Some if not many of them probably due to cross-breeding. > > Societies / cultures do as well (although equating nature to human culture is a coarse analogy); and **new/hybrid** cultures are created all the time as well. That’s how both nature and human society work. Why do you have a problem with this? I don’t like it. Let me ask you this: (1) Is there any species on earth (including Homo Sapiens) for which you would prefer that it not go extinct tomorrow? And if so, would you be willing to make some small sacrifice to prevent it from happening? (2) Do you object to the fact that public resources are expended to protect endangered species? ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/245 "2012-12-05T13:29:50Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > Northern Ireland is far from a perfect society, and prejudice against couples who cross sectarian or racial lines does exist, but you really, really, exaggerate the reality of the situation in my humble opinion. Now, or in the past? I’ll agree that the situation has improved in recent decades. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/246 "2012-12-05T13:42:01Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > That’s your value judgment. A lot of people would prefer that their own group not get mixed and assimilated out of existence. It’s an American judgment, and we’re the better for it. [QUOTE=Peremensoe] Well, now wait a minute. Mixing is good, but cherishing distinctions and diversity is good too. Both dynamics are key to America, IMO. [/QUOTE] Tolerate diversity? By all means. Cherish it? No. ---
**Author:** ![taskmgr.exe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@taskmgr.exe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taskmgr.exe)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/247 "2012-12-05T14:11:40Z")
Why is there no special song for interracial couples? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/248 "2012-12-05T14:31:48Z")
> [@taskmgr.exe](#): > > Why is there no special song for interracial couples? 😃 Jungle Fever by Stevie Wonder. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/249 "2012-12-05T15:34:29Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Do you believe it’s morally wrong, or is it just a sort of aesthetic preference? Do you disapprove of it enough that you would support making it illegal? I wanted to repeat my question for **brazil84** , because I’m genuinely curious about what he feels should be done about interracial couples. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/250 "2012-12-05T15:39:16Z")
[Brother Louie](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exl0oSfTSoY)? ---
**Author:** ![Krouget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b38774/32.png) [@Krouget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krouget)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/251 "2012-12-05T16:06:35Z")
> [@Noone\_Special](#): > > Societies / cultures do as well (although equating nature to human culture is a coarse analogy); and **new/hybrid** cultures are created all the time as well. That’s how both nature and human society work. Why do you have a problem with this? Agreed, but I just had to fold this one. Some people have very different worldviews. > [@brazil84](#): > > Ok, **I prefer the diversity from distinct separate groups** – not the diversity which is created as a group gets assimilated out of existence. There is a word which describes the bold portion of this thinking, and the associated ideas have been used to consciously and indirectly remove groups and cultures from existence, in an amalgam of human conflict. The social repercussions of progressing down that path don’t lend to a world of coexistence. Everything from challenges brought about from prejudices, to the existence of more seemingly benign subcultures, work against the totality of this idea sustaining itself, in practice. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/252 "2012-12-05T19:06:00Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#): > > Now, or in the past? I’ll agree that the situation has improved in recent decades. I’m talking about now but even in the past there were mixed couples. Some put up with a lot of shit for love though. ---
**Author:** ![taskmgr.exe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@taskmgr.exe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taskmgr.exe)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/253 "2012-12-05T19:54:48Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Am I the only one who wouldn’t give a shit if all the polar bears and brown bears disappeared overnight and were replaced by beige bears? It’s possible I’m missing some essential part of the metaphor that explains why having separate white bears and brown bears is so valuable to humankind. Are you ever afraid of being attacked by black men because you date a black woman? ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/254 "2012-12-05T20:13:16Z")
> [@Krouget](#): > > There is a word which describes the bold portion of this thinking, and the associated ideas have been used to consciously and indirectly remove groups and cultures from existence, What is the word, and can you please give me a couple examples of what you are talking about? Also, please answer my questions from Post #197: 1. So by your definition of the word “value,” it is never possible to value something for its own sake? 2. In the Polar Bear example, one can imagine a situation a few generations before Polar Bears are completely assimilated and disappear. At that time, there will be a small number of Polar Bears; a large number of Brown Bears; and a medium number of mixed Bears. In your view, does that situation have more “actual diversity” than a situation where Brown Bears and Polar Bears are distinct, separate groups? 3. So it sounds like you concede that there are in-born sexual preferences, but your position is that those preferences never intersect with race in any way. Insofar as people prefer one race over another, it’s purely a matter of social conditioning. Do I understand you correctly? 1. What exactly is the “established knowledge” I am challenging? 2. Do you agree that you have offered no evidence (besides your own wishes and desires) concerning a change in the disparity between black/white and white/black couples? And no evidence whatsoever concerning a change in the disparity between white/Asian and Asian/white couples? 3. It sounds like your position is that it’s silly to try to preserve a distinct culture from assimilation because that culture will inevitably change anyway. Do I understand you correctly? 4. Is there ever a situation where it’s reasonable or appropriate or desirable to try to preserve some X even though that X will ultimately disappear or change beyond recognition? If so, in what kinds of situations is it reasonable or appropriate or desirable to try to preserve that X? I would appreciate answers so that I can understand your position. TIA. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/255 "2012-12-05T20:14:43Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#): > > Tolerate diversity? By all means. Cherish it? No. Why not? Diversity is what makes this one of the most interesting countries. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/256 "2012-12-05T20:38:26Z")
> [@taskmgr.exe](#): > > Why is there no special song for interracial couples? 😃 Cam’ron - White Girls Wait… ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/257 "2012-12-05T20:49:12Z")
> [@taskmgr.exe](#): > > Are you ever afraid of being attacked by black men because you date a black woman? I actually literally laughed out loud at this. Can’t tell if serious. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/258 "2012-12-05T21:12:05Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > 1. Do you agree that you have offered no evidence (besides your own wishes and desires) concerning a change in the disparity between black/white and white/black couples? This is an easy one- [from 1981 to 2009](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interracial_marriage_in_the_United_States#Black_and_White), the ratio of black male/white female marriages to black female/white male marriages has gone down from 371:100 to 181:100. So in 2009 the disparity was less than 50% of what it was in 1981. An interesting side note is that while black male/white female marriages are twice as likely to divorce (as compared to white/white marriages) by the 10th year of marriage, black female/white male marriages are 44% _less_ likely to divorce than white/white marriages. So this leads to another question- why are black female/white male marriages _more_ successful, statistically, then all white marriages? ---
**Author:** ![Krouget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b38774/32.png) [@Krouget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krouget)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/259 "2012-12-05T21:29:11Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > What is the word, and can you please give me a couple examples of what you are talking about? Racism, or as it relates to this thread, the discrimination, as a result of social constructs (more specifically, the ones you’ve created). I had previously outlined an example of how or why culture was important or carried value, not as a means to bolster either of our points, but at least as a basis for what would shape a discussion of substance. Examples: "_**FWIW I disapprove of interracial couples. I see value in having a diversity of races and ethnic groups and interracial mating undermines that value." […] “The value is that I like it.”**_ –Besides the obvious contradiction; without any depth of reasoning behind the value, you pretty much just disapprove for the sake of doing so. _ **“Why is it somehow an intolerable situation that some groups are smarter than others?”** _ –You’re insinuating that race has a link to intelligence or intellect. > [@](#): > > Also, please answer my questions from Post #197 I already have, and for the rest, there isn’t any point. Each response prompts more questions, without actual dialogue on that new information; you mince and misconstrue ideas by addressing half-sentences; and create too many tangents, for my taste. I already understand your position, but haven’t discovered any sound reasoning behind it. At this point, I’m okay with that and will respectfully decline and further agree to disagree.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/260 "2012-12-05T21:34:36Z")
> [@](#): > > I already have, and for the rest, there isn’t any point. Each response prompts more questions, without actual dialogue on that new information; you mince and misconstrue ideas by addressing half-sentences; and create too many tangents, for my taste. Nonsense, you are simply hiding your position behind a cloak of ambiguity. Because when it is exposed to scrutiny, your position is revealed as silly. Anyway, I have no interest in engaging with someone who plays hide the ball with his position. This exchange is concluded. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331.md?page=14)