# 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:** 14
**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, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/261 "2012-12-05T21:39:21Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > I actually literally laughed out loud at this. Can’t tell if serious. Nickname and post combination. Have you ever heard of Muslim men beating a foreigner because he dates a Muslim woman? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/262 "2012-12-05T21:41:39Z")
> [@taskmgr.exe](#): > > Are you ever afraid of being attacked by black men because you date a black woman? I take it this is purely hypothetical? I haven’t dated anyone of any race—or species—in over 16 years. I am afraid of being attacked by capybaras, though. ---
**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, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/263 "2012-12-05T22:05:08Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > 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. Haven’t some mixed couples been killed in their homes, presumably for being mixed? As far as I know, it was only a few, but even so, that’s pretty hardcore. Others have simply left the country rather than deal with the hostility. Not as harsh as events in the Middle East, I grant you. But shocking for a place that’s part of the English speaking Western world. ---
**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, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/264 "2012-12-05T22:07:56Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > Why not? Diversity is what makes this one of the most interesting countries. What kind of diversity? Diversity that conflicts with our core values? Then, no. ---
**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, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/265 "2012-12-05T22:25:56Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#): > > Haven’t some mixed couples been killed in their homes, presumably for being mixed? As far as I know, it was only a few, but even so, that’s pretty hardcore. Others have simply left the country rather than deal with the hostility. Not that I’m aware of. I mean it’s possible but I’ve read extensively on the Troubles and don’t recall any incidents like that. I’d be interested to see a cite although I’m not demanding one. And of course some couples did leave in order to avoid hostility. ---
**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, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/266 "2012-12-05T22:29:53Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#): > > What kind of diversity? Diversity that conflicts with our core values? Then, no. No. But of all the kinds of diversity, that would be a minuscule fraction. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/267 "2012-12-05T22:38:41Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > So your view is that any time it’s difficult to draw a clear line between two groups or entities, any distinction between those two groups or entities is an illusion? > > Does the same reasoning apply to distinctions between neighborhoods in a city? > > Between different dialects of languages? > > Between different species? I’ll ignore species because, indeed, that distinction is far more nebulous than people think. But I was not talking about neighborhoods or languages; I was talking about the human race, of which there is just one. The distinctions between Caucasian, African, American Indian, East Asian, Southern Asian, Inuit, Maori, Australian aborigine, etc, are not support by biology. ---
**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, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/268 "2012-12-05T23:35:14Z")
> [@taskmgr.exe](#): > > Nickname and post combination. Have you ever heard of Muslim men beating a foreigner because he dates a Muslim woman? Oh, come on. _I’m_ being mean because I couldn’t tell if you seriously thought black men beating up white guys for takin’ their wimmen was a credible threat? Apparently you do. This isn’t Afghanistan; no one’s going to beat you for walking outside without your father or dating an infidel. ---
**Author:** ![Krouget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b38774/32.png) [@Krouget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krouget)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/269 "2012-12-06T00:02:48Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Nonsense, you are simply hiding your position behind a cloak of ambiguity. My “position” was asking how you apply value to culture/race discrimination. Your response was that you like it that way. [ul] [li]_**“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.”**_[/li][/ul] Doesn’t get any more ambiguous than that. I went ahead and answered it for you, in an attempt to promote more reasoned discussion: [ul] [li]_ **“If you want to get into the actual value of culture, I would start somewhere along the lines of its benefit to a greater society, as it assists in creating a synergy between peoples. We can attribute this, historically, as one of many survival mechanisms-- this more demonstrates an actual value, in the sense that it represents an intrinsic worth to our collective well-being, which is distinct from your “preference”. However, even in this example, there is nothing actually “lost” when culture changes, as it does so in order to serve the greater will of a society.”** _[/li][/ul] One of these responses applies relevant meaning to the word “value”, and serves as a platform for discussion. The other doesn’t. > [@](#): > > Because when it is exposed to scrutiny, your position is revealed as silly. Straw man arguments and bear diversions don’t properly embrace the idea scrutiny. On the _actual_ topic of race relations in this country, I cited the more progressive supreme court decision (_Loving vs. Virginia, post 184_), which reinforced the idea that interracial acceptance is on the rise. In tandem with this, I supported this with statistics from the US census bureau, among others sources. I’m not sure how the following represents scrutiny, or even a reasonable response: _ **“What exactly is the “established knowledge” I am challenging?”** _ Apparently, the supreme court interpretation of the constitution isn’t established enough. I must have another think coming. > [@](#): > > It’s also worth noting that as a practical matter, interracial dating makes it more difficult for members of some groups to find suitable mates. And I’m still trying to understand how two _other_ people choosing to date outside of their race, somehow have bearing on your ability to find a “suitable mate”; or are they using up all the people in the pool? ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/270 "2012-12-06T01:34:35Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > 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. My boyfriend’s parents were Catholic (mum) and Protestant (dad) respectively. She was the daughter of the local pharmacist in Downpatrick (in Northern Ireland) and he was a policeman (!) when they started dating. They were never directly threatened because of their relationship, although my boyfriend tells me that his dad used to check under his car every morning for bombs before driving to work. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/271 "2012-12-06T02:25:54Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I’ll ignore species because, indeed, that distinction is far more nebulous than people think. But I was not talking about neighborhoods or languages; Ummm, does that mean yes or no? Is it your view that any time it’s difficult to draw a clear line between two groups or entities, any distinction between those two groups or entities is an illusion? Does the same reasoning apply to distinctions between neighborhoods in a city? Between different dialects of languages? Between different species? ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/272 "2012-12-06T02:49:33Z")
[This](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwzL23asWGs) is another reason I approve of interracial relationships. My biracial ex turned me onto Archer. She was thinking of being Lana for Halloween. Lana dated both Sterling and Cyril. Sadly, I’m more Cyril than Sterling. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/273 "2012-12-06T03:01:08Z")
> [@taskmgr.exe](#): > > Why is there no special song for interracial couples? 😃 “China Girl,” by David Bowie? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/274 "2012-12-06T03:48:00Z")
I would recommend that people who are getting embroiled in discussion about race take a look at the participants in various race-oriented threads in the Pit and GD and then decide if this is a rabbit hole you want to go down. ---
**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 6, 2012, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/275 "2012-12-06T06:37:58Z")
> [@HazelNutCoffee](#): > > My boyfriend’s parents were Catholic (mum) and Protestant (dad) respectively. She was the daughter of the local pharmacist in Downpatrick (in Northern Ireland) and he was a policeman (!) when they started dating. They were never directly threatened because of their relationship, although my boyfriend tells me that his dad used to check under his car every morning for bombs before driving to work. I imagine that was because of his occupation though, right? Rather than his relationship, the bomb checking that is. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/276 "2012-12-06T06:49:43Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > I imagine that was because of his occupation though, right? Rather than his relationship, the bomb checking that is. Yes, I should have made that clearer. My boyfriend’s father lost a lot of friends to IRA violence but it was because they were police officers. I have never heard any stories about violence due to the relationship. I’ll ask him once I get home tonight. I was always impressed that his mum’s parents didn’t oppose the relationship though. Not because he was Protestant per se, but because he was a policeman. ---
**Author:** ![Normal\_Phase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Normal\_Phase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Normal_Phase)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/277 "2012-12-06T14:08:35Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I would recommend that people who are getting embroiled in discussion about race take a look at the participants in various race-oriented threads in the Pit and GD and then decide if this is a rabbit hole you want to go down. Why “Oh it’s you” is the only appropriate response, IMO. He shouldn’t be treated as if his opinions are in any regard principled or intellectual. ---
**Author:** ![Krouget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b38774/32.png) [@Krouget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krouget)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/278 "2012-12-06T14:10:44Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I would recommend that people who are getting embroiled in discussion about race take a look at the participants in various race-oriented threads in the Pit and GD and then decide if this is a rabbit hole you want to go down. I see.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/279 "2012-12-06T14:42:31Z")
> [@Normal\_Phase](#): > > Why “Oh it’s you” is the only appropriate response, IMO. He shouldn’t be treated as if his opinions are in any regard principled or intellectual. Yes, please do not engage me on the merits. That might subject your views to scrutiny. :rolleyes: ---
**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 6, 2012, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331/280 "2012-12-06T15:25:23Z")
> [@HazelNutCoffee](#): > > Yes, I should have made that clearer. My boyfriend’s father lost a lot of friends to IRA violence but it was because they were police officers. I have never heard any stories about violence due to the relationship. I’ll ask him once I get home tonight. > > I was always impressed that his mum’s parents didn’t oppose the relationship though. Not because he was Protestant per se, but because he was a policeman. Sorry, I am little confused about that. Are you implying that her husband’s state of being a policeman helped her face no opposition from her own parents, compensating her husband’s being a protestant(=even tough her husband was a protestant)? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-interracial-couples/642331.md?page=15)