It has been over 50 years since the landmark civil rights decision of the Loving vs. Virginia case. Today, those who are into interracial dating does not face the fear of prosecution thanks to that decision. However, the society is still far from having a real understanding of racial discourse, and there are still plenty of stereotypes and assumptions against interracial dating.
So, what exactly is interracial dating? Interracial dating is not just a relationship between a white man and a black woman. It can be between an Asian woman and a black man, a white woman, and a black man, etc. Fundamentally, the textbook definition of interracial dating is being with someone outside the group whom you share similar social and physical qualities.
In today's age, the development of the internet has allowed more and more people to experience interracial dating. You can now get to know someone from the other side of the world without leaving the comforts of your home.
The Benefits of Interracial Dating
If you happen to be interested in meeting other people outside your race, you need to know the beautiful things that lie ahead. Here some of the significant advantages of doing interracial dating:
● You Grow a Deeper Understanding of Racial Issue
Being around people who have the same ideas and beliefs as you will only keep you in a bubble while being close to someone from a totally different perspective will help you become more compassionate of those who are different from you. This is what interracial dating will help you understand.
The topic of race and equality has been a long-standing debate for centuries, yet no concessions have been met between all the parties involved. However, it is apparent that it has become a lot better than how it used to be, and that is because love sees no color.
You will learn the perspective of the person that you are dating and understand where they are coming from. Eventually, you will do the same thing to other people as well without you even noticing it, which is a good thing allowing you to have a safe space for racial discussions.
● You Can Learn about New Culture
Part of dating someone is getting to know their personality and traits, and the culture that they are from has a significant role in molding who they are. Thus, you also learn about an entirely new culture first hand.
This is beneficial for you because you get to experience new practices, taste new cuisine, and learn new languages. These things may not sound much, but they can have a significant positive impact on how you live your life in the future.
● You Can Develop Open-mindedness
Understanding where other people are coming from will help you develop open-mindedness. Although this is easier said than done and plenty has failed to do this in the past, but it is a different story when you are in an interracial relationship.
This is because the person you are engaging with is not just an ordinary friend but also someone you actually have romantic feelings for. This means that you will innately try harder to understand them. Eventually, by doing so, it will be easier for you to apply your new-found open-mindedness to other people as well.
Tips in Interracial Dating
Here are some tips on how to be successful in interracial dating:
● Be More Understanding
Many would say that the key to successful interracial dating is more understanding. The cultural barrier between you and the person you will be dating will surely exist in the beginning, but it will ease away once you are both more comfortable.
● Communicate
Communication is key. Since you are dating someone from another race, you might perceive the message that you send in a different context. This is why it is vital to make sure that you are on the same page when you are communicating.
You can do this by directly talking to them and asking questions if you are unsure of what they mean by their words. If you and your partner have language barriers, learning some words from their language and teaching them yours will be a win-win situation for the both of you.
● Focus on the Person
Do not be too caught up on the fact that you and your partner are from different races. Instead, focus on the person in front of you and love them as who they are. See beyond their skin color and focus on their personality, how they treat you, and what you feel for them.
Final Word
The topic of Interracial dating and how it helps improve racial discourse is now more critical than ever because of the Black Lives Matter movement. People should be able to talk about race without fear of judgment and prejudice. Although interracial relationships do not automatically address racism and other similar issues, it will allow you to develop tolerance and open-mindedness for a healthy discussion, which is the first step in solving the problem.
Doing interracial dating is excellent not only because you get to date someone you like, but it will also help you grow as a person holistically. Going out of your comfort zone and seeing what else the world has to offer will teach you monumental lessons about yourself, the society and the whole world that you don't want to miss.
