While interracial dating has become common, many people still refuse the idea because they are afraid of societal reactions, a speaker said Friday at the Multicultural Center.
"There are a number of stereotypes that surround interracial couples," Michelle Prieb said. "Many people believe that if you date outside of your race, then you're selling out."
Prieb, a graduate student in the Department of Communications Studies, facilitated the Multicultural Center's final Brown Bag discussion of the semester, which was titled " I'm Not Prejudiced - I Just Don't Date Them and Other Mixed Messages: Interracial Dating at Ball State and Beyond."
The idea for the Brown Bag came from a quantitative research project Prieb completed on interracial dating last semester. She said she decided to facilitate the discussion in that its topic related to many students on a personal level.
"There's a lot of students who are going through interracial dating and have dealt with issues that have occurred by going through these different kinds of relationships," Prieb said.
Friday's discussion focused on several key reasons people in today's society decide not to date interracially. Graduate student Erica Simpson said many don't simply because they have never considered it a possibility.
"Even if they could fall in love with people of another race, they're never going to give it a shot," Simpson said. "People first have to be open-minded enough to think it's a possibility, and once their minds are open, love should be colorblind."
Graduate student Taylor Marrow III said another reason many people refuse to date interracially is because their personal biases or fears hold them back. Confronting such biases is the first step in making progress, he said.
"Before you say, 'I'm not going to do this,' sit down and think about why you're not going to do it, and see if there's some prejudice behind it," Marrow said. "If you can break down these walls of fear, you can take a step forward."
Senior S'Neta Benefield said while many people do have biases against interracial dating, others refuse to do it simply because they are not interested in the idea.
"Each person has their own standards," Benefield said. "Many people just need to worry about being happy."
Prieb said as interracial dating remains controversial, stereotypes will continue to surround people who support it. Graduate student Jarrod Dortch said those who are part of interracial relationships, however, must learn to ignore such reactions.
"If people had more self esteem and didn't take into consideration what other people think, there'd be a lot less stress," Dortch said.
Courtney Sidfrid, who helped to organize Saturday's discussion, said the Multicultural Center developed the Brown Bag series last year for the Ball State and Muncie communities. Facilitated by Ball State administrators, community leaders and doctoral candidates, the series was established to promote discussion on issues regarding diversity and multiculturalism. The next Brown Bag discussion will be held in September.
Prieb said she was glad to be part of the semester's final Brown Bag and hoped students learned something from the discussion Friday.
"Dialogue about interracial dating can create awareness," Prieb said. "I hope they walked away with a little bit more understanding and a greater sense of support from other students."
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