Do You Date Outside Your Race?

In the new book, "Is Marriage for White People?: How the African-American Marriage Decline Affects Everyone," Ralph Richard Banks examines the issue that finds fewer African-American women are marrying, and are not dating outside their race.

"It's a huge issue, says Banks. "African-American women are the most unmarried group of women in the country. About 70% of black women are unmarried, and their racial gap in marriage extends across the socioeconomic spectrum. So it's not only poor women, it's college educated black women who are about twice as likely to be unmarried than their white counterparts."

Journalist and TV personality Jacque Reid admits to not dating outside her race. On Thursday's (11/4/11) episode of "Anderson," Reid says, "I end up dating African-American men because there is a comfort level. We have a lot in common, for example. Do you know what it's like to be ashy?"

"As perhaps the palest man in American," says Anderson. He has no idea, and then asks, "But is there a stigma associated with African-American women dating a white guy?"

Reid says for herself, no, but explains, "I think black women are more sensitive about seeing black men with white women. There is such a shortage, in our eyes, of black men to choose from in the first place."

[Gabriellaella]

I think when she said, "Shortage of black men." She meant "Shortage of GOOD black men." I'm not going to lie. I believe there is.

[Naomiluvsice]

Im a black woman i have always dated outside of my race and i feel other black women should experience men of other races also

[SkJ]

This Jacque Reid lady does not speak for all black women people. I am a black woman and I do not care if a black guy is dating a white woman or any other woman of any race for that matter. I just hope that people date who they want to date and for the right reason. Why does it have to be a colour thing? Why can't you just date a 'man' or a 'woman'. Why does the person's race have to get added to the begging of the person's sex?

[shandiraprice]

I would certainly have to disagree with this woman, i know plenty of black women who date out and black men give them a very hard time so i think it works both ways its just that in my experiences the black guys that do get upset are normally hypocrites because they date out as well. just like when alot of black men were upset with whoopie goldberg for dating white men, dispite the fact that most blackmen think whoopie is ugly.

[tanyatmr]

If I did date outside my race that person would have to be from the Caribbean, preferably from an English speaking island.

[woo]

well we (black women) need to wake up and start dating outside our race. when i see a black man with a white woman i love it. i say 2 myself " good teach him some respect".

[bighare]

@buraburayoshi This woman has a right to feel the way she wants. She is not asking anyone to agree with her point of view, She is saying how she feels about this issue and thats her right! If she has no interest to date outside her race why is cool to come down on her? Thats not right! People get on here and pretend there are no issues in interracial relationship and thats laughable I respect this lady because she's being honest with herself and this in tern can prevent heartache down the line

[PrinceJayMoriarty]

yes I would. I'm black and my preference is white men, not for their money or skin type, its just my preference. I have no problem dating a black man but I prefer white men. Its my life and my choice. If you have something rude or racist to say to me then keep on scrolling down the comments as I will ignore you. For all those who love interracial dating, LOVE YA!!

[mscardioqueen]

I wish Anderson wd do a show on wm who date outside of their race. As a bw, I'm kinda getting tired of hearing about the dating choices of bw & bm. I want to from the others - wm, am, hm.

[babechamp]

as a black women this video doesn't speak for me. I don't care what color the guy is, if you give me butterflies and have me giggling like a school girl and ask me out that is what does it for me. Race shouldn't even matter, people have come too far to let someone else throw them all the way back in time. I'm not trying to be naive or anything about race, I just ask you to respect my decisions and choices, you don't have to like them but guess what they are mine choices and decisions, not yours

[candlecane]

Darn it!! Where can I watch the rest of this?

[devilshomie]

Oh for god sake I am the product of an interracial marriage and I will date whoever the hell I want. I hate this stigma that black men are "betraying" their race because they date a white person or a hispanic person or an asian person. It pisses me off, why do I have to date only black men because I'm black and how am I "betraying" the black community, had a white person said that he only dated white people we would've all called him racist but if the person it black it's okay?

[whiskeredtuna]

loyalty for black americans to me is so rediculous...everyone is not your brother or sister. this idea that you must sacrifice feelings to people you don't even know because you share their race is silly.

[hotdrumchick]

You can't really pick and choose who you fall in love with. If your heart and emotions tell you that "This is the one for me", then everything else falls into place. "Race" shouldn't be an issue.

[ranmaster]

im not white nor black but you prove a very very valid point there. lots of times these days when a black person says something that could be considered negative people dont say shit but when its the other way around people asses begin to tighten. just in case you want to know im latin.

[jeralee]

honestly i don't care which race i date.i'm black so if i date in or outside my race it's not an issue to me.we're all equal.

[MsLoyal]

1. why is there such an issue with NOT being married in the country. being married does not solidify anything. a marriage can fall apart. the emphasis should always be on how to gain a healthy lasting relationship not a marriage. 2. Jacque will continue to be alone and manless simply because she refuses to date outside of her race.

[MsLotusBlooms]

Can someone tell me why so many people are so interested in us being married? I mean, I have other things to worry about than who's married and who's not. I just don't get it. Also, why aren't they focusing on the progress we make as women. All women can't have it all, and maybe for black women, marriage is not something on their path for evolution.

[cupcakeinvasion]

@nyker07
She's not telling black women to stay loyal to their black men, she's just stating that most do. Also, white men have a history of hating black men, so of course if they think this way some people will consider it to be racist.
Bottom line, you can't compare the two. If you don't want to date outside your race it doesn't make you racist...people just have their preferences. Personally, I don't see how you can only stay in your race because all ethnicities can be beautiful.

[pachanga]

very interesting topic. Anderson always knows the issues to hit.