Spring Break
Interracial duos find themselves in the minority
By: Jessie Tang
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Recess
Last update: 2/14/08 at 7:15 AM EST
Last update: 2/14/08 at 7:15 AM EST
Two hands.
That's about all most Duke students need to count the number of interracial couples they know on campus.
Surprising? Disconcerting? Slightly sad?
Perhaps yes, to all of the above. If love claims to have no boundaries, why do limits still exist?
In the giant melting pot that is America, racial lines are becoming blurred and even erased in some cases. Especially in college, students interact with people of different races and backgrounds on a daily basis.
However, the idea of interracial dating is still foreign territory to many, and it has direct bearings on how mixed-race couples are viewed on campus. Friends of senior Sashank Veligati and junior Sandra Morris, who have been dating for two years now, could not see the two together at first.
Morris said, "It's just an image thing to them. I do think there's this idea that you should date people of your own race because it looks better."
Sophomore Myles Recny wouldn't necessarily agree. His initial attraction to ex-girlfriend, sophomore Rhea Kaw, was because of her different ethnicity. Coming from Australia, Recny had never dated an Asian before.
"I've been accused of having yellow fever from my friends," Recny said. "It's pretty degrading to say... I think I was a little drawn to her exoticness."
While the hype of "exotic" attraction rings true for Recny, he is not in the majority.
"I don't really see race," said junior Leigh Ann Samsa of boyfriend and fellow junior JR Roland. "I was drawn to him because he was cute. We started talking and had similar opinions on life."
Like Samsa and Roland, sophomores Connie Chu and Ben Wolf also cited compatibility of personalities as the key to their bond. Wolf didn't start thinking about race until later in their relationship.
"It never really entered my mind that she was Chinese when I started liking her," Wolf said. "I just… liked her. It didn't cross my mind, these race issues."
That's about all most Duke students need to count the number of interracial couples they know on campus.
Surprising? Disconcerting? Slightly sad?
Perhaps yes, to all of the above. If love claims to have no boundaries, why do limits still exist?
In the giant melting pot that is America, racial lines are becoming blurred and even erased in some cases. Especially in college, students interact with people of different races and backgrounds on a daily basis.
However, the idea of interracial dating is still foreign territory to many, and it has direct bearings on how mixed-race couples are viewed on campus. Friends of senior Sashank Veligati and junior Sandra Morris, who have been dating for two years now, could not see the two together at first.
Morris said, "It's just an image thing to them. I do think there's this idea that you should date people of your own race because it looks better."
Sophomore Myles Recny wouldn't necessarily agree. His initial attraction to ex-girlfriend, sophomore Rhea Kaw, was because of her different ethnicity. Coming from Australia, Recny had never dated an Asian before.
"I've been accused of having yellow fever from my friends," Recny said. "It's pretty degrading to say... I think I was a little drawn to her exoticness."
While the hype of "exotic" attraction rings true for Recny, he is not in the majority.
"I don't really see race," said junior Leigh Ann Samsa of boyfriend and fellow junior JR Roland. "I was drawn to him because he was cute. We started talking and had similar opinions on life."
Like Samsa and Roland, sophomores Connie Chu and Ben Wolf also cited compatibility of personalities as the key to their bond. Wolf didn't start thinking about race until later in their relationship.
"It never really entered my mind that she was Chinese when I started liking her," Wolf said. "I just… liked her. It didn't cross my mind, these race issues."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Duke Senior
posted 2/14/08 @ 2:16 PM EST
This article does not resonate with my experience here at all, and I am a senior. In fact, it seems a bit ridiculous, given that over half the actual couples I know here are interracial. (Continued…)
Duke Junior
posted 2/14/08 @ 7:31 PM EST
I agree with the poster above me...maybe the author needs to re-evaluate her group of friends? Does she really not know that many interracial couples? I feel like I have more friends in interracial relationships than not. (Continued…)
George Chell
posted 2/15/08 @ 8:53 AM EST
It is still the south and while the Research Triangle may be liberal compared to the rest of NC, the fact is Duke is located in NC. And also the recent events with false accusations of rape and a highly political DA does not help. (Continued…)
Black and White
posted 2/18/08 @ 4:32 AM EST
I would like to thank blackcentury.com for bringing a very close friend from 17 years ago. I never had the chance to express how I really felt. I had always watched her from afar, but due to Mutual friends it wouldn't be right, but now we are planning to meet for new years eve. (Continued…)
Um, What?
posted 3/03/08 @ 5:35 PM EST
Agreed-- Do better research. Maybe this "two hands" thing holds true for some small part of Duke, but I really disagree.
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