Interracial couples

[Steve_W]

I agree, interracial couples aren't that uncommon but White man and Black Woman seems very uncommon to me.

In Omaha blacks are reluctant to marry white people (or date for that matter) because they are viewed upon as "Sellouts" in the black community.

[RonnieJonez]

Originally Posted by El Rhino

Who's "with the times" then?

LA, Chicago, NY, Las Vegas, Miami - in terms of nightlife, diversity and cultural opportunity. You just don't have those things in Iowa, that doesn't take rocket science to figure out and shouldn't upset you. Yes, an interracial couple regardless of what races are together will be stared at more in Iowa than diverse places, but some will still be stared at in diverse places to be fair. That shouldn't be a suprise.

Obviously you'd like another tit-for-tat argument. Iowa is simply behind those places. Some of the "clubs" in Des Moines still think Montel Jordan implies new music.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by Steve_W

In Omaha blacks are reluctant to marry white people (or date for that matter) because they are viewed upon as "Sellouts" in the black community.

Here it seems like the opposite, where it seems like you rarely see a black man with a black woman.

RonnieJonez, you know you still like "This Is How We Do It".

[Chicago60614]

I lived in Iowa for 22 years before moving to Chicago. I think people in Iowa would stare more because it's something unusual and new as far as what they're use to seeing.

I would be hesitant though to think all these Iowans are disapproving of you. I think it's more staring because it's different and new, not because they think it's wrong or are giving you dirty looks. Compared to the other 48 states I've visited, I don't see Iowans as very racist. Mostly just naive, but fairly open.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

I would be hesitant though to think all these Iowans are disapproving of you. I think it's more staring because it's different and new, not because they think it's wrong or are giving you dirty looks. Compared to the other 48 states I've visited, I don't see Iowans as very racist. Mostly just naive, but fairly open.

Exactly. I've never been to Lisbon, Iowa before but I'm sure that town is a little low on African-Americans so seeing one, especially with a white guy, is going to be something noteworthy enough to look twice.

[F355]

I'm a white guy and in a relationship with an African-American.........guy.

Now that's something to stare at! People shouldn't be surprised at any male/female combination these days. There really are some not with the times places out there!

[Steve_W]

Originally Posted by El Rhino

Exactly. I've never been to Lisbon, Iowa before but I'm sure that town is a little low on African-Americans so seeing one, especially with a white guy, is going to be something noteworthy enough to look twice.

LOL, yeah it probably made the local newspaper.

[Chicago60614]

Just looked it up! Lisbon/Mt Vernon (they're attached, total pop about 5,200)

29 black people
26 asian people
50 hispanics

So yeah, I think it is quite rare to see minorities in Lisbon.

Honestly though, Linn County and Johnson County (Lisbon is pretty close to the border) have 8,147 black people, 7,199 asians and 5,508 hispanics.

So it's not like you ONLY see white people. It is 2007 after all, not 1950. Those stats were from 2000, and I can say from going back home to Johnson County that the past 7 years have seen a lot more minorities moving into this area.