Interracial Couples (income, place to live, restaurants)

[JennOSU2008]

How well are interracial couples received in DC? Good, bad, or somewhere in between? I'm asking for both personal reasons as well as for general information.

[dullnboring]

In general, good. I would say it's better in the suburbs than the city itself though, as a whole. In my opinion, there's a variety of factors that affect acceptance. Among them, an area's diversity (both in terms of sheer numbers and in terms of integration), socioeconomic level, and chiefly, the education level. The DC area if I'm not mistaken is actually the most highly-educated metropolitan area in the country, so as such, there is a high degree of acceptance. I think in any part of the DC area where there is a racially homogenous population (whether white or black), a high concentration of low-income residents and/or where the average educational attainment is low (those two often going hand in hand), you are more likely to face problems than elsewhere. That's certainly not to say that all poor people or all people who live in non-diverse communities are racist; but it's just a general guideline. I've seen interracial couples harassed a few times on Metro in some parts of DC over the years. Nothing horrific, but remarks made.

In the suburbs especially, interracial dating is very common and not really seen as an issue. I currently live in a suburb around 35 miles west of D.C. and I would say on a random day at the local mall which offers a good cross-section of the community, at least 20% of couples are interracial, and of every possible mixture, and no one seems to care. I've lived around the DC area in various parts of Northern Virginia for the majority of my life, and have dated women of every race under the sun, and I have honestly never firsthand experienced any problems. No stares, no issues with families and friends, no bad service in restaurants, etc. It's been a non-issue for me.

[JennOSU2008]

Thanks for all that! I really appreciate it.

[Zippy7fo]

Not an issue at all!!!! Nobody cares and the above poster is right. I've been in several IR ships and never had any problems. Now southern va might be whole another story...Maryland, DC, Nova you'll be fine..

[DCCurious]

Totally agree with previous posters. In general, it's a non-issue, it's a very diverse city. Ten years ago it was a different story. You may get your occassional look or remark but again, it could be socio-economic and depend on what part of town you find yourself in.

[PUB]

DC people as a whole are pretty open minded.

[seldomseen]

Like what the others said...interracial relationship will not be a problem in the DC Metro area. Of course you might come across an ignoramous or two but that's mostly it. The likelihood of a interracial couple experience overt, violent discrimination is unlikely. The DC Metro area is very educated, and racially/culturally diverse area making interracial relationship an "ideal" place to live.

[landrover06]

This is good to read. My wife and I left in 89 and at the time, there were problems. Good to see that DC has progressed.

[keepthefaith]

No problem at all. IR couples are all over DC.

[Moth]

Not an issue.