Interracial Relationships Between Black Women and White Men (1)

I Loved this book so much. Got so much insight on the African American women dating or trying to date Caucasian men. The author broke down statistics and research on why and how African American women are the last people to have opportunity in finding true love and end up settling. One reason was how we didn't open our options. As a young educated and intelligent African American woman, we tend to be left out due to the stereotypical African American female constantly displayed. I don't want to settle. That is why I related to this book in so many ways. I prefer to date outside my race. White men are my primary preference. So this book gave me and those like me a voice and put us in a positive light for once. It was very informative and supportive of the decision of black women and white men opening their options beyond their origin of race and taking a chance at finding true love in a different way. I loved how it was mentioned that even though some relationships ended, it was not of racial reasons but of normal reasons that almost all relationships and marriages experience e.g. money, ego, loneliness, change of careers, kids etc. This book created a new insight and view on interracial dating, as these couples saw one another as people, human first. Then saw internal qualities, which gave them the ability to look past color itself. I can say this gave me more confidence to approach white men.

I went through a rough separation and divorce nearly four years ago, after almost 21 years of marriage. I went through numerous disappointments with online dating until I met Sharon. We texted and talked over the phone for nearly two weeks before we met on our first date. Sharon exceeded all my expectations, and the date was magical as first dates go. She agreed to meet me again the following weekend. As my feelings for her began to grow, so also sprouted fears and doubts. I began to educate myself, which enabled me to ask her direct and indirect questions about her life experiences. At the same time, I began to experience the traumas of "micro" biases and stereotypes that I needed to own up to and expose. These conversations only allowed us to draw closer to each other and grow. I found this book on Amazon and just finished reading it. I used a yellow highlighter and marked out many of the passages that struck a chord within me. I am giving this book to Sharon with a blue highlighter to do the same. It will be interesting to reread it when she finishes it so we can see how many of the highlighted passages turned green!

I would like to know if the results of this book would be different if couples were mainly from the south in Alabama or Georgia. Would race cause more problems down there? The case studies seemed to be mainly Mid West areas around Chicago and east coast. Most seemed to middle to upper class, college grads. What if the socioeconomic people were lower? More money problems then? The book is basically divided into three parts 1) dating 2) Currently married 3) divorced. It seems that race played no role or a minor one in their problems, which is a good thing. Being a white male, I have always believed in judging a person by their heart and what is inside, rather than the outward appearance. I do believe the case studies began to get monotonous because the author puts a lot of writing into what they did before meeting the person. I want to know more of what happened after they met... more details of interactions with opposite race friends etc. 3.5 stars for effort

I learned of this book for a videoblog on Swirling. I was very interested in learning more about Swirling from the Black Women and White Men perspectives as oppose to black men/white women. Cheryl provides the information in a smooth flow design that makes reading her data seemingly easy for non research type readers. It's refreshing to read the chapter on White men and their desire/attraction for Black women. The chapters on dating, married and divorce from shows that it's not always about race but a person's personality/characteristic that drew the initial attraction. Granted her couple stampling where from Chicago area either by birth or school/job transplantation; this reader is left feeling hopeful that the views expressed can transcend to any location. There is some one for every one.

Cheryl Y. Judice keeps it real as she shares engaging vignettes about relationships between Black women and White men. She doesn't just focus on couples who are dating or married. She also ventures out into the sticky area involving couples who have divorced, as well. I was amazed at how open and forthcoming the interviewees were in Judice's book. I would urge any single women who are seeking a relationship -- but are concerned about crossing the racial divide -- to read this book.

Interesting read for those who are dating people of different color. I am not currently dating anyone however in the past I have dated a black woman and I found the book an interesting read. Not a text book nor a book with an agenda. It is terse and to the point. The book contains many stories from couples who have dated interracially and their outcomes. If you are dating interracially you will find this read informative. However, in the end "love is love" and people are people and, as Bob Dylan once wrote in his song, 'the times they are a changing."

The book has more anecdotal stories and personal reflections but overall good.

I enjoyed the premise and the concept of the book. However the interviews became rather predictable in format and presentation. Also the scope was quite limited to specific geopgraphic areas. As a 57 year old white man dating a black woman(similar age) I was hoping that this would bring more awareness to me of ways in which we may have problems that I am not anticipating. I was disapointed that it didn't. It was definitely a case where the preface and first chapter were really where the meat of the book lie. As an academic treatise it was interesting, but nothing I would ever pick up to read again.