Quote:
Originally posted by Jill1228
If someone says that they don't want to date outside of their race, does it make them close minded? Not racist, but close minded for not expanding horizons...
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I think that it makes them narrow or 'intolerant' on precisely the level that they're operating on - for instance, someone earlier posted they were not intolerant for not dating felons, when the reality is that this behavior (not tolerating a felony record in a potential mate) is pretty much the definition of 'intolerant' if you remove the racial connotations from the word.
There are reasons other than racism to prefer a mate from a certian group. For instance, I could see how someone who is black might prefer to marry someone who has had a similar experience as they have growing up - and may prefer to raise their children in a household where both parents understand what it means to be black. Being white, I understand that I can't really provide that perspective, and so if that is desired I'm obviously out of the running.
The same situations have been occurring among some religious populations for a long time - I'm thinking specifically Catholic and Jewish communities, but I'm sure there are others. This just means they'd prefer someone inside their particular group, with a shared experience or belief system . . . I could imagine doing the same for a cultural or ethnic background.
This really doesn't equate to 'closed mindedness' on any level that really matters, although it may inexplicably narrow the potential for happiness by attempting to ensure a certain common ground with a partner.
On the other hand, I don't find that simply dating someone from another race indicates a lack of prejudice or racism, just as Rudey has stated.