I Want To Know Why There Is Such A Lack Of Latino Men Who Are Interested In Dating African-american Women?
Is there an unwritten rule in Latino culture, that it is unpopular – and therefore unacceptable- to date anyone outside of your ethnic background? Or does the taboo only apply to women of African American ethnicity? If so, why do you think this kind of discrimination surrounding choosing black dating and relationship partners exists, when Latinos are a minority group too?
February 12th, 2010 at 6:15 am
While you can’t generalize because Latin America is very big and likes and dislikes vary greatly from one country to another, it is true that many Latino men and women don’t like to date black people. This is what I’ve seen: Latin American countries vary greatly in their racial profile; you can see the whole range of shades of skin colors, going from black to blond/white and everything in between. In the beginning, while Latin America was still ruled by Spain there was slavery and discrimination towards blacks and Native Americans (”indios”). After the countries got their independence, a lot of mixing took place, but there was still this idea that the whiter you were (or for that effect the more European-looking), the better. The standard of beauty became being whiter-looking, and this conception was reinforced in the last century by American propaganda and media (TV shows and commercials with blond/ blue eyed people). So it was, and it still is, common for families in Latin America to encourage their children to marry lighter-skinned people “para mejorar la raza” (Spanish for: to improve the race). By that they mean, not to have children with dark-skinned people (blacks or “indios”). Even though, the level of racism in Latin America never reached the degree of intolerance that you could see in the US (with the Ku Klux Klan and all the social abuse) discrimination still exist in a less than a subtle way. For example, there is a tendency in some Latin American countries to associate black people with lower socio-economical status, therefore black people may be disqualified as good candidates for high profile jobs or as potential romantic couples by some non-black Latin-Americans.
All this has caused an inferiority complex of in some (not all) dark-skinned Latinos, and therefore they don’t want to associate with blacks. Note that I say “dark-skinned” latinos instead of black or “light skinned” instead of “white” because even though there are few truly white Latin Americans (100% European descendent), there are no 100% blacks and the rest of us are an interesting mix of all races, being the lighter ones, those who has less black and Native American blood, and the darker ones more of it.
There are certain Latin countries where the discrimination towards blacks or Native Americans is more obvious that others and curiously, it often happens in countries where the majority of the population is dark-skinned. In Dominican Republic for example, I was shocked to find out that often times dark-skinned men and women (whom I personally consider black by all purposes) didn’t like to date other people who were just as dark as they were or darker than them (?). Also they didn’t consider themselves blacks and it would be offensive for them to bring that to their attention, showing clearly some identity problems. Something similar happens in countries like Peru, where the majority of the population is very Native American looking. There you see that people in the middle and middle-high class that has an obvious high percentage of Native American blood (with distinctive Indian facial features), think of themselves as being “white” almost as if they were in denial of their mestizaje. And they would try at all cost not to couple with someone as Indian looking as them.
One interesting thing that you see is in Latinos is that is more common to see light-skinned Latinos to feel attracted to blacks than the dark-skinned ones (Maybe because light-skinned Latinos don’t have the inferiority complex that SOME dark-skinned Latinos do..?). However when it comes to having a serious relationship with a black person the story is different, because then the Latino man or women involved in a relationship with a black may have to face the criticism of friends and family (remember that above I mentioned the tendency of the family to encourage marrying whiter people to “improve the breed”).
All this is ultimately traced back to those times when Spaniards made people believe that Blacks from Africa and Native American were an inferior human race.
I am Latin American (From Colombia), I am light-skinned, my paternal grandmother is a “Mulata” (half black-half white) and my Maternal grandfather a “Mestizo” (half indio-half white). I want to express that by no means I agree with any of this socio-cultural system of beliefs and that in fact, my boyfriend is African American (from Chicago).
February 12th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I think that stereotypes have a major role in this. African Americans are said to be loud and obnoxious, making them look like people that you do not want to associate yourself with. However, the majority of us are fortunate to know that not every single African American is like this. I have met many who are very well-mannered.
Also, past experiences have a lot to do with this problem. Perhaps many latinos have had bad experiences; my grandparents, for example, were unfortunate to have had horrible experiences with an African American couple that lived next-door to them. They quickly began to dislike all African Americans. The couple soon moved out and they were at peace again, but those same negative views were stuck with them until they met and befriended another African American couple.
I’m positive that there are latino men that are interested in black women. And also, it isn’t unpopular or unacceptable for latinos to date outside of our ethnic background; my ancestors came from El Salvador and I have many relatives who have married outside of their ethnic background. I believe that the older generations have gone against dating another race, but all of that is beginning to change.
February 12th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
my first bf was latino, his mom didnt really like black people and she met me and really liked me.
i think alot of latinos dont like black men but they like black women alot do actually but alot of races arent sure if a black women would be interested in dating out there race.
im really attracted to latinos and thats mostly who i go out with.
it could be where you live. or how you present yourself.
latino men and black women are like the most interracial relationshipe between black women and a different race well where i live.
i live in cali
February 12th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
I am Mexican and I dated an African-American chick for 4-5 yrs. She was really cool, at first I didn’t think she was into me.
That may be part of the problem some hispanic men might be slightly intimidated by a black girl. Boy would I get some crap from Black dudes when we went to the mall or anywhere of course only when they were in a group of 3 or more. Some black guys actually gave me props for being with her. I still think of that booty til this day mmhmmhhm
If you are into some dude give him some signs just don’t be too vague.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
shut up!
not a troll! just not in the mood!!
fix yourself…i know black girls with latino guys (and the black girls aren’t attractive)
February 13th, 2010 at 4:32 am
I know a lot of Latino men with African-American women.
February 13th, 2010 at 9:58 am
not many latinos like african americans
February 13th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
African American women cant resist my swag
February 13th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
we just don’t like black girls