Alhi Leconte/ Staff Writer
A while back, Rapper Kodak Black made controversial comments about black women that garnered a lot of negative attention on social media. In an Instagram live video, he was asked if he was interested in Keke Palmer. He responded by saying “I don’t really like black girls like that.”
Vocalizing preferences in dating is a rather sensitive subject and most people tiptoe around it to avoid offending others. However, it’s important to note that preferences shouldn’t be confused with racism.
The saying “you like who you like” is without a doubt valid, but the modern dating scene is quite dicey. Society, culture, family and experiences throughout life influence who we choose to date. Unfortunately, no matter how conscious or unconscious someone might be about it, racial preferences and beauty standards still seem to be important factors when choosing a partner.
Racism is defined as the belief that race is “the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.” Racism is also showing or feeling discrimination or prejudice against a certain race or races.
It’s not bad to have racial preferences, but when those preferences have the intention of excluding, it becomes racist. For example, a person’s dating history may include a variety of races, but there’s one race they prefer more and have dated more often. Giving other races a chance doesn’t make their preference exclusionary.
However, it’s possible to have zero hate in your heart and still say discriminatory comments because it can be rooted from ignorance. The purpose doesn’t need to come from a place of hate for it to offend. It can also come from naiveté.
Nowadays, people have gone as far as putting “only…(insert race)” or “I’m not into…(insert race)” on their dating profiles. Many would just deem this to be preferential, but it’s unequivocally racist as the nature of these statements are shutting people out solely because of their race.
Kodak saying he doesn’t date black girls is a prime example of this type of racism.
Making claims like “I’m not racist but…” followed by a comment meant to ostracize a selective group of people because of their race is absolutely offensive. Having racial preferences is fine until it reaches discriminatory, prejudicial and exclusionary territory.
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Photo taken from Unsplash.
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