Alexis Dent: i will be torn involving the progressiveness we obviously pursue plus the regressive nature of a culture that still makes me feel ‘less black colored’ for dating a man that is white

December 15, 2016
2:45 PM EST

We moved down the aisle that is cereal the food store, determined in order to complete my grocery list. When I skimmed my eyes over the rows of containers, we landed on which I became shopping for: a jumbo field of Rice Krispies.

“Good choice, ” a deep, bellowing vocals confirmed. We switched around and saw a handsome man that is black patiently, by having a cart filled with food and a hot laugh that quickly invigorated my tired character after an extended day’s work. He had been using an outfit that is professional leather-based dress footwear and a brown wool houndstooth coating aided by the collar popped. We smiled and apologized for holding him up.

“No problem, ” he reassured me personally with a sort nod.

This encounter ended up being absolutely nothing uncommon; we often have actually comparable encounters with strangers during the food store.

Nevertheless, when I strolled past this man’s cart saturated in child wipes, pull-up diapers, good fresh fruit along with his very own field of Rice Krispies, we felt a tremendous number of shame.

I’m a black colored girl whom hasn’t dated a black guy, and a lot of times I don’t think about this. But often, like whenever I encounter a well-dressed household man having a shared love for several morning meal cereals, we wonder if i will be a deep a deep failing my individuals.

Most likely, 50 years back in several states it absolutely was nevertheless unlawful for all of us to marry whoever wasn’t additionally black colored. Read more