So do, but I don;t appreciate having everything I said dismissed because you have already decied I am saying it is ALL wrong.
No, no, not dismissed, for the most part I see agreement, just one or two areas of disagreement which is where your replies and links come in. I'll get back to you on the full reply later. But I'll give you my view on the okcupid trends.
It is of course rather disheartening to see those stats. One thing though, at first glance I would like to see those stats taken in 5 year intervals to see what long-term trends there has been on the "snap-shot" set of data taken at one point in period. This would then show if such perceptions change over time.
I think it takes time for racial preferences to change.
One reason is cultural prejudices: Take for example us desi's: it is frowned upon and made very difficult for us as a group to marry outside of our own people. A Pakistani mother wouldn't go to her son's wedding because he married a Bangaldeshi lady. A Bangladesh couple stopped contacting their daughter because she fell in love with a black guy.
Another reason is cultural differences: it is pretty difficult say for a Muslim brought up in the West to mingle with non-Muslims
Another reason I think is societal mobility: black people started off with a major disadvantage economically and socially (as you mention, slavery and racism). It takes time for social mobility to happen. Once there is mobility however (based on a person's merit, not skin colour) then I see more inter-racial opportunities (such as at uni, in the work place, residential area, etc). Over the years in the UK I have seen more and more white/black couples. Complete confirmation bias but my next door neighbors are interracial: white guy, black woman - happy married with 2 kids.
Another aspect is on the culture of liberalism: I personally feel most English white men/women don't like to date Asian men/women (though - I can understand the excess baggage they have to take on for example the South-Asian parent's not being very happy about it) . But I have noticed those that are more liberal have less prejudice.
And secondly return to my argument to HO, explain to me why black women are the least desired out of all women, rather than as a left over effect of racism and slavery?
As to why black women are least desired .... well let's first at least point out the match rate:
As you can see, the races all match each other roughly evenly: good news. It means all other things being equal, two people, of whatever race, should have the same chance to have a successful relationshp. But now let’s look at the table of how individuals actually reply to each other’s messages.
Black women write back the most. Whether it’s due to talkativeness, loneliness, or a sense of plain decency, black women are by far the most likely to respond to a first contact attempt. In many cases, their response rate is one and a half times the average, and, overall, black women reply about a quarter more often that other women.
Then the other graph:
Blimey, two more questions:
- Why are Indian men the least replied?
- Why is an Indian female more likely to respond to all other races more than an Indian or Asian guy?
Yes there are prejudice men out there towards black women, very horrible. I would say there is prejudice to Indian and Asian gents too in a way. Societal pressure in this form exists indeed. On the whole concept of societal pressure being in existence, yes I agree it exists. I have hope that over time these can change - because I find prejudice something that can be overcome in a modern, open, changing society. Take a look at India and how the dark-skinned untouchables are changing their nation - such people live a better life in cities where things are open and more liberal rather than their villages where they are still considered untouchables.
Will get back to the rest of your post as I say.
Topic: Hijab, self esteem and the culture of beauty