Loop 21 Talks With Interracial Dating Expert Deborrah Cooper

Relationship columnist agrees "100%" that black women should date outside race

This coming October, relationship expert Deborrah Cooper will be the keynote speaker for what’s being billed as the first interracial dating convention, which will be held in San Francisco. The conference comes at a time when interracial relationships (or, black women who want to date white men) continue to stir heated debates across media platforms--including Loop 21’s own twitter roundtable earlier this month.

The SurvivingDating.com columnist, who once dated a Hawaiian-Chinese man her father didn’t approve of, says the conference will serve people who are curious about dating outside their race, but remain fearful due to preconceived notions. It will offer advice to those already in mixed relationships, says Cooper, but whose families may not approve.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one who has gotten that message from their family,” Cooper told Loop 21. “It’s not necessarily a black parent’s first preference, but I think most parents would get on board if they found that their child’s partner from another race treated them really well, loved them and honored their family. I think once those fears are addressed head on, then they’re okay with it.”

Cooper also spoke with Loop 21 about the question that has everyone on edge: “Is Marriage for White People?”

Loop 21: Why is an interracial dating conference necessary?

Cooper: I think it’s going to provide a venue that’s safe for people who have questions and are curious about interracial dating. So this will be a team of professional people involved in the industry that are specifically there for educational and open discussions. I hope that there will be a lot of people there who are curious about it, but they just haven’t tried it before and want to know if there is any truth to certain stereotypes. Questions like, ‘How do I approach a black woman if I’ve never done it before?’

Loop21: The conference is not just going to be focused on black-white relationships, right?

Cooper: No. That’s what is good about the San Francisco Bay Area. I was born and raised here, and I’ve always interacted with people of other cultures and races. There’s someone from every corner of the world in San Francisco -- from language to clothes, to food, to churches, and dances. You can really become involved with other cultures of other people, even if not romantically, but just on a social level.