On the eve of Valentine's Day, about 45 people gathered in Vance Hall to discuss one of the sometimes controversial aspects of love.
Students explored the issue of interracial dating by listening and responding to a six-person panel of students of a variety of backgrounds.
The panel interacted with the diverse audience to talk about their personal feelings and experiences with dating someone of another race or knowing someone who has.
Panel member Erin O'Keefe, a white woman, commented on her parents' reaction to her 3 1/2-year relationship with a black man.
"In my situation, it's been hard," the Wharton junior said. "My family is not accepting at all of my boyfriend."
Panelist Janel Grant, a black student who has a white brother-in-law, said that she disapproves of interracial dating because she said she believes some black men date white women as a way of climbing the social ladder.
"It hurts me," Grant said. "For me it's an issue of history, beauty and oppression.
"You see successful black men, and they all have a white woman," she added. "It's hard for a black female, because it's like, 'who wants me?'"
Grant's controversial comments did not sit well with her fellow panelists.
"I disagree that every black person who dates interracially has an ulterior motive," countered black panelist Geraldine Sawula. "Some people date because they like a person. This says to me that black women are insecure."
Audience members actively participated in the discussion, including LaToya Baldwin, a black Wharton senior who is involved in an interracial relationship.
"Part of me didn't want to come [tonight] because I thought I would get angry about the comments I heard," she said. "But I wanted a little camaraderie and to talk to someone who is in my situation and faces the issues I face."
Wharton Legal Studies Professor Kenneth Shropshire facilitated the event, initiating the discussion by commenting on society's progress in allowing such a topic to be candidly discussed. At the conclusion, Shropshire noted that he "was pleased with the level of openness and exchange between the panelists and the audience."
Last night's discussion was organized by Check One, a campus organization that strives to embrace multi-ethnic backgrounds.
The group's president was pleased with how the event turned out.
"We're really excited about this event and I think it went really well," College sophomore Joanna Visser said. "We tried to invite people representing different viewpoints."
