Fans of Interracial Romance discussion
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Why do you read IR books?
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I read IR because i like reading about a heroine that i can relate to physically and in some ways personally. I can easily interchange myself and the heroine which would make the story for me all that more enjoyable. Added to that I don't believe love should be restricted by ethnicity or color. How light or how dark a man or woman is shouldn't stop you from believing that person is handsome or beautiful.
"Love as thou wilt."
I read IR because I've never felt that color should ever matter in a relationship or in life. We all should love and marry whomever we choose to. Love has no color. The heart sees no color and to me that is how it should be. As in all romance, I love to see the couples triumph over adversity and their love prevail and triumph over all circumstances. For me that's why I love romance and no matter how many I read it never gets old.
I read IR because I believe that all men are beautiful!!!! Love sees no color!!!! Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Loving! ;-)
Have you read Mildred's statement about love being between any 2 people who love each other? It was published shortly before her death last year. Powerful stuff from a woman who often is only a footnote in history, but whose marriage rocked the foundation of racism and bigotry in the US. When I tell kids in high schools that she had to fight all the way to the Supreme Court and it took over 10 years for her to have the right to be part of an inter-racial marriage, they are disbelieving. To them, a relationship between people of different races is normal. I hope that continues.
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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There are so many reasons I read IR's. The first is that's pretty much all I've known. Most of the men I've dated have been of other races so seeing what's been so natural to me reflected in the pages of a book is very cool and frankly about time. I like reading about couples like me who struggle with other issues that aren't race related. I like seeing beautiful, strong and smart black women paired with strong and passionate men who know what they want and aren't afraid to go after it. I like seeing these characters make mistakes and grow, just like all relationships do.The best reason for me to read IR's is why not? Treating IR couples like they're something "strange" makes absolutely no sense at all. We're talking about human beings and the human heart after all, and the human heart knows no color.
Fiona wrote: "Have you read Mildred's statement about love being between any 2 people who love each other? It was published shortly before her death last year. Powerful stuff from a woman who often is only a f..."Yes,I've read it. Have you seen the Loving Story Documentary that was on HBO. It is really good. I teach World History and African American History to high school students. I cover their story every year in my class. The students really have a lot to contribute to the discussion.
I read IR romance novels because I read romance novels. Also because in my reality I live in a multicultural world and am surrounded by a multi-culti family. I like the idea of knowing that all types of people and romances are worthy of having their story represented in a genre that is supposed to be about overcoming all obstacles to find that one true person.
Fiona wrote: "Have you read Mildred's statement about love being between any 2 people who love each other? It was published shortly before her death last year. Powerful stuff from a woman who often is only a f..."I'm happy to hear that your students consider a relationship between an interracial couple normal. It is and it is leagal because of the Lovings. That's why we have to keep History alive and teach them that all the rights we have weren't free. That someone fought for the rights we have today. Brava to you Fiona for contributing to that.
I'm an unemployed (not by choice) English teacher who has been subbing for 10 years, along with working various other p/t jobs. I don't get to bring up the subjects I'd like to because I get censured, then banned from districts. I bring in newspaper clippings and use them to introduce myself at the beginning of the class, telling them I like to keep the high-schoolers apprised of what is going on in the world, since most of them don't watch news, don't read the papers, and use the internet only for yakking with their friends or looking for porn.But when I can I work in facts like the Lovings' court case. I love long-term sub jobs when I can actually teach, and To Kill A Mockingbird gave me the perfect springboard for so many discussions! The upshot is that most teens feel color has nothing to do with love, since they've been going to school together forever. Public schools are a good thing, IMHO.
Getting back to the original subject, I read IR because I believe in love of all colors being a good thing. I write IR for the same reason.
Yes, there are so many things you can't talk about to kids these days. Newspapers are a good tool to use. I had a teacher like you that made History so very interesting. That is why I love it still. I wish you luck in finding a permanent position some day. As for IR, can you give me a list of your books. I'd love to read them. Thanks!
Thanks, Gwen, but I fear that with the number of new college graduates with teaching degrees, no one will hire an older teacher anymore. They think I "can't relate" to the kids, but one kid started a Facebook fan club for me as his favorite sub years ago, and he's half-way through college now. There are hundreds of kids from 8 schools on my fan page. But the administrations want someone with less personality.If you are interested, go to my website:
www.fionamcgier.com
I know what you mean about the job market. What a nice testament by that student for you!Thanks for the website info. I'll check it out!
I read IR for a couple of reasons.1. I like books where versions of my idealized self gets the alpha hero of my dreams.
2. I have also leaned more toward dating interracially than not in real life.
I love to read across genres because I get bored really fast and reading is somewhat of a passion of mine so when it came to romance I wanted the female to reflect me. I am also involved in an interracial relationship so it is nice to see that represented.
I like to, but only because when I read same race books featuring black women, they're a bit stereotypical. Not to say I don't know women like that, because I definitely do. But, black women are written very poorly in books labeled as "Black Books".
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Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "I agree there is some pigeonholing of black women in fiction, not to mention tv/movies, Guinevere. Honestly, I read books with white heroines who are more like me than the black heroines, and that ..."I used to love Eric Jerome Dickey when he wrote books like
. These books featured black women I really related to. I don't like hood drama books but love fleshed out black characters. I don't even expect to find that in the romance genre really. I guess when looking for that kind of thing I'm not looking for love, but more familial relationship exploration.
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Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors
(last edited Jul 26, 2013 07:04PM)
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I've read some contemporary black fiction in my time, but most of it was depressing to me. Since I read for escapism, I didn't find it there. One of the books that made me the most angry was Mama because I think they showed black women at their worst. While my family has lots of trouble at times, it was an eye-opener to see a mother figure acting the way the mother does in that book, and how it affects all her daughters. After that, I never tried to read any more McMillan.
Paganalexandria wrote: "Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "I agree there is some pigeonholing of black women in fiction, not to mention tv/movies, Guinevere. Honestly, I read books with white heroines who are mor..."Friends and Lovers remains one of my favorites! I've always identified with Shelby in that book. What's funny is that I first read that book 10 years ago and am just now the age of the characters. :-)
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Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "I've never read Eric Jerome Dickey. Thanks for the recommendation.I've read some contemporary black fiction in my time, but most of it was depressing to me. Since I read for escapism, I didn't ..."
Danielle, you did better than me. That was the one Terry McMillian I DNF. Terry's books can sometimes leave you feeling less than positive. I mean even her happiest book
reads more as a cautionary tale because the real life tragic comedy that inspired can't get out of your head.Do not, I repeat, Do not read any of the horrible Gideon series
. He decided to change to a grittier urban style. Hate it.
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The bad part about McMillan is I won't read anything else by her because I got burned so much with Mama. My sister read Disappearing Acts and didn't care much for it.
Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "Oh thanks for the warning about the Gideon series. I hate urban fiction! The bad part about McMillan is I won't read anything else by her because I got burned so much with Mama. My sister read ..."
I am sure there is good urban fiction out there, but all I can visualize is my dumb sister-in-law reading 50 cent's
while her lips moved.
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I get my thug life fix from MSNBC marathons of Lockdown (have no idea why that show fascinates me). I don't enjoy reading about that kind of thing. I really it's the syntax and the speaking patterns that turn me off. They tend to have an almost dialect feel that drives me crazy trying to follow. My brain wants to fix it.Plus my sister and law doesn't even read magazines, so her reading a book threw me off. The fact that 50 cent had a book tripped me out too. She is my barometer for a lot of things that are no-go's. I didn't think you putting down the genre. I am not putting down the genre just being snarky. LOL
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I'm not sure why and I've been asking myself that a lot lately, as I've never been in an IR relationship.
me either I think I see enough ugly in my daily life working for child protective services. when I read books I want to be whisked away to see fairy land or at least a peaceful reality
Fans of Interracial Romance
Books mentioned in this topic
Death Before Dishonor (other topics)How Stella Got Her Groove Back (other topics)
Sleeping with Strangers (other topics)
Mama (other topics)
Friends and Lovers (other topics)
More...
I love IR romances! But some people might be surprised at the reason why I read them. My husband is black (and so am I, btw) and I have never dated interacially even though I have had interest in my young adult years. But you know what is my main drive of reading IR? The heroines are more like me. I identify so much with heroines in books by Shelley Laurenston, Savannah Frierson and Latrivia Nelson. Something else is that these author's have heroines with natural hair which again is me.
I read non IR romances as well and enjoy them but I identify more with heroines in the IR romances.
Your thoughts?