Today there seems to be a growing cultural trend of Asian women and Black men relationships. It seems to have developed into a fad that is promoted both on television and the internet. Although only 2% of interracial marriages are actually Black male and Asian female the trend seems to be rising and it’s hard to surf the internet or turn on the television without seeing one such romantic interlude.
Why such an interest in Black Asian romantic dynamics? Some believe that the growing trend is an extension of stereotypes that were fomented during the Vietnam war with Black soldiers and their experiences during their tours in Asia. Historically Asian women have been viewed as oversexed dolls who crave the dominance of a man while Black men were portrayed as manly and virile, perfect as the dominator. Although there were undoubtedly some Black soldiers that never had any romantic experiences with Asian women during their military service, the few that did were noticed and their relationships stereotyped.
In popular culture there has always been a natural attraction between Blacks and Asians stemming from a sympathetic understanding of the plight that each have suffered under the hands of colonialism and western culture. There is a definite unspoken understanding and respect among the cultures and this has fed into the fantasy. However what is interesting is that the fantasy does not encompass a Black woman and Asian man dynamic. Gives us all something to think about.
But philosophy aside, the über seductive image of the Asian woman and the manly, stallion like Black man is what captures and fascinates television audiences causing ratings to go off the charts. The internet is flooded with interracial dating sites some of which specifically center on Asian women and Black men relationships. People are taken by this pairing seeing it as exotic and highly sexually charged and let’s face it sex sells. Even if we don’t see it with our own eyes in our minds eye the potential is explosive and that is what attracts the stares and the gawking and even some of the disparaging remarks.
Television portrays romances between Asian women and Black men as conflicted, bitter sweet and unbalanced. For those that have not yet come to realize that you can’t believe everything you see on television, real life Asian women and Black men relationships couldn’t be more different than these soap-opera like shows. As human beings we all basically have the same needs, to love and be loved. Cultural differences aside, love is truly colorblind and it can know down any barrier that society of families put up.
Interracial relationships including Asian women and Black men relationships are largely based on the principles that other romantic relationships are based upon, that is trust, respect and love.