ABSTRACT
The men disclosed a variety of experiences in dealing with the responses of Black and White men and women, as well as in a few cases, those of Hispanics and Asians. Almost half of the men specifically noted having had negative experiences in dealing with Black women when their partners accompanied them. The men generally reported having had satisfactory reactions from their friends following a sufficient period of time during which the friends adjusted to their new relationship, and this adjustment occurred regardless of whether their closest friends were Black or of another racial status. Historically during the American slave period and for some time thereafter, a person’s social mobility and very existence was tied to other people’s perceptions of that person’s racial status. Consequently, the racial status of the person selected as a mate was necessarily of great social importance.
