Do Indians dislike black Americans in regards to marriage and dating?

Question

I have a friend is African American and dating a kerala man.. he has not told his family yet..his family wants to arrange a marriage instead.. but the couple are happy together and discussed marriage..what are some opinions on what is felt about african americans?

Answer 1

What color to do with love affair/marriage/dating? Indians themselves are not white colored guys rather brown or dark brown & in southern side of Indian they are more or less same colored as black Americans. We Indians are not bothered about color of any person it’s the whites who have that surperioty complex we are very simple & down to earth people & believe in real love that only we can give & take. As far this case why this Kerala man didn't tell his family is personal outlook nothing to do with Indian mentality about color of the person.

Answer 2

This could end up being a touchy subject in this part of Yahoo Answers. In some cultures today, even in some families, arranged marriages still go on. In my opinion, people are not chess pieces, they like what they like and love what they love.

Love doesn't see colors, it doesn't care what race you are, it only sees the beauty inside and out. You can't generalize a group's opinion based on one person. No one can tell you that ALL indians dislike African Americans.

I would marry a man based on what I see, he could end up being European descent, Latin, African American, Asian, whatever his background, as long as all the right ingredients are in it and we want to be together, so be it.

This question really should be in the sociology section of Yahoo answers.

Answer 3

Indians dislike anyone who is not Indian, dear.

In India, the parents arrange the marriage. He will not tell his parents about her. When his parents decide it is time for him to fulfill his duty as husband then he will marry whomever they choose.

He knows this.

He's had the opportunity to taste a relationship of his choice. He wishes he could make the decision, and I'm sure they're very happy together.

But he won't go against family, in the end.

Answer 4

I mostly agree with the guy who said, that it’s mostly the white European society who has complexes about the color of the skin of other persons...
I have been living in USA, UK and Germany and unfortunately it’s right, that there do exist persons who will look down on you, just because you have brown skin, as they regard themselves as superior and of a much better race.
Here in Spain some people told me, that the gypsies in Europe came originally from India and looking at me they tried to find some similarity.
I always say, that I really like this story and that I would feel proud of my people if it was true, as the most famous singers and dancers in Spain are gypsy people.
Does there racism exist in India? Do some Indian people look down on other races and regard them as inferior ones?
Well, I think that there does exist something very similar to racism in India and it’s called the caste system. Although it’s officially abolished, many people still follow these inhuman unwritten norms.
I didn’t observe in USA that Indian people were especially looking down on black Americans or that they regarded them as superior... but it is a fact in UK in some Indian circles.
These Indians who came from Uganda (this is many years ago) to the UK where brought up in an African country which was a British colony and many of these people even nowadays do feel superior to the blacks, as if they were some kind of "small master".
I think, that these stupid ideas will vanish with the time in the same way as I do really hope that the caste system will disappear even in the most rural areas of India…

Answer 5

After going through your question, let me tell you what I feel. Indians are indeed generally biased against dark complexions. It is not any racial bias, but just a colour bias. A lot of Indians looking for suitable brides and grooms advertise in the matrimonial columns of major dailies. If you go through a particular day's advertisements, you will not fail to notice that for males, among the most important requirements is a fair complexioned girl as a wife. When girls advertise, there is hardly one who says that she is dark complexioned. The word that comes closest to a dark complexion, as used in these matrimonial advertisements is medium complexioned, which means something in between dark and fair. In reality, it often turns out that a girl who has been described as medium complexioned is actually dark.
A lot of Indians befriend African Americans. They can be very good friends. Indians have good black friends from the African continent too. But if asked to choose between a white American and a black American for a life partner, I'm near certain that the choice would be heavily in favour of the former. As I've already explained, this is without prejudice to race. Indians strongly supported Nelson Mandela and his campaign against apartheid. Black singers, film actors and sports persons have as much fan following among Indians, as they have across the rest of the world. But it is the mindset of the average Indian, warped (if that is the word you like) over several centuries that make them prejudiced against dark complexions in matters of marriages. It is not only African Americans, but also dark complexioned Indians who are on the receiving end of such prejudice.
In Indian society, the dice is heavily loaded in favour of the males. Women are still largely held in an inferior position compared to men. So you might actually see lots of dark Indian men preferring to marry fair skinned women and also succeeding in getting a fair skinned wife without much effort. Ask any Indian girl and you would almost certainly hear that her innermost desire for a life partner centres around a fair skinned man. For Indian women, the choice is obviously for tall, fair and handsome men.
About the guy from Kerala, I'm sure you have guessed the reason for his not disclosing his affair with the African American lady to his family. He apprehends that such an alliance will not be considered too kindly by his family. In fact, I strongly suspect that it will meet with stiff resistance from his family members.

Answer 6

i am from America and when i went to India, i witnessed that Indians are not very fond of Black Americans. I think that Indians feel threatened by the Blacks, although they have no reason too. But face it, a lot of Indians are judemental with older thinking and cannot accept different people. I say this with experience, not to offend anyone here.

Answer 7

i think of the caribbean became into reported a hell of alot stricter than AA's previously u did something undesirable there became right into a wip on you're back and that they did no longer take that lots cultural opression if a white guy assaults a west indian they're particular to come back back than an AA. W.I's a miles less corrupted with the aid of racisim

Answer 8

I think it's a culture difference. Many people thought I was American too and had reservations as to my relationship and acquaintances in India. Only on hearing that I was indeed S.African, were they at ease.
It would be, in my opinion, that an American would find it difficult to adjust to Indian culture, thus having to lose their children to American culture.
There's only a culture problem and not a color issue.
If it's about color...that's ignorance and racizm.

Answer 9

personally i don't think that should be an issue in this day and time. African americans are as beautiful as any one else. but yes.......dark colors in any regard are not entertained in indian culture......if a north indian boy marries a dark colored girl.....there will be still eye brows raised.....unfortunately.....african americans also suffer.

Answer 10

I am American and have no opinion on this question but just would like to mention a movie that deals with just this issue, called
Mississippi Masala. It is very good.