HIGH LIFE : Interracial Dating Is OK With the Students

The majority of the 3,247 Orange County high school students responding to a recent Hot Topics poll approve of interracial dating and marriage, and many have dated someone of another race.

Here’s what the students had to say about interracial dating and marriage:

“I don’t think (interracial dating) is wrong, but I think it can put a lot of pressure on the couple. I would hope that this country has matured far enough to accept it.”

Jennifer Mask, 17, senior, Brea-Olinda

“My last boyfriend was Korean. Issues involving the difference in race only came up when others expressed disapproval. Between us, there was no problem. An interesting point is that not only was I told to stick to my own race, but for the first time I was discriminated against for being white. I suppose that’s only fair.”

Daryl Reeves, 16, junior, Brea-Olinda

“Dating someone of a different race is fine, but when married, a lot of conflicts can arise--how to raise the children, the observance of different holidays, social practices, religion, family, et cetera. Even a strong, devoted love may not be able to survive the strain.”

Anna Nordstrom, 15, sophomore, Brea-Olinda

“Being albino, I have always been the object of discrimination by students. If I were to discriminate, I would be discriminating against myself.”

Mike Feldmeier, 16, sophomore, Brea-Olinda

“I believe we’re all created equally. I think that if God didn’t want us to date other races, that he wouldn’t have created different colors.”

Julie West, 17, senior, Calvary Chapel

“Everyone should have an equal opportunity no matter what race, color or creed they are.”

Jay Jacinto, 14, freshman, Calvary Chapel

“I had an aunt who had three kids by a black convict, and her family totally rejected her because they were prejudiced. But I’m not. But I just think it’s wrong.”

Lisa Parker, 14, freshman, Calvary Chapel

“Just because they have a different color skin doesn’t mean they’re different.”

Ben Fields, 15, sophomore, Calvary Chapel

“I really think there’s no difference if you’re white or black or any other race--as long as you like the person, then date them.”

Jill Brewer, 17, senior, Calvary Chapel

“I have (dated someone of another race), but sometimes it was difficult because of culture differences. But we just had to be patient with each other and we both learned.”

Amber Johnson, 16, junior, Calvary Chapel

“Yeah (I would consider interracial marriage) because I’m not prejudiced and everyone is an individual and I like individuality.”

Velva Sanders, 18, senior, Calvary Chapel

“Yes (I would consider interracial marriage), although I’d have to admit that it would be difficult because of the criticism. If our love was strong enough, though, we could both overcome it.”

Wade Baker, 14, freshman, Calvary Chapel

“I would consider marrying a person of a different race, but I probably would not because I find my race more attractive. But then again, there are exceptions. Secondly, if I did marry someone of another race, it would upset my parents and grandparents because of my religion.”

Marc Havran, 14, freshman, Cypress

“I don’t find any problems with interracial dating and/or marriage. But it would put a lot of stress on the couple if one of them had a disapproving family.”

Amy Vaughn, 16, sophomore, Cypress

“There should be no reason why interracial dating or marriage should be a problem. If two people care about each other, nothing should stop them.”

Carl Nelson, 18, senior, Cypress

“I am ashamed that this question was ever asked. One shouldn’t choose who they date by their race. People are people no matter what race they are. Anyone who wouldn’t date someone because of their race shouldn’t live in a country where so many races exist.”

Nathan Jensen, 16, junior, Cypress

“(Interracial marriage) creates problems for the kids, and also it is morally wrong.”

Gary Kirpluck, 17, junior, Esperanza

“I personally haven’t (dated someone of another race), yet my sister has, and it didn’t work out.”

Alison Thuney, 18, senior, Esperanza

“You marry for love and not for anything else.”

Jennifer Farr, 17, senior, Esperanza

“My values are to stay with my own race and not only that, my family would be upset and wouldn’t accept it.”

Nattalie Park, 17, junior, Esperanza

“If we had the same values and were compatible, and if I loved him, then why not?”

Anne Marcelletta, 17, senior, Esperanza

“If there is mutual attraction, who cares what race they are?”

Vivian Jacobo, 15, sophomore, Estancia

“I don’t think race should be an issue in relationships.”

Kevin Keith, 18, senior, Estancia

“Why not get to know a person from another race?”

Grace Huang, 17, senior, Estancia

“I’m not against it, but putting yourself in an interracial marriage would be a difficult situation. My parents have had many obstacles to overcome.”

Laura Dardashti, 17, senior, Foothill

“Racism can’t stop love.”

Anne Mary Ordway, 16, junior, Foothill

“It may sound simplistic, but love is colorblind.”

Melissa Brooks, 15, freshman, Foothill

“If you love the person, it doesn’t matter.”

Karen Lin, 16, senior, Foothill

“Despite what people think, at this school there are so many different races that you never think about dating someone from another race. Frankly, I don’t think I’ve ever dated someone of my own race.”

Joey Lema, 16, junior, Foothill

“It’s everyone’s own decision what they do.”

Tara Schmidt, 15, freshman, Heritage

“I think it’s wrong.”

Melissa Williams, 18, senior, Heritage

“I don’t think it’s right.”

Jenny Wells, 14, freshman, Heritage

“I don’t believe in interracial dating because of the different backgrounds and life styles involved.”

Grace Adams, 14, freshman, Heritage

“I haven’t dated anyone of a different race, but I certainly don’t have anything against it. I would also consider marrying someone from a different race if I loved him.”

Stacey Denny, 16, junior, Laguna Beach

“I judge people by their inside, not their outside, so of course I agree with interracial dating. I have never dated anyone from another race but I would consider it.”

Bobby Nichols, 15, freshman, Laguna Beach

“I approve of interracial dating. I have never dated anyone from another race, but my best friend has and they have no trouble at all. I would also consider marrying someone from a different race if I loved him.”

Mia Marco, 16, junior, Laguna Beach

“I approve of interracial dating because it is a person’s inside that counts. I’ve never met anyone from a different race that I was interested in, though.”

Andrea Barman, 15, freshman, Laguna Beach

“My aunt has married someone from a different race, and it worked out fine. I would consider marrying someone if I loved him. I don’t care about a person’s outside.”

Jessica Camp, 15, sophomore, Laguna Beach

“Color of skin should have no effect on relationships whatsoever. If you are interested in someone, who cares what race they are? In fact, a lot of times I find guys of different races other than Caucasian more attractive.”

Christy Stoeckel, 17, senior, Laguna Hills

“Interracial dating is very acceptable. It is not a race that determines one’s feelings. That is merely the exterior. It is what is inside the heart that brings people together.”

Krista Wiekamp, 17, senior, Laguna Hills

“Diversity, culture and variation are the very elements that make this world so interesting and brilliant--just as colors do. However, these differences can be overlooked by one thing: All of us living on this planet are people. Yes, interracial dating is right.”

Orameh Bagheri, 15, junior, Laguna Hills

“Race or color doesn’t make one person better than another. Love and caring know no racial bounds.” Julian Kingston, 16, junior, Laguna Hills

“There is nothing wrong with interracial dating, and it should be treated as any other relationship would be. Although if it proves to be too much of a problem for anyone involved, it might be best to end it. I’ve never dated someone of another race, but that’s not to say that I wouldn’t.”

Jennifer Knigge, 17, senior, Lutheran

“I believe that true love is based upon what is in the heart, not what is on the outside or by the color of the skin. True love overlooks the somewhat socially rejectable binding. I would consider marrying someone of a different race if I believed it was both what God and I really wanted.”

Joanne Hemmings, 17, senior, Lutheran

“What is interracial dating? People are people.”

Hailey Buckel, 18, senior, Lutheran

“It doesn’t matter who you date. If God accepts it, we should be able to accept it, too. If two people really like each other, they shouldn’t be restrictive of their fondness of one another because of what other people think.”

Erika Sharp, 17, senior, Lutheran

“No, I haven’t had the chance (to date someone of another race). If I did, I would. It doesn’t matter what the person is like on the outside. The inside is what matters. The outside is only wrapping paper. The inside is the real presence.”

Kristie Yackle, 17, senior, Lutheran

“Today’s society has become less hesitant to discriminate against couples with mixed racial backgrounds. It depends upon the person and not his background.”

Heather Gallegos, 17, senior, Lutheran

“The idea of marriage depends on two things: the idea of if they are a Christian or not, and then the idea of if I love them or not. Marriage does not depend on race.”

Tim Odle, 17, senior, Lutheran

“I am Korean, and I have dated an American. It wasn’t that different from Oriental girls.”

Eugene Son, 14, freshman, Magnolia

“I don’t judge or choose my companions according to race. It’s not their skin or culture I’m dating, it’s the person inside.”

Jennifer Martin, 16, sophomore, Magnolia

“I am a white guy dating a Filipino girl who is 18. I think it enhances a relationship because if someone is of a different origin, it is interesting to know about their culture. I really enjoy going to her family gatherings because I learn so much about their race. I’m slowly learning Tagalog, the Filipino language. It’s really fun to know a whole new part of the world. I’ve really grown to love her.”

Jason Fox, 17, senior, Magnolia

“Race does not matter if the people care for one another. If it is what they want for themselves, that is all that matters.”

Rich Dekker, 16, junior, Magnolia

“I have never dated someone of another race, but I think it is up to the people involved. It should not matter if your mate or date is of another race. If you love or care for someone deeply enough, it should not matter because people are people no matter color.”

Kacey Nevans, 18, senior, Magnolia

“My parents want me to marry someone of the same race.”

Minh Thu Nguyen, 16, sophomore, Magnolia

“Yes, (I approve of interracial dating) mainly for the reason that the race wouldn’t matter as much as the person.”

Ion Ikemori, 17, senior, Marina

“I can’t see why people should not date interracially. Most kids from different races are basically compatible.”

Mike Yang, 14, sophomore, Marina

“I would consider (marrying someone of a different race) because I think it would be neat to be able to share our different cultures.”

Yuri Yamada, 17, senior, Marina

“I would consider (marrying someone of a different race) because it might stop people from being so prejudiced against other races.”

Jenny Henderson, 16, junior, Marina

“I don’t approve of interracial dating because I think marrying someone of a different race only adds to the identity problems of the children.”

Shelly Benson, 17, senior, Southern California Christian

“Many people think when they marry someone from a different background that they are not marrying their family, and that their love can conquer anything. This idea is a myth. Interracial marriage only adds to or even triples the problems of a couple.”

Kelly Sewell, 16, junior, Southern California Christian

“Interracial dating is morally OK, and I have to take my hat off to those who do date interracially because it takes a lot of courage and love to have a successful relationship, especially marriage, because of racists in our society.”

Charity Dailey, 16, junior, Southern California Christian

“Interracial dating is no different than dating someone of your own race. Color of skin should play no role in a relationship that is based on love and mutual friendship.”

Brandie Rodney, 16, junior, Southern California Christian

“Interracial dating is the same as dating someone of your own race. Many times, you don’t think about what race a person you are dating is. It really doesn’t matter.”

Pedro Pulido, 16, junior, Southern California Christian

“Racial backgrounds shouldn’t have an effect on the way two people feel about each other.”

Kim Palmer, 17, senior, Valencia

“People are people regardless of race or color. Let them do as they wish.”

Chad Maddox, 17, senior, Valencia

“We have friends who have married Caucasians and they have met with many problems in their marriages in regards to raising their children and also the differences between cultures. Many times the Oriental wives do not have any friends of their own race and basically assimilate into the lives of their husbands.”

Helen Chen, 17, senior, Valencia

“I would have no problem marrying her because she was of a different race. The race isn’t so important, but how you feel toward each other is.”

Chris Larson, 17, senior, Valencia

“It doesn’t offend me. I’m not in favor of it or against it. I don’t think color should be an issue one way or the other. It should be natural.”

Beth Krawczyk, 17, senior, Villa Park

“I do it. It’s OK. It’s a cultural experience.”

Carah Reed, 17, senior, Villa Park

“I don’t personally care. I’m unbiased.”

Heather Reneer, 17, senior, Villa Park

“I don’t care. In a couple of thousand years we will all be the same color anyway--green.”

Denise Iger, 17, senior, Villa Park

“It’s fine if they really like each other.”

Erica Bjorklund, 15, sophomore, Villa Park

“It doesn’t make a difference if you love someone.”

Carrie Whisenand, 15, sophomore, Western

“We are all human beings, created by God, and a person’s culture or color doesn’t matter.”

Kimberly Martindale, 15, sophomore, Western

“It shouldn’t make a difference if the person you like is from a different ethnic background.”

Simi Kaur, 15, sophomore, Western

“Who cares what race a person is if you like them, and they treat you right? They’re still people.”

Sherri Fugate, 15, sophomore, Western

“Everyone is the same no matter what color they are or what they look like. If you love someone, the race isn’t an issue.”

Melissa Garcie, 15, sophomore, Western

“Yes (I have dated someone of a different race) and it was really fun. I learned a lot about Filipino food, culture and many other things. Also, I don’t consider him another race, just another person.”

Roberta Flores, 16, junior, Western

“Yes (I have dated someone of a different race) and it was cool, but you have to take strange looks from some people.”

Lea Schmidt, 15, sophomore, Western

“Yes (I have dated someone of a different race) and I loved him, and it didn’t matter what race he was or the way people looked at us.”

Stephanie Dotson, 15, sophomore, Western

“Yes (I have dated someone of a different race) and it was very interesting. Even though we were from different races, we had a lot in common. The fact that we were a little different, however, made our relationship last.”

Lynn Au, 16, junior, Western

“No, I haven’t (dated someone of a different race) but I would. I don’t feel that the race of a person matters.”

Brent Haskell, 15, sophomore, Western

“What really matters is what you feel inside and not the color of a person’s skin.”

Michi Quick, 16, junior, Western

“When I get married, it will be to a man I really love because that’s what is important, not where he comes from.”

Ana Carrera, 15, sophomore, Western

“When I get married, it will be to someone I care about, not only because he is my race. I’ll marry who is right for me.”

Jennifer Gouge, 15, sophomore, Western

Next Week’s Hot Topic: What is your favorite food and why? Hot Topic responses gathered by Joanna Brooks, Angela Conner, Michelle Crane, Rachel De Velder, Cynthia Dewell, John Doney, Roxane Dyrud, Nicole Flint, Melanie Fowler, Jenny Kaplan, Lynda Kim, Stacey Kimsey, Kyra Kirkwood, Joo Young Lee, Stephan Lee, Heather Orey, Hai Pham, Jana Swail and Thoy Yann.

INTERRACIAL DATING POLL RESULTS

The Times asked Orange County high schools to poll their students on attitudes toward interracial relationships. Each of the 14 schools choosing to participate conducted its survey in a different manner. Because all 3,247 respondents did not answer all 3 questions, some totals do not match the figure in the “Number Polled” column. The Times does not claim these survey results to be scientific.

Students at 14 Orange County high schools were asked:

“Do you approve of interracial dating?”

Number School Polled Yes % No % Bethel Baptist 44 34 77 10 23 Brea-Olinda 673 562 91 55 9 Calvary Chapel 50 38 84 7 16 Cypress 500 442 88 58 12 Esperanza 100 75 81 17 19 Foothill 100 100 100 0 0 Heritage 5 1 20 4 80 Lutheran 405 363 91 36 9 Magnolia 50 49 98 1 2 Marina 20 20 100 0 0 Savanna 146 136 93 10 7 So. Calif. Christian 211 167 79 44 21 Valencia 743 706 95 37 5 Western 200 174 87 26 13

“Have you ever dated someone of another race?”

Number School Polled Yes % No % Bethel Baptist 44 16 36 28 64 Brea-Olinda 673 258 39 405 61 Calvary Chapel 50 30 60 20 40 Cypress 500 213 43 287 57 Esperanza 100 33 33 67 67 Foothill 100 38 38 62 62 Heritage 5 0 0 5 100 Lutheran 40596 26 275 74 Magnolia 50 30 60 20 40 Marina 20 14 70 6 30 Savanna 146 90 62 56 38 So. Calif. Christian 211 74 35 137 65 Valencia 743 387 52 356 48 Western 200 128 64 72 36

“Would you consider marrying someone of a different race?”

Number School Polled Yes % No % Bethel Baptist 44 30 68 14 32 Brea-Olinda 673 399 74 142 26 Calvary Chapel 50 40 80 10 20 Cypress 500 361 72 139 28 Esperanza 100 71 74 25 26 Foothill 100 70 80 18 20 Heritage 5 0 0 5 100 Lutheran 405 271 67 134 33 Magnolia 50 43 86 7 14 Marina 20 20 100 0 0 Savanna 146 115 79 31 21 So. Calif. Christian 211 135 64 76 36 Valencia 743 661 89 82 11 Western 200 142 71 58 29

DR, GABRIEL SALDIVAR