Bigger Than Black & White

by Carol Taylor

What negative perceptions have you heard about black men and women?

“I’ve heard countless ‘men ain’t no good stories.’ One reason I feel black men are scared of commitment is because they never learned how to love a woman. A lot of men and women are raised in broken homes, and these become our examples of what a relationship is.”

–MICHAEL, 44, Black, single

“I’ve heard black women are bitter and disappointed because they’ve met a brother who’s not stepping up. Meanwhile Black men whine about the struggle of the black man and bring the fight back home, resentful if you’re successful and feeling as if you have to be submissive so they can be the king somewhere.”

–SOLI, 46, Biracial, recently single

“I’ve heard that black men are no good and all black women care about is money. I’ve found that some black women are lost or just looking out for the money. But some of that comes from the type of women I’ve been dating.”

–PETER, 44, Black, divorced

“I’ve heard from black men I’ve dated that black women are ‘tough’. But I’ve found that some of those men, didn’t want to work at the relationship or in general.”

–ELLA, 38, White, single