Posted: Fri 03 Feb 2006 18:36 Post subject: Sanaa Lathan interv. on interracial dating movie & real life
Sanaa Lathan tries ‘Something New’
Actress faces questions about interracial dating in new film, real life
Updated: 2:41 p.m. ET Feb. 2, 2006
NEW YORK - Let Go, Let Flow. That's the theme of the romantic comedy "Something New," starring Sanaa Lathan as an affluent black woman who falls in love with her white landscaper. And in many ways that's the theme of Lathan's personal love life as well. The 34-year-old beauty, who is currently single, spoke to The Associated Press about interracial dating on screen and in real life.
AP: Why did you decide to take this role?
Lathan: It was a good script. I could read it in one sitting which is very telling. And I identify with this character and I know that this is a character we haven't really seen on screen before. We have not seen an interracial issue dealt with from a black woman and white man's perspective in this way. And, usually, it's a black man, white woman. I loved the fact that it wasn't about the couple being against the world or the couple against the family. I loved the fact that it was her dealing with her own prejudices that came up, her own guilt, her own shame and embarrassment about what her peers thought.
AP: Have you been involved in an interracial relationship?
Lathan: I've been in a couple with different races like Latino, white, Middle Eastern.
AP: Did you find any major differences between the cultures?
Lathan: Yeeesss, there is. There really is a difference. But you know what? Everybody is different. I can think of three black men I've dated and they couldn't be more different from each other.
AP: How does your family or friends react when you date someone who is different from you?
Lathan: People are going to always have their opinions whether you date a black man or not. I've had girlfriends, family members comment on black men that I've dated as well as white people. People want to see what they want to see. And if anybody doesn't fit that picture they're going to be like, 'Yeah, I didn't see you with him.' I remember after I dated this white man, nobody said anything but there was a couple of men in my family that joked after that. 'Oh yeah, we had a party when y'all broke up. Hee hee hee.' And, you know, they laughed, and it was like light and a joke. But, you know, that's real. That was real and they let me know. And, it's almost acceptable within our culture to be prejudiced toward whites because of our history. This country is loaded with racism ...
Like the guy I was dating. White, liberal, educated. I went to meet his family and I think that they probably didn't know they had a problem with it until he walked in with me. And they definitely had issues. Mom had issues with it. Could not, didn't want to see her son. And I don't think she had anything against me. But it was about her son bringing me home. And I felt that for the first time. I was like, 'Wow, that's deep.' It's really simple: I don't fit their picture. And then there was moments with him where like we would be in Harlem. There would be five brothers in the corner, and this is an awful feeling but you're holding his hand and you want to pull your hand away cause you don't want the judgment. And you're gonna get the judgment even if it's just in looks. And the black men are the worst when it comes to judging.
AP: Do you think interracial dating is on the rise for black women, particularly black professional women?
Lathan: I think that has to be, it has to happen, if we don't want to be alone. Because you know the inspiration for this movie was this Newsweek article that came out a couple of years ago that talks about 42.4 percent of black women in America aren't married. Black women are shooting up the corporate ladder way faster than our black male counterparts. And (black men) are either dating outside their race, in jail or dying. And so if you want to have a family, you want to be married, you have to look at other options.
AP: Do you think it's more acceptable for black men to date outside their race?
Lathan: I don't know if it's more acceptable or if black men are more comfortable. Black men certainly are more comfortable with it. I don't know that society, like white society loves it or black women. When you see a black man with a white woman there is a feeling that you have and I think the feeling is an instinctual feeling of you want her you don't want me. I don't look anything like her, so you don't like. You know what I mean? Something like that. It's a real instinctual primal thing. But then you think about it, you should love who you love.
AP: Let talk about that. In the movie, there's this whole thing about IBM...
Lathan: Yes, Ideal Black Man.
AP: And there is a list of qualifications, what type of job, how much money he makes, what kind of car he drives. How does this relate to your personal life?
Lathan: My characteristics aren't as specific. I'm more general. I'm more like, I have to be able to talk to him. You know, we have to have good communications. He has to be interested in the world. You know what I mean. Like interested in learning and adventurous and curious, 'cause that's what I am. He has to be passionate about something. And it would be nice if he had a job. It's not like he has to have an MBA.
AP: There was an article in Vibe which mentioned rumors about you and Denzel Washington. Some people read your quote and said you didn't deny the rumors.
Lathan: I did deny it.
AP: Are you officially on record saying you deny the rumors about your relationship with Denzel?
Lathan: I am officially on record denying the rumors.
AP: In portraying Kenya McQueen, is there anything new you discovered about interracial dating?
Lathan: Absolutely. I think I'm definitely more open. You know the thing is I wouldn't have said I was closed before, but like, it's the kind of thing that you don't even think of other options. I've been dating black men for really, for like, I don't know, 10 years. You know, I haven't really dated outside of that. Now I think I'm probably am more open to the idea.
AP: What are some things people can take away from this movie?
Lathan: I think it's very universal in that, first of all, it's a love story at the core. It's really about following your heart. It's about, you know, that life may bring you something that didn't fit what you thought. That could be anything from religion to class to even like a job. It doesn't necessarily have to be love but it's just about opening up and saying yes. Stepping outside of that comfort zone. Seeing what's there that might bring you your highest happiness.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
I think that has to be, it has to happen, if we don't want to be alone. Because you know the inspiration for this movie was this Newsweek article that came out a couple of years ago that talks about 42.4 percent of black women in America aren't married. Black women are shooting up the corporate ladder way faster than our black male counterparts. And (black men) are either dating outside their race, in jail or dying. And so if you want to have a family, you want to be married, you have to look at other options.
I think that has to be, it has to happen, if we don't want to be alone. Because you know the inspiration for this movie was this Newsweek article that came out a couple of years ago that talks about 42.4 percent of black women in America aren't married. Black women are shooting up the corporate ladder way faster than our black male counterparts. And (black men) are either dating outside their race, in jail or dying. And so if you want to have a family, you want to be married, you have to look at other options.
Damn.
lol, I personally think there is more than just saying dating outside their race, jail or dying. Is the reason there is a supposed lack. I don't believe it personally.
Now in her situation she is actaully going to be able to meet way more 'black' men than she can handle who are successful. Weither they be producers, directors, politicians, actors or musicians. All her equal or beyond.
she is actually going to be able to meet way more 'black' men than she can handle who are successful. Whether they be producers, directors, politicians, actors or musicians. All her equal or beyond.
That may well be true for any given individual, but statistically speaking, Black women achieve more, earn more, and are financially more successful than Black men, in comparison. See the statistical tables in Andrew Hacker, Two Nations: Black and White, Separate, Hostile, Unequal (New York: Ballantine, 1995).
she is actually going to be able to meet way more 'black' men than she can handle who are successful. Whether they be producers, directors, politicians, actors or musicians. All her equal or beyond.
That may well be true for any given individual, but statistically speaking, Black women achieve more, earn more, and are financially more successful than Black men, in comparison. See the statistical tables in Andrew Hacker, Two Nations: Black and White, Separate, Hostile, Unequal (New York: Ballantine, 1995).
I wasn't disagree with that particular statement. I agree with that part. I was dealing with particular fields. Such as entertainment, more specifically for Sanaa, there will be much more men of color who are successful. Actually doesn't those stats kinda reverse in that area? 'Black' men are much more successful that the women. Sports is another arena...
Joined: 15 Oct 2005 {Posts: 76 } Location: Chicago, IL
Posted: Tue 14 Feb 2006 08:15 Post subject:
Quote:
Now in her situation she is actaully going to be able to meet way more 'black' men than she can handle who are successful. Weither they be producers, directors, politicians, actors or musicians. All her equal or beyond.
That's assuming Sanaa would want to date a fellow entertainer. I know many actors, musicians, and other entertainers who make it a point to avoid dating other people in the biz. It's often an ego competition, especially when you get to the Hollywood level and one is more successful than the other, for example, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe.
Now in her situation she is actaully going to be able to meet way more 'black' men than she can handle who are successful. Weither they be producers, directors, politicians, actors or musicians. All her equal or beyond.
That's assuming Sanaa would want to date a fellow entertainer. I know many actors, musicians, and other entertainers who make it a point to avoid dating other people in the biz. It's often an ego competition, especially when you get to the Hollywood level and one is more successful than the other, for example, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe.
That's true, Emp.Cupcake...
I thought the same, that's why I said producers, directors, polititians musicians as well because being known like that opens doors for you to meet so many other people, that may not be directly connected to 'Hollywood' we can add athletes, friends of friends who are actors/actresses etc
You think that is why Reese & Ryan broke up? I think that is why Bobby abuses his relationship with Whitney too... but I guess it depends. Look at Will(actor) & Jada(actress, rock band), Tamia(singer) & Grant Hill(basketballer)
Joined: 15 Oct 2005 {Posts: 76 } Location: Chicago, IL
Posted: Tue 14 Feb 2006 21:18 Post subject:
Quote:
You think that is why Reese & Ryan broke up?
I think they're still married but I know they have had extensive marriage counselling and his career (or lack thereof) was a major sticking point. I think with Ryan, Reese's meteoric rise was really painful because that seemed to be when his star was falling. He was in-demand no more than three or four years ago and now it's like, "Ryan who? OH! Reese's husband!"
Quote:
I think that is why Bobby abuses his relationship with Whitney too... but I guess it depends. Look at Will(actor)& Jada(actress, rock band), Tamia(singer) & Grant Hill(basketballer)
I feel the same way about Bobby and Whitney. It definitely depends on how secure each party in the relationship is, which is necessary in any relationship. The difference with Will & Jada and Tamia & Grant as opposed to Reese & Ryan is that the former two couples had different levels of fame when they started dating. Reese & Ryan were at the same level but then she advanced and he didn't.
Joined: 09 Nov 2006 {Posts: 7 } Location: MEMPHIS, TN
Posted: Sun 14 Jan 2007 04:55 Post subject:
[quote="gemini072"][quote="MivharMeni"]
Quote:
I think that has to be, it has to happen, if we don't want to be alone. Because you know the inspiration for this movie was this Newsweek article that came out a couple of years ago that talks about 42.4 percent of black women in America aren't married. Black women are shooting up the corporate ladder way faster than our black male counterparts. And (black men) are either dating outside their race, in jail or dying. And so if you want to have a family, you want to be married, you have to look at other options.
Now these stats may be true. But what I've experienced as an African-American woman (brown-skinned) is that I was never sought after by black guys in high school. I didn't really start dating till college and that's where I was approached by guys. My first love was a black guy, but he had the player mentality and didn't want one girlfriend. There was one guy that I dated and was ready for something serious and he was black..but my boyfriend of five years has been white. It's not that I have to choose a white man because all the brothers are "missing" from society but I chose him out of love. Another thing is that growing up the black girls were never sought after by black guys..we were the last resort...it's good to know that I am desired by someone and I am complimented on my skin tone rather than being teased for it.
My philosophy is to each his/her own.
Fact----Black people have long accepted Black men marrying white women or other women outside of their ethnic group. Hell, even Frederick Douglas was married to a white women. No Harriet Tubman looking gal for him.Blacks have long not accpeted Black women marrying white men or others. Now,with so many Black men in Hollywood and the entertainment business, big named athletes, business men, normal highly eduicated working guys marrying"other", many well -to -do Black , educated women, working professional Black women, do not have male counterparts. White guys and other non-Black men are an option. Some Black women are looking at other options. I think if the choice is being an old and lonely lady, marrying beneath your station in life,or looking for an equal man who is not Black, then take choice number three. Many Black women do stay with Black men and find partners beneath their social-economic-educational status so the ycan say they are with a Black guy. To each his/her own.
This movie , SOMETING NEW, is running this month on HBO and it is making that point. It is an okay movie. Entertaining.
Joined: 05 Apr 2006 {Posts: 300 } Location: Chatsworth, CA
Posted: Tue 13 Mar 2007 19:06 Post subject:
Douglas' first wife was a free black woman, his second a white woman. Douglas himself was biracial, w/ a white biological father and a black slave mother.
I don't know how black identified Americans of the era reacted to Douglas' second marriage. The only part of the issue we discussed in US history class was the opposition to the marriage by a number of white abolitionists.
You know , I liked that movie. I thought is okay. Entertaining. Some points were sterotypical. A good point was that not all Black families are not jumping for joy when their child is involved with a White person. Misconception is that Blacks are more readily accepting and in real life, that is not so for every family.
I enjoyed the movie. Its interesting to note that the actor who played Sanaa Lathan's character's love interest was an Australian actor and not an American white actor.
Just a generalized observation but, foreign white men do not exhibit as much ethnic and colorism hangups in regards to relationbships between Black identified women and white men.
I'm Asian-American and my husband is from Ireland. I remember a neighbor of ours a 2nd or 3rd generation Irish-American senior citizen had a foreign student staying with her. This student was ethnically Black and from Guyana. My husband stated that she was a very sexy girl.
I agreed with him. I noted that she had a nice figure, was dark brown and wore her hair in a short cropped Afro similar to the model Roshumba.
She also had this adventuresome personality. She had traveled to Europe and enjoyed staying at hostels and penpal's homes. She had also done volunteer work somewhere in Africa (I don't remember what country.)
My African-American friend who had the same complexion as this young lady, experienced discrimination from lighter skinned Black identified classmates during her elementary school days that she ended up choosing to develop friendships with the nonblack kids moreso.
Joined: 07 Feb 2007 {Posts: 1828 } Location: Lookin DC Metro, Feelin Geneva
Posted: Sun 18 Mar 2007 21:43 Post subject:
odocoileus wrote:
I agree. I see European guys having a lot fewer hangups about being involved with women of African ancestry than white identified American guys do.
It's hard to imagine an American sports star as big as Boris Becker marrying a woman of (partial) African descent.
I think there is a lot of cultural distance.
I could see an American white star marrying an African women before I can see them marrying an African American woman. I honestly believe most African American women will intimidate white American men, my experience with African women (and some black Carribeans) is they are less aggressive.
I believe, on average, men like to feel masculine and part of that has to do with their relationship to their woman. Black men constantly say (this is a stereotype) that white women are more feminine and docile than black American women.
White men often say Asian women are more feminine and docile than white American women.
I actually believe on average this is true.
It is not shocking that many white men do not date women they feel will immasculate them.
I don't think these are "in-born" racial differences, but I think they are cultural.
My wife is Asian, and in Japan I have met men who say she is basically 'a Tom Boy" or acts agressive...because she refused to speak with a higher pitch when talking to men and she majored in engineering instead of something "womanly"...however to me she is extremely feminine compared to...the typical white or black American woman I am used to.
It all depends on cultural reference.
I think African American women (on average) are more masculine and agressive because they have to be. It is a little hard to act all femine and girlish when you have 1 or more kids in a household you lead, because you have no man, and you have to struggle by yourself. I think many times black women want to be "strong" so as not be seen as someone to be taken advantage of, especially by men and also due to their race. This often comes out in being domineering, agressive, bosey, loud, etc.
I think this stereotype is embedded in the minds of white American men, that black women are difficult to "deal with", more so than white women, but a lot of white men feel white women are difficult enough to deal with in 2007.
Black men are used to dealing with black women...white men are generally not. Asian men, definately not.
I think this is not true when speaking about a black woman from Ethiopia or Sierre Leon, etc.
I sincerely believe in to each his/her own. I believe in just being sincere and for people not to knock others choices and any ethnic group, including your own. I sincerely have no problems with anyone marrying whoever from whatever ethnic group or even same sex. I really do not care. I know what man (ethnic ) I will marry. I know Creole people who look and pass for White and have married White. I know Creole people who have married with Creole people. I know Creole people who have married Black. Whatever one's choice is has nothing to do with me or my choice.
I am NOT flaming Dragon. He said these are stereotypes.
No one ever says, when discussing the Black women stereotype, the other side, about White men and Black men. I will say it later to make a point. I DO NOT believe in the old stereotypes about how Black men find Black women agressive, less docile, less feminine, less sexually fun, old and settled in their old ways, interested in nothing new culturally, hang ups, just bitchin bitches, lacking happiness and smiles, etc. Everything negetive against Black women has been said by Black men in these stereotypes. It is a true insult against Black women and when one who is Black says or thinks this, then I always say, what about their moms and female relatives.
Okay, the stereotypical flipside that can be said by Black women, Asian women, and Hispanic women.
White men are more loving, kind, patient, compliementary, goal seekers, sexually patient, and are better providers.
White guys do not talk to you harshly or hassel you about things. What woman of any ethnic group does not like to be spoiled sometimes. White men make you feel like a woman. Pretty. Worthy. Strong. Happy.
Sterotypes are bad for everyone. I KNOW I am not in the stereotype you described. I know all Black men and all White men do not all fit those stereotypes. You have good and bad in all sexes and all ethnic groups.
Everyone read this article in you get a chance.
Ebony Mag., April 2007, Harry Belafonte is on the cover, article Is There A Shortage of Black Men, Or Are Women Just Too Picky?, essay on page 74 by Sabrina Lamb, counterpoint essay on page 75 by Barry Jewels. I have to disgree with both authors. It is not a left/right either/or thing. There is a grey area. I DEFINITELY fit in the grey area.
Joined: 07 Feb 2007 {Posts: 1828 } Location: Lookin DC Metro, Feelin Geneva
Posted: Mon 19 Mar 2007 10:33 Post subject:
Creole GAL wrote:
Everyone read this article in you get a chance.
Ebony Mag., April 2007, Harry Belafonte is on the cover, article Is There A Shortage of Black Men, Or Are Women Just Too Picky?, essay on page 74 by Sabrina Lamb, counterpoint essay on page 75 by Barry Jewels. I have to disgree with both authors. It is not a left/right either/or thing. There is a grey area. I DEFINITELY fit in the grey area.
No in reality there is a shortage of marriagable black men.
It is simple. Black men die earlier, black men are much more likely to be in prison than black women. Then I also believe there are more self identified gay black men then their are lesbians. That is in the hood, but in the middle class areas there are more educated black women than men. Women tend to not want to marry down (no matter what race they are).
Add all that up, as I said in NYC and some other major cities there are just more black women on the street of marriagable age then black men. If these black women are not dating out for whatever reason then so it is pretty simple math. There are a much higher % of black women who will not ever marry and if they do they have to "take someone else's man" or "wait for a black man to get divorced"...
Joined: 07 Feb 2007 {Posts: 1828 } Location: Lookin DC Metro, Feelin Geneva
Posted: Mon 19 Mar 2007 12:19 Post subject:
fwsweet wrote:
Dragon Horse wrote:
there is a shortage of marriagable black men. It is simple. Black men die earlier, black men are much more likely to be in prison than black women.
And. of course, Black men out-marry at twice the rate of Black women--always have.
'
This is also true, but being that the outmarriage rate for black americans is quite low, I think the fact millions of black men are tied up in the American justice system or die in midlife is the more pressing issue.
I would say that the outmarriage thing effect middle and upperclass black women the most, not poor ones.
Men will "marry down" but only so much on average. What you see is the more wealthy the black man the more likely he is to marry out, because the more likely he is to come into contact with non-black women on a regular basis.
Being that their are significantly less educated/employed black males than women...even if all black men wanted to marry a black woman there would be a shortage.
So gay upperclasses of black men, or black men marrying out really kills the ratio.
'
FAQ
Search
Register
Log in
