What the hell does not finding black women attractive have to do with racism? This has nothing to do with what's "considered" beautiful, as if beauty is something to be considered logically. A lot of white people just don't find black people attractive. What, do you want white men to date black women they find unattractive out of fairness? That's just condescending, it doesn't do anybody's self esteem any good.
The OK Cupid article displays righteous indignation for no good reason, and I'm disappointed that the articles critiquing it still seem to accept this basic premise.
There was a lot of debate on this surrounding the original OKCupid blog post.
In summary, it is subconciously racism. I may not find people of a certain race attractive. However, let's say that I become good friends with some people of that race. Then, I will see that they are like me, and I will start to find some people of that race attractive too. (Of course there are exceptions, but this is how it generally works.)
Things like this happen outside of race as well -- people who have gay friends are drastically more likely to support gay marriage. Why? Because they realize that gays are like them and that the stereotypes just aren't true.
I think it is wrong to call this racism. Even subconcious racism.
If it is a lack of interaction it is simply that. :)
On the other hand I think attraction is in two forms; physical and mental attraction. Your talking about the latter but the former is clearly important too.
Genetic physical characteristics are an aspect of this, sure, but I dont think it's racism. I find certain bulgarian (random example) women unattractive because of their genetic characteristics too :)
> people who have gay friends are drastically more likely to support gay marriage
As it happens I have don't think I have gay friends (not for any particular reason) and I fully support gay marriage. :) But I take your point there - and I think it is far more applicable than the first one you made.
(disclaimer: I am an advocate of the idea that the constant use of the term racism when not applied to actual, evil, racism is damaging. And that the best medicine for the whole sorry mess is to no longer worry about it and ostracize elements of society that do)
> I may not find people of a certain race attractive. However, let's say that I become good friends with some people of that race. Then, I will see that they are like me, and I will start to find some people of that race attractive too.
Yeah, happened to me. Doesn't affect my opinion. Racism, subconscious or not, as a concept that's relevant to me anyway, implies judging people's character for reasons other than their merits. Judging attractiveness doesn't really have to do with judging character. Attractiveness is an automatic response, and a lot of it has to do with looks, which is one of the few places I would say race is quite relevant. (for an amusing example, I know an Asian girl who isn't into Asian guys)
Attraction can be influenced by getting to know people, and I wouldn't discourage it, it makes for a less divided society and perhaps less disgruntled black women and all that. That's fine. But I shouldn't feel like I'm doing anything wrong, whatsoever, for choosing to stick with what my preferences are right now. It makes me mad that OK Cupid tries to make me feel guilty about it. And it scares me to think that this righteous tide is going to start making people decide to date people they don't really want to date. That sort of thing is personal and sacred, and should stay clear of any politics.
EDIT: I should add this nuance. I can see the argument of wanting to encourage people to get to know each other. But supposing you do that, and you still don't find those women attractive? Then you're not "guilty" of not trying, and I think that this article makes the presumption of that guilt.
let's say that I become good friends with some people of that race. Then, I will see that they are like me, and I will start to find some people of that race attractive too.
You suggest that the primary reason you wouldn't be attracted to someone of a race is because you aren't "good friends" with anyone of that race. In my experience, that is false. For example, I know quite a few Asian girls who prefer dating white guys over Asian guys -- would you suggest they "aren't good friends" with any Asians, or that they are subconsciously racist toward Asians?
Different people have different preferences for what they are attracted to; in many cases, those preferences will be correlated with race (e.g. if a girl likes tall men with dark features and olive skin, she is less likely to fall for a 5'5" Norwegian). That's not racism, that's just human nature.
The OK Cupid article displays righteous indignation for no good reason, and I'm disappointed that the articles critiquing it still seem to accept this basic premise.