There are about 1.2 million mixed race couples in the U.S., with 57 percent of teenagers reporting that they have dated someone outside their race, Jones said.
Opponents and proponents of interracial dating were equally represented at the meeting, with several students claiming they would only date members of the same race.
"You need to preserve your heritage ... you need to preserve your culture," one student said. Many had a similar sentiment, saying interracial dating is a corruption of culture.
Some students at the forum said their parents would disown them if they dated outside their race. Others disagreed, saying they had had meaningful interracial relationships.
"Nothing is going to change if we keep thinking inside this box," said one female. "I don't want my kids to have to wait until college to see that."
Jones, a black man, heartily agreed with those students who approved of interracial dating. He said students should not worry what "the rest of the world thinks" about their decision to date outside their race
Jones said he has dated white, black, Asian and Hispanic women and found them all to have "their quirks." Jones said it is permissible to have a racial preference, as long as people do not discount all others.
"If you prefer a big booty that's fine," Jones said. "I just think people should marry who they want to marry."
McCallie said moderators such as Jones help guide discussion and keep students focused.
"We have moderators because they provide a little bit of structure to the conversation," McCallie said.
The interracial dating discussion was the most popular of the R.E.A.L. Conversation series yet, with almost twice as many students attending Monday night's program compared to other events.
"It's a pretty controversial subject," McCallie said. "It's an issue that a lot of students ... have a lot to say about."
As Cook continues to deal with the bias that accompanies an interracial relationship, she said she is happy to have a place where she can discuss it openly with her peers.
"It was really good to ask myself questions that other people brought up," Cook said. "It made my own opinion about my relationship clearer."
Opponents and proponents of interracial dating were equally represented at the meeting, with several students claiming they would only date members of the same race.
"You need to preserve your heritage ... you need to preserve your culture," one student said. Many had a similar sentiment, saying interracial dating is a corruption of culture.
Some students at the forum said their parents would disown them if they dated outside their race. Others disagreed, saying they had had meaningful interracial relationships.
"Nothing is going to change if we keep thinking inside this box," said one female. "I don't want my kids to have to wait until college to see that."
Jones, a black man, heartily agreed with those students who approved of interracial dating. He said students should not worry what "the rest of the world thinks" about their decision to date outside their race
Jones said he has dated white, black, Asian and Hispanic women and found them all to have "their quirks." Jones said it is permissible to have a racial preference, as long as people do not discount all others.
"If you prefer a big booty that's fine," Jones said. "I just think people should marry who they want to marry."
McCallie said moderators such as Jones help guide discussion and keep students focused.
"We have moderators because they provide a little bit of structure to the conversation," McCallie said.
The interracial dating discussion was the most popular of the R.E.A.L. Conversation series yet, with almost twice as many students attending Monday night's program compared to other events.
"It's a pretty controversial subject," McCallie said. "It's an issue that a lot of students ... have a lot to say about."
As Cook continues to deal with the bias that accompanies an interracial relationship, she said she is happy to have a place where she can discuss it openly with her peers.
"It was really good to ask myself questions that other people brought up," Cook said. "It made my own opinion about my relationship clearer."
