<p>In school, I learned about the hair differences watching my African American room mate fix her hair every night. This was the first time I had a black room mate, although I had lived in diverse college suites before. I am grateful for it as I got to be part of her world and see it through her eyes. I was one of the few Jewish girls in our school and we did share our perspectives. She was a very quiet and private person, but we did bond and I considered her to be a close friend. We have lost touch now, but she would be one of the first people I would look for at a reunion.</p>
<p>Eh, I grew up overseas and two of my best friends were black. A majority of my friends I made in college thus far are mexican or middle-eastern. I don’t have any problems with that. </p>
<p>It’d be more of a problem for me to have a roommate who is messy rather than someone who has a different religion or political perspective. I’m a pretty tolerant person being mixed myself (asian & white).</p>
<p>I understand him…it can get weird especially if the “other” room mate isn’t open minded. But you’ll know when you meet.</p>
<p>Haha, not all white gals wash their hair every day or every week. Depends on hair texture.</p>
<p>I worked on a project that brought me into contact with the housing folks, this summer. I was surprised that only about 60% of the matches (computerized) are made based on shared “interests.” And, similar culture or background didn’t play at all. IIRC, higher priorities were more problematic differences- noise, mess, sleep patterns, etc.</p>
<p>Many people have never been around people of different races on a regular basis. The fact that they would worry about it does not make them a racist.</p>
<p>it is perfectly reasonable if you dont want to room with someone because of their race</p>
<p>if this is considered racist then most of the united states is racist by choosing to live in areas that are made up of mostly their own race</p>
<p>My guy is black. Im ****ed.</p>
<p>Jk im officially hood now!</p>
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<p>I didn’t realize we were in the 1950’s. That was my bad.</p>
<p>o come on now </p>
<p>im not saying it will be a disaster if he doesnt change roommates in fact it may work out swell but there is a better chance that with a roommate of the same race his situation will be favorable</p>
<p>most people would be guilty of preferring to live with people of their own race its just how people are and the evidence for it is strong</p>
<p>
Perfectly reasonable? No, I don’t believe it’s perfectly reasonable at all. Like others have stated on this thread, it’s understandable (if not completely rational) why the OP would have a few concerns about living with someone of a different race–something I’m sure he’s never come close to doing before. But it’s not “reasonable” to not want to room with someone just because their skin is a different color than yours before you’ve even met them or knowing anything about them. THAT would be bigoted and close-minded, and it’s disturbing to me that you think it would be perfectly acceptable to judge someone solely on the color of their skin without having even taken the chance to get to know them.</p>
<p>No that’s not perfectly reasonable. That’s racist. Judging that you don’t want to live with someone solely because of their race is, by definition, racist.</p>
<p>I am black and my white roommate is white. We don’t see color, we just see friendship. We actually requested each other after talking to each other on facebook for a little while. I’m from a very diverse military background and she’s from the whitest town in Wisconsin (I visited her. Very little diversity). </p>
<p>I think you just have to get past race and see people…when I look at her I don’t see a non-black girl. I just see another freshman that I can laugh and bond with and share secrets with. </p>
<p>I love my roommate … and exposing her to the world of black hair xD</p>
<p>Most in the US are not very bright either and rely on emotions and the TV to form their opinions, so I don’t know if that’s the standard you want to be measured by. As with the gay roommate thread, it’s getting ridiculous and mostly do to someone jumping to the OP’s defense, taking the opportunity to expound on their own segregationist leanings, rather than the OP itself.</p>
<p>OP, I’m not really saying you brought this on to yourself, but many posts about race or homosexuality will devolve into arguments like this, because people have their own opinions. For every person who’ll support you, there’ll be someone who’ll attack you or might be outraged by what you say. Not saying you’re racist, but people will interpret it that way if you make a thread entitled “Interracial Roommates” and then say that you might be uncomfortable living with people of different races.</p>
<p>Anyway, as I said before, play it by year. Give them a chance and make every effort to get along with them. You don’t have to be best friends (or even friends, for that matter) with your roommates, but it’s important to get along, share space, know how to live together.</p>
<p>But yeah, I agree with steellord321, this thread is getting ridiculous, and just IMO seems like the same people like JeSuis and romanigypsyeyes (who also dominated the gay roommate thread) seem to be getting all butthurt about things, but they are making a point.</p>
<p>I’ve never called the OP racist. My only contribution was that the statement by Mike is the very definition of racism.</p>
<p>white, blacks, asians etc in general have different cultural values and priorities thats just a fact
therefore he would be more likely to connect with a roommate of the same race than one of a different race</p>
<p>furthermore time and time again people prefer to associate with those of their own race<br>
its just how the world works
it is politically incorrect but many facts are</p>
<p>^^ True, but unfortunately we can’t fix stupid. :D</p>
<p>Let’s ignore the “racial stereotyping isn’t racism” posts. Glide right past them. </p>
<p>And, “race” is now a disputed term. The genetic differences among what we perceive as different races are considered quite small, compared with differences within any one of those categories.</p>
<p>I suspect OP, in his flusterment, threw out the race issue without thinking it through. I think my concern is he/she is about to start college without this self-check skill.</p>
<p>Mike’s experiences are very limited. To the point of trollish. You know the saying, “Don’t feed the ■■■■■.” Or next, he’ll be telling us why northerners and southerners shouldn’t mix, that kids from Alaska all snowshoe to school and so on. Ignore.</p>
<p>untrue looking forward
the evidence is very strong that not only are the races distinct but also that they are unequal in ability</p>
<p>but that is a discussion for another day and not college confidential</p>
<p>@UNCmarissa “I am black and my white roommate is white.” - What other color could your White roommate have been?</p>
<p>Lol i’m kidding with you.</p>