Journal 6: It's Complicated / The Color of Love

Choose one of the following two options:


A) It's Complicated

Facebook, eHarmony, Foursquare, and other social media sites, have revolutionized the ways in which people, particularly those under 30, approach dating.  In this new world of high-tech dating, emoticons, relationships statuses, user profiles, friend requests, and tagged photos, have dramatically altered the rules of engagement. Today, people have far more available information about potential mates than at any time in the past. For example, consider how common the practice of Googling someone is these days. But new technology also means new rules. Just what are the spoken and unspoken rules of dating in the Facebook age? What are some of the potential pitfalls of dating through technology? And what must you contend with that perhaps older generations did not?

Include at least one of the following pieces in your discussion:

• "Facebooking for Love, Part 1—Jasmine's Tech Dos & Don'ts" (CNET)
• "5 Ways Facebook Changed Dating (For the Worse)" (Mashable.com)
• "New Dating Websites Find Niches" (Crain's New York Business)
• "Teen Serves Time for Facebook Threat" (NBC Chicago)

Articles are located in the eR.


B. The Color of Love

While President Obama is often lauded as our first black president, he might more accurately be identified as our first biracial president. His white mother and black father were together at a time when such relationships were discouraged by American society. But what was taboo then is increasingly more commonplace today. In fact, recent census date continues to illustrate surges in the number of interracial marriages and relationships. But while their numbers are on the rise, it would be disingenuous to imply that mixed-race relationships today do not face hardships. What issues arise from interracial relationships in 2010 America? What challenges do couples engaged in these relationships face? For example, do racial stereotypes and myths persist? On a personal level, what is your experience with interracial relationships?

Include at least one of the following pieces in your discussion:

• "Asian Pop: Opening the Box" (San Francisco Chronicle)
• "Black Men in Interracial Relationships" (The Washington Post)
• "White Male Seeking Sexy Asian Women" (Salon.com)
• "Diff'rent Strokes" (The Village Voice)

Articles are located in the eR.

Due: Tuesday, Nov. 9th