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Anything wrong with calling interracial dating 'swirling'?

Posted by Ria, 16 Sep

Ever since the book Swirling: How to Date, Mate & Relate, Mixing Race, Culture and Creed came out I have come across a number of articles criticizing the book and the use of the term "swirling" in reference to interracial dating.

"I'm not sure who came up with the word 'swirling' but please, I implore you, stop using it," goes Yesha Callahan on Clutch Magazine. "Swirling reminds me of when people referred to it previously as 'Jungle Fever'. Just because you sweeten up the name doesn’t make it any better," she adds. One thing I gotta agree with her is that interracial dating is just dating. But according to Yesha, color obsessed individuals are the ones who feel the need to give interracial dating a "childish colloquial name".

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So I ask: Is there anything wrong with calling interracial dating "Swirling"? Does it really matter what one chooses to call interracial dating?

The thing is, when people come up with phrases like "chocolate in my crème", "swirling" … These are just but representations… Just the way one would react negatively to a cute interracial couple minding their own business is the same way one would react to interracial dating being referred to as Swirling. If someone somewhere felt it is like some "Dairy Queen soft serve" because the "Dairy Queen soft serve" combination is heavenly, why not let them enjoy licking their swirl?

I don't think obsession to color and interracial dating is what makes one say: I love my chocolate with some vanilla in it. These are just expressions. And if some people aren't comfortable with the use of the word swirling in this context, no one has shoved it down their throats. No one has said: "From this day forth, swirling replaces interracial dating. No one should use interracial dating".

Well, somewhere towards the end of the article, she figures it's none of her business saying: "Sure, if you want to call it 'swirling' because you think it's a cutesy word, go right ahead. But there are those who prefer simply call it what it is. Dating or a relationship." - My point exactly. Let those who are comfortable with swirling call it swirling. Let those who prefer interracial dating call it that too. Last time I checked, its a free world... free for all to express themselves however they feel fit!

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8 responses to "Anything wrong with calling interracial dating 'swirling'?"

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  1.   cubanguy25 says:
    Posted: 30 Sep 12

    I never comment on these articles, but this one compels me to. It really irks me when someone calls it some silly name like "swirling," it makes dating look like some cheap spectacle. Maybe people like to use these cute names, but its a big turnoff when someone says they want to make a swirl, not only making it seem like they are just doing something for the sake of being out of the ordinary (and enjoy calling attention to it) but I consider that word highly sexually suggestive and inappropriate in public talk and writing. Not that there's anything wrong with sexually suggestive language (there definitely a time and place for it), but if you are using it in public spaces like a profile or first meetup conversation amongst a blind dating group, don't get offended if the initial responses are sexually suggestive responses or creepy. It also make its seem like something temporary, would anyone not be offended if the book in the article were called "Experimenting: How to Date, Mate & Relate, Mixing Race, Culture and Creed." I think you have your answer. To me "swirling" is just as cheapening and insulting as calling it "experimenting."

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  2.   Gorgeousxoxo says:
    Posted: 28 Sep 12

    In my opinion no matter what race it should be just called dating x

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  3.   Ferguson50 says:
    Posted: 25 Sep 12

    Who cares what they call interracial dating. No one is the boss of me. People have been dating and marrying interacially since this country started. People need know their history before they try to crack a joke.

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  4.   jammyjam617 says:
    Posted: 25 Sep 12

    Hey call it whatever you like...because its not what they call you its what you respond to that matters.

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  5.   Lov3Lif3 says:
    Posted: 24 Sep 12

    Am I the only one who hears 'swirling' & thinks of 'swirly' ~ as in sticking someone's head in a toilet & flushing a la Middle School? So. No. I'm not for this phrase.

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  6.   NaijaBabe11 says:
    Posted: 21 Sep 12

    I would have to agree that this is a free world. People will do what they please despite those who are not so pleased with their decisions.

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  7.   Hershey672 says:
    Posted: 21 Sep 12

    Lighten up!!! I think it's hilarious. Calling interracial dating (and I am a full participant) 'swirling' made me laugh out loud! What's the problem? Lighten up and laugh a little!

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  8.   bigeyes31 says:
    Posted: 17 Sep 12

    I agree with Kesha callaha. If we as a culture want interracial dating among white men and black women to become more frequent and casual then we must stop singling it out and making it sound so strange by calling it"Jungle fever" and "swirling". I think "swirling" sounds derogatory and sexualized. It's just dating and we need to begin to change our speech, thinking and attitude about interracial dating if we want to change the fruition of the outcomes.

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