Chrystelyn D. Karazin Discusses How ‘Swirling’ Can Help those in Interracial Relationships

(yes; I know they spelled my name wrong)

Cupid’s Pulse

By Daniela Agurcia

These days, maintaining a healthy and long term relationship is tough work. Not only is it hard to stay committed for a long time, but it’s also difficult to overcome the criticisms from the world around you. Now, imagine being in a relationship with someone of a different race. Even though we’d like to think our society is wholeheartedly accepting of interracial relationships – we know it isn’t always that simple. We had the chance to interview one of the authors, Chrystelyn D. Karazin, of Swirling, a book about interracial relationships and what to expect once you are in one. Swirling isn’t only insightful, but it is a guidebook on how to approach various situations you will find yourself in when involved with someone of a different race. Swirling is an honest book that many people can find comfort in.

What triggered you to write ‘Swirling’ ?

It really boiled down to the experiences that I had in my life. I didn’t think that they could be so unique that other women weren’t going through this too. I wondered if other people were also worried about meeting their partner’s parents for the first time in an interracial relationship or even being stared at. There was just nothing out there about this, and I’ve always wanted to be the type of person to share my experiences. I wanted it to be the ‘what to expect when expecting’ but for “swirling” couples, people who were engaging in interracial relationships for the first time. I wanted them to have a guidebook, something they could go back to and reference about certain things as well as to read other people’s stories. Sometimes when you’re in a relationship where the person is from a different culture, race, or religion you can feel isolated. I think it’s natural to look for resources that will shed light on what other people have gone through in a similar situation.

Related: 5 Don’t Tips For Interracial Dating

Do you think that ‘Swirling’ is just what society needs in this day in age?

Yes, I do. Just look at the data.  Interracial relationships are the highest they’ve been in American history. The world is changing. While studies are showing that people are more amenable to interracial relationships, it’s still rather new. You have people who have been raised in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s who would’ve never dreamed of dating outside their race. And now you have the situation with social networking where you’re able to connect with someone from the UK, and you can fall in love with them and get married. You have these situations, which make the world smaller and facilitate those connections that may never have been there before.

My mother-in-law had never associated with a black person before. She grew up in Manhattan in the late 1940s. There’s a funny story in the book of how her and my father-in-law went to the south for a little while and she had to wash her clothes at the laundry mat. Outside it said, “colors only.” And she asked, “Where do I wash my colored clothes?” And they told her, “lady that’s for colored folks.” She didn’t know. She was raised completely colorblind. It was a new experience. She had always been around a very homogenous society, so when her son brought me home, it was something that she had to get used to. But, she went out and bought books on interracial relationships. She was really worried for her son. She thought that it would make his life super hard.

What would you say is the most important advice that your book offers for those who are struggling in this type of relationship?

The first and main thing is that you have to choose character above color. Once you do that, you’re able to field out a whole bunch of people who wouldn’t be good for you. Second thing is, don’t let race be the complete center of every conversation that you have. Race shouldn’t be something you concentrate on the first or second date. You need to get to know each other. You need to leave your racial baggage at the door. Unless your date is 150 years old, they have nothing to do with racial issues of the past. Third thing is, that you have to be prepared. People are going to scrutinize your relationship, be curious, fascinated, or envious. They’re going to ask questions, and you have to be prepared for it. You have to sort of look at it with humor, not necessarily that they’re trying to be malicious. If you’re always looking for negativity, you will find it. The key is to always focus on you and your mate and not to focus on other people. You have to let it be about you guys. Because people read your body language. If they feel that you are insecure about the other person, they’ll sense that something isn’t right.

For the rest of the interview, click HERE.