Bogota Odee/ Are the women biased about men of color?

Doc, I asked the question over a week ago and you posted that you would answer the question in the General Topics section.
I posted that my best friend is Eastern Indian. As looks go, women gravitate to him as if he was a handsome movie star. I also have buddies who are Russian, who want to travel in an eight man group to Bogota.
I look forward to your input on this. They are members of this forum but don't post.
Take care, Santa

Santa,

You're right, I've been very slow to respond to you, and I apologize. I was in Bogota last weekend, and as always happens whenever I go on vacation, my job punished me for having a good time when I got back. :-(

I've talked to William and Angela about your question, and they tell me that they've had black (African-American) clients who have married ODEE members, so that should be somewhat reassuring, as the women weren't black themselves. I've also met another member of the gringo board who is part African-American himself, and I know he has had friendly relationships with colombianas too. So whatever prejudice there is doesn't preclude the possibility that good things can happen, although I understand your friend is Asian rather than African.

Does that mean there's no prejudice at all in Colombia? Of course not. But is it worth your friend's time? I think so. Perhaps some of the other gringos on the board who are of African or Asian ancestry could comment on their experiences with prejudice in Colombia, or the relative lack thereof.

(Now here comes the shameless shilling--everybody duck!) There are a couple of options he could consider. First, we have a free registration for men; they send in a .jpf or .gif file with an electronic pic. Second, he could test the waters by buying some addresses and writing to the women. Angela confirms that the woman's address is current and that she's still looking before sending out an address.

A couple of final thoughts [the shilling is over... it's safe again ] Colombia is a multiracial society, if you think about it, with several major ethnic groups: descendants of the pre-Columbian people, descendants of Europeans, especially Spaniards, descendants of Africans, and people with mixed ancestry. The two women I've known best are both of mixed ancestry, and one of them was quite adamant that she was mestizo rather than Indian, although relatively few of her ancestors were European. My novia is also mestizo, as, according to encyclopedias, etc., are the majority of Colombians.

I'd be interested in the comments of others. This might be a good time for Father Tim to weigh in.

doc

Odee(Doc), Thanks for your reply. Your answer is more than enough to assuage me to join my buddies in Bogota from Cartagena. Your free registration feature is truly a bonus.
I'm aware of the racial composition of Colombian cities. I rely on your experience & espertise on the emotional content, i.e., prejudices, likes, dislikes and points of interest concerning Bogota. This is why I asked you.
I know you have the pulse-beat of Bogota as Mr. LAI (Nelson).
Looking at your site this morning http:www.odee.com , your apartment feature is a plus. What length of time would you recommend for a group of first timers
( a week, 10-days) in Bogota?
Thanks again Doc!
Take care, Santa

Santa,

You're gonna get me in trouble around here with the flattery and the link! I'm a shameless shill, but no money has exchanged hands with Santa, guys!

When you go to Colombia, one thing to keep in mind is that the country has lots of long weekends--what my novia calls a puente. Whenever you go, you may want to arrange it so that there's a national holiday on a Monday so the women don't have to go to work, and can spend time with you. We timed our group tour so that it falls on a puente. I understand that lots of gringos like to go on a US holiday, but remember: just because you've got a holiday doesn't mean she does.

As for what the length of a trip should be, I don't think there's a single right answer. It's up to the individual gringo. How long can you afford to be away from work? How long can you stand living out of a suitcase? What days are the cheapest to fly?

Finally, I think it's wise to make more than one trip, so you can see what happens after you've both had some time to think about it.

[Father Timothy]

Bless you my sons, bless you. I penned what I thought was a brilliant reply, then I heard an explosion and the power shut down. So my first reply was lost. I wonder if St. Thomas Aquinas had similar experiences when he created the Summa Theologica ? Bless you my sons, bless you.

The question for this post is "Are women biased about men of color?" My response to this is "yes they are".

Some non-negro women prefer negro men and some don't. And some negro women prefer white men and some don't. And some negro women prefer negro men and some don't. And this same criteria can be applied to all races and colors. Some asian women prefer non-asian men and some don't .... . and on and on and on.

Racism and prejudice exist everywhere in the world.

But the boundaries of color and other differences are neutralized and eliminated by the deepness of love and commitment.

How profound.

An example of extreme racism would be belonging to a hate group. But the insecurity of the person asking this question "Are women biased about men of color?" is an example of racism of a more hidden (yet real) nature.

No my sons my original reply that got lost in the power outage explained some things about the culture of Colombia and how it is more tolerant of racial commingling based on it's economy, logistics, and history. http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2000/col...essays/garces/

But remember even if you find this Colombiana who appeals to you and is not prejudice (or at least claims she's not) you'll be living with her in the U.S. or wherever, but not in Colombia, correct ?

So you have to ask yourself how tolerant is my culture going to be of me and my new wife who is of a different race or color. I am unfamiliar of the CURRENT tolerance level in the U.S. But there is probably better tolerance and acceptance in more liberal areas of the country (San Francisco) than in less liberal areas (Jackson, Mississippi).

Finally I think all women have at least one common denominator which is to find security. This applies to all women in the world. This explains why Colombian women are seeking relationships with foreign men. If you provide her with security the color of your skin will be less important.

You will find "privileged" Colombian women who may be prejudice against negro men and therefore not interested in them. The women in this class have very set criteria which may have been influenced by their upbringing.

Bless you my sons, bless you. Pray for peace in Colombia.

Another excellent post from our spiritual leader.

Father Timothy, thanks for the insightful and informative post. Your post indicates that Colombia is definitely a 'class society'.
The drug war, I think, Father Timothy, is a waste of time. For someone, who has never touched drugs or alcohol, I think decriminalizing, legalizing will instantly take the power from the drug lords.
How then will they (drug lords, mini-militias) pay for their arms?
The United States is the chief enabler of the drug problem.
Father Timothy what happens when legalization occurs? Colombia is then forced to deal with the real issue that you posted. The class war.
Bless you Father Timothy.
Take care, Santa

[Chao]

Father Timothy,

Someday, when the time is right, I will reveal the Tao of Chao.

Chao

Good post Father.

When I was in Colombia a few woman told me they prefer white gringos. I asked them why and they really had no answer.

I've seen some very stunning mix(black,spanish) woman in Colombia. An old veteran friend of mine told me if you hook up with a light skin "black" colombiana just be sure to always carry a feather in your back pocket.

Pray for Colombia