Chicago Teens Open Up About Race Stereotypes And Dating

Students from different racial and ethnic backgrounds may go to the same high school, but this doesn’t guarantee they won’t have stereotypes about one another. That became painfully clear a few months ago when a student at Chicago’s Lincoln Park High School made a video asking classmates what race they wouldn’t date and why. Most of the answers were offensive, with many kids laughing and talking comfortably about how people of other races smell — all of it right in the school hallways with other students watching. That video was made public and got a lot of attention. But it’s not an isolated incident. Curious City reporter Adriana Cardona-Maguigad and WBEZ education reporter Susie An teamed up to talk to Chicago area teens about race and relationships and what they think schools should be doing to help kids get beyond stereotypes.