The BluePrint. (None) 2013-????, February 28, 2014, Image 7
Despite popular belief, lower
classmen aren’t the only ones
caught up in the “cupcake” stage of
a relationship this time of the year.
As a junior in my own “Spelhouse”
relationship, I should know! With
so many students in the Atlanta
University Center that embrace
Valentine’s Day with their significant
others, I had to rise to the occasion
and find out how other successful,
long-term relationships in the AUC
have been able to prevail through the
good and bad times. And what better
way to reveal the truth and beauty of a
relationship than to ask actual couples
who have conquered many obstacles,
respectively: racial differences,
physical separation, and the transition
into marriage. For students who are
searching for Mr./Mrs.Right, get your
pens and paper ready!
Paris Clark and Matthew Reed
Anniversary: April 22, 2012
Paris s classification/major:
Junior, Psychology Major with a
Writing minor at Spelman College,
Atlanta, GA
Matthew’s classification/major: Junior,
Political Science at Morehouse College,
Atlanta, GA1) How have you both
been able to maintain a long-term
relationship in the AUC?
a. Paris: “I think respect, trust, and
communication are important.
Respecting one another’s personal
space is also crucial in regards to
boundaries. Also, anytime we have
a problem we give each other some
space to cool off before we talk
about the issue.”
2) As an interracial couple, have
you received any negative criticism
towards your relationship? If so, what
reactions have you encountered?
a. Matthew: “For the most part,
we aren’t confronted with any
backlash. Flowever, there have been
times when we’re out in public and
get certain looks from strangers.
We’re able to notice when people
are looking at us because of our
relationship, but we just brush it
off.”
3) In what ways do you overcome
racial stereotypes against interracial
couples (i.e. jungle fever)?
a. Matthew: “I don’t pay attention to
any of it. You have to be confident
because people are going to think
and say whatever they want. It’s all
about having thick skin.”
b. Paris: “Yea, I agree. When my
friends ask me about how the
relationship started, I just tell them
that it simply ‘just happened’”.
It’s one of those things that are
hard to explain to others since the
connection was just present.
4) What general advice do you have
for Spelman and Morehouse students
who seek the infamous Spelhouse
relationship?
a. Paris: “People should just be
patient and try not to search for a
relationship. Matt literally walked
through the door and things began
to fall into place.”
b. Matthew: “At the time, I wasn’t
looking for a relationship. I was
The BluePrint
SpelmanPaper@gmail.com Feb/March 2014