‘Grown-ish’ Tackles Obstacles Black Women Face While Dating + Interracial Relationships

The episode opens up with Zoey having a monologue about how her generation is open to interracial relationships.

“It’s like we have an open door policy. That’s right – in our world, anybody can get it.” – Zoey

She goes on to say that interracial relationships will become even more popular and change the dynamic totally of the population.

“We mix things up so much that in 40 years, we will have this planet looking like a bunch of Jesse Williams.” – Zoe y

But she details that this isn’t good news for everybody. In fact, some groups struggle. Including Asian men and black women. Two groups that are considered very undesirable on dating sites like OK Cupid and Tinder.

As this is said, the camera pans to a group of black women at a party, including the twins, watch an attractive young black man walk though the party with a white girl.

“Ain’t this is a b*tch?” – Jazz

The twins vent.

At the same party, Jazz asks the group if there is “something in the water around here” when she spots another black male with a white female.

She then brings up the fact that she’s seeing so many black men on campus date white women.

Luca jokingly suggests that recent photos of Wendy Williams in a swimsuit may be the cause.

“I’m starting to think this sh*t is a problem.” – Jazz

“Oh, come on. It’s probably just a slow night.” – Ana

“Yeah, no. It’s a slow semester.” – Jazz

“Facts. In high school, dudes were always checkin for us.” – Sky

Yea, but didn’t you go to like South Central High? I’m just saying that we’re at a primarily white institution. There’s a much smaller pool of black guys here.” – Vivek

Jazz then says that’s true but things are worse with some being gay and most athletes preferring white women.

Nomi then asks if the twins haven’t been getting action in the last six months. They deny this but a flashback from last Saturday shows they were at a mall restaurant together bored but enjoying the food.

After more comments on the food from Luca, Nomi asks the twins why they don’t consider dating outside their race.

“I mean, college is the place to open up and explore.” – Nomi

Sky then says that she doesn’t feel they should have to change their dating habits.

“I like what I like.” – Sky

Aaron then says he feels the same way.

“I mean, I’m all about black girls.” – Aaron

He says he “just could never imagine not dating a queen.”

Luca challenges this and accuses Aaron of only dating biracial women.

“I know you love queens…when they’re Egyptian, not Nubian.” – Luca

They then flashback to Aaron’s old Instagram posts of past flames. All of his exes are mixed with curly hair.

“You definitely have a type.” – Vivek

Aaron denies being colorstruck.

“No, dead a*s, all your girls look like clones. Sh*t is weird.” – Luca

Luca then says his goodbyes as he leaves the party, and Aaron screams out that he’s not colorstruck and all his exes just happen to have mixed parents and long, curly har.

“Oh my God, am I colorstruck?” – Aaron

Sky says that when they look around on campus, it feels like she and Jazz are on the bottom of the list.

“There’s no list.” – Ana

“There’s absolutely a list!” – Sky and Jazz

Zoey decides to take a break from romance and focus on her career aspirations.

She’s putting in serous work for her fashion collection/project with Luca. As Luca watches on her play around with pockets, he laughs when she suggests they sew inspirational quotes inside the pockets.

Zoey tells him she appreciates how he was understanding during her breakup with Cash. He doesn’t think it was a big deal.

“It’s part of your journey. I mean, everybody has one like that braided belt you keep trying to make work.” – Luca

She then takes a look at her belt and says she thought he liked it.

“How could you think that? I mean, seriously, I don’t know what I’m giving off for you to think I like that belt. I might be sending the complete wrong signal to people and I don’t even know.” – Luca

Zoey then reminds him to focus back on their collection. However, he suggests they go see “Black Panther” instead. She gives in.

Back at the party, the group is still discussing “the list.”

They all are that white girls are on the top of the list followed by the exotic chicks who are always being asked what they are mixed with.

“Yeah, your Karrueches, your Chrissy Teigens and your Cassies.” – Sky

Ana asks were the Latinas are on the list and she s told that she and JLo “are way up there.”

Aaron gets annoyed and calls the list BS.

“This list that you’re talking about does not speak for everyone.” – Aaron

“I’d like to argue that pop culture says otherwise.” – Jazz

Viewers are then shown photos of different black celebrity men with non-black significant others. This includes Omari Hardwick, Kobe Bryant, Lil Wayne, Big Sean and Dr. Dre.

“I mean, what kind of message do you think that’s sending?” – Jazz

“The message is we’re not it.” – Sky

“You are for me, black women are at the top of my list.” – Vivek

Vivek scores some points with the twins. Just then, a black guy walks up to the table and speaks. But he immediately asks Ana if she wants to “Telemundo and chill.”

Jazz shoots her an “I told you so” look.

Ana says she didn’t put herself on the list.

“No, but your hips, your lips and your a*s did. Everybody’s always checking for the girl who looks black, but no one wants the girl who actually is.” – Jazz

“Which is why everyone’s suddenly getting lip injections and a*s shots.” – Sky

“And wearing cornrows and rocking Timbs.” – Jazz

Nomi questions if the twins have ever asked black guys why they date out. They say no and they don’t plan to because they will get labeled as the problem if they do.

Zoey is still having a night out on the town with Luca.

After they watched “Black Panther,” they went to the skate park and grocery store. They then egged the store.

Luca hops back in the car and suggests they go the zoo. Zoey reminds him that they need to work on their project but he says gong to all these places gives him the inspiration he needs to work.

“You’re not gonna get inspiration from sitting inside a classroom. You’ll get it from going outside and living.” – Luca

Zoey reluctantly gives in to the trip to the zoo.

They head to San Diego.

The group discusses stereotypes. 

The stereotypes of black women having bad attitudes becomes the topic of conversation for the group. This happens after Jazz tells the bartender to take her drink back because it “tasted funny.”

Nomi points out that she does this often so maybe black guys feel like she is too difficult. But Sky reminds her that she sends drinks back all the time too.

However, that’s the difference. White women don’t have to worry about stereotypes.

And as Jazz mentions, everything Nomi does is just a representation of herself, not all white women. Black women don’t have that luxury.

Meanwhile, Aaron is at the bar. He meets a female student who happens to be dark skinned. Her name is Shukura and she tells him she’s from Cameroon.

Noms argues that she has to deal with stereotypes too. But the twins tell her that her stereotypes aren’t as hurtful and they won’t stop someone from dating her.

Zoey and Luca make progress on their project. 

When Luca and Zoey return to campus to work on their project, she discovers Luca trashed the collection she was working on.

“It was garbage.” – Luca

Zoey is convinced they are going to fail the class.

Luca says he doesn’t want to turn anything in that he isn’t feeling.

She looks at the fabrics he’s chosen to use and thinks they are ugly.

“I know, that’s why it’s fire.” – Luca

He explains that making something undesirable fashionable is always his goal.

Luca feels that true art needs to be real.

“The realness always needs to bleed through everything.” – Luca

They start working on the new collection.

Aaron brings Shukura to the group and introduces everyone. He tells them she is from Cameroon. She corrects him and says she grew up in Denver.

“Where’s Luca? Because he needs to see this.” – Aaron

He wants to take a picture with Shukura and makes sure it gets sent to Luca.

“He’s kidding, right?” – Sky

Jazz and Sky clash.

Later on at the party, Sky catches Jazz talking to a white guy.

She pulls her to the side and calls her out about this.

Jazz tells her nobody cares when black guys date white girls, so she doesn’t see the problem. But Sky hints their father won’t be happy about this.

Things get tense.

“If you have a problem with this, you can go kick rocks.” – Jazz

Sky is angered by the conversation and confronts the black guy she saw with a white girl (played by Diggy Simmons).

She asks him why he dates white girls. He is startled by the question and answers, “Because I can.” She storms off.

Luca and Zoey wrap up their collection. Everything ended up coming together and the duo loves the finished project.

She is surprised that Luca was right. He’s even managed to make her braided belt work…on him.

Zoey tells him that every time she thinks she has something figured out, he shows her another way.

“I think we have something here.” – Zoey

“We definitely have something here.” – Luca

After the party, Sky and Jazz talk it out.

Sky apologizes for being so harsh towards Jazz. She tells her she supports her in whoever she chooses to date.

Jazz says she just wants to have the same college experience as Ana and Noms. Sky explains that she didn’t know things would be so different there. And they would have just went to Howard or Clark if they were just looking for guys.

“This is one experience – a jacked up one, but it’s only one. Don’t let it define us.” – Sky

They hug it out.

On campus, they run into the black guy from the party who was with the white girl. He explains that he spends time with all kinds of women because he’s just open-minded to the new world the school provides. But he doesn’t want them to think he’s not into black women because he is.

“Everybody’s so open, so I figured I’d do the same.” – Doug

Jazz agrees and says it’s not so bad to open up.

He introduces himself to them as Doug. He begins to flirt with Jazz. Sky notices this and leaves them alone to keep talking.

What are your thoughts on the episode?