A crowd of more than 50 people voiced views on interracial relationships at an open panel discussion Monday evening at the Holmes Student Center.

Eight NIU students of varying ethnic backgrounds were members of the panel which spoke out about personal experiences in dating someone of another race. The panel was coordinated by the Student Association Minority Relations Committee.

“I developed a sensitivity to other cultures,” Melissa Dessert, an NIU graduate student, said.

Others said they felt their sense of identity was lost when they were involved in interracial relationships.

Several panelists said it was important for the Black-American culture to remain vital and that interracial marriages contribute to the disintegration of the black family.

Panelists seemed to agree that “love has no color,” but, in turn, argued “when you mix races you pull up roots.”

A child from a mixed marriage will grow up asking the question “Who am I?” panelist Nolan Hendreson said.

“If we want to desegregate ourselves we must start from the inside,” panelist Victor Caranza said.

All the panelists said that their parents supported their happiness but not their involvement with a person of another race.

“Our parents come from a time when black men were hung for whistling at a white woman on the street,” Hendreson said.