tell your parents not to be so judgemental about a persons skin color and that any man that treats you right and acceptable should be acceptable to them. Do they not trust you to pick the right guy?
You're right, they don't have to know, but I don't like keeping secrets from my parents and if they find out, they aren't going to support me anymore and I can't support myself yet. I don't have a job yet.
If you are 26 you do not need their approval. If they do not approve and there is no valid reason for that then it is time to become independent enough to move out.
...or...you could just be quiet about it for now and see if that guy is even around in 6 months...I wouldn't alienate friends I do have for some brief romance, which is most likely what this is. You also need to think about who the advice is coming from...and if it really seems to be in your best interests.