[Hyun-Soo]

I doubt you will have any problems.

The only racism I've seen is among older folks and in Georgia.
Alabama seems very friendly for some reason, more so than other Southern states

[southernerd]

Originally Posted by northernlady

hello all

I am new to posting here. I am having a medical procedure at the end of the month and am traveling to Dothan. I will be staying for four days. I was wondering if i will be safe as i am an African- American woman traveling with my daughter? I already tried to google Dothan ,but all the info was old.I did a search here and only came up with a post from last year. Hopefully someone here can help me with more info.

thanks

Yes, you'll be safe. Not only has Alabama advanced leaps and bounds since the civil rights era, but it has been profoundly shamed by it. If you get a testy reply for suggesting it might be dangerous for you to be black and travel through Alabama, it's because many of us feel like we're being made to pay for the sins of our grandfathers. There are pockets of racism here, as anywhere, but I think you'd find the vast majority of white Alabamians would jump at the chance to put the reputation for racism behind them and move on.

It's a lot like Naziism in modern Germany. They don't advocate it, they can't believe anyone ever advocated it, and if they hear about it one more time, they'll scream. Overt racism is not just out of style here - it's absolutely taboo.

[pvjd]

It is easy for a white person to say that racism soesn't exist, because white people don't experience racism or oppression. Dothan has some racists, but in all honesty I don't think you will be chased down or experience hostility. The typical racist will congregate with like minded people and complain, but it is simply inappropriate for them to act out on it because the non racists far outnumber the racists, and won't tolerate it. I live in Birmingham, where there is a bit of racism toward the hispanic population due to the growing number of Mexican residents, but I have never seen anything more than complaining, accompanied by the occasional racial slur. No overt hostility, because the non racists outnumber the racists and would not allow it.

[Bravo35223]

Thread # 587 where someone comes on to the Alabama site....asks about racism and never returns....

This forum is filled with trolls. I will believe sincerity on the part of individuals with 1 post when they come on here and actively engage.

[southernerd]

Originally Posted by pvjd

It is easy for a white person to say that racism soesn't exist, because white people don't experience racism or oppression.

But I can say that out of all the other white people I know, if any are racist, they would never dare say so. Perhaps if they had to choose between two job applicants, one white and one black but otherwise identical, they'd choose the white one - but more out of familiarity with white people than fear or hatred of black people. Still a problem, but a problem of a different order than the OP is thinking of.

Originally Posted by pvjd

I live in Birmingham, where there is a bit of racism toward the hispanic population due to the growing number of Mexican residents, but I have never seen anything more than complaining, accompanied by the occasional racial slur.

Oh, yeah. Maybe I should have said that black/white racism is taboo. But grousing about hispanics is a popular sport. Still no violence, though.

[sassyfur98]

OK, well, I don't know who is posting these replies, but I have a different take on things.
I do feel you will be safe. But the racism here is absolutely ridiculous. My husband has got into it many times with many people over this issue. We moved from Wi. where you really never had any race issues, to southern Alabama where it is rampant.
Maybe y'all dont have or see any issues because it doesnt concern you. My daughter who is just about 18 has dated a black guy for 3 years now. While they dont have issues with kids their age, the adults are terrible. And it is not just white racist against blacks, it is also blacks racist against whites.
It sickens and sadens me more than I will ever be able to convey. We need to come together, and stick together, regardless of the color of our skin!!!!!

[southernerd]

It may be a regional difference, or a city/country difference. My brother's wife is black, and they haven't had trouble from anyone. But who knows? Maybe it's only because he's white, rather than her. Also they live in Huntsville, which because of the military transplants, is more cosmopolitan than most places in Alabama.

I have to admit that although I never hear of any race based violence (or even rudeness) in Birmingham nowadays, black and white people are extremely self-segregated into different neighborhoods, churches, and so on. But is it any different in the OP's region of the country? In my experience, that's a nationwide phenomenon - and something that wouldn't be happening if black and white people were truly colorblind.

[marmac]

I also believe it is unfair to label people's opposition to illegals as racist

I find that tactic just as offensive as racism. (I am referring to the post by pjvd)

[pvjd]

I don't believe I mentioned anything regarding illegal immigrants, just the growing hispanic population. Many of them aren't illegal; there are businesses that sponsor them to come here and work because it is cheap labor. They provide housing and everything, and for someone with a family to support, is dirt poor, and lives in a country with an unstable economy, I don't blame them for wanting to come here to work. As far as whether or not it is racist, slandering a person's heritage or making fun of them has the same implication, whether somebody is a documented resident or not. Just like 9/11 sparked new prejudice against Arabs and muslims, it is all too common to here racial jokes, slurs, and complaints directed at Mexicans in general, not just the illegals. Does that mean that not liking illegals is racist--of course not. I would just ask myself why I feel such a need to be defensive and make it known that you aren't a racist. If you say you aren't, I won't try to tell you different.

[FlourChild]

Originally Posted by pvjd

It is easy for a white person to say that racism soesn't exist, because white people don't experience racism or oppression. Dothan has some racists, but in all honesty I don't think you will be chased down or experience hostility. The typical racist will congregate with like minded people and complain, but it is simply inappropriate for them to act out on it because the non racists far outnumber the racists, and won't tolerate it. I live in Birmingham, where there is a bit of racism toward the hispanic population due to the growing number of Mexican residents, but I have never seen anything more than complaining, accompanied by the occasional racial slur. No overt hostility, because the non racists outnumber the racists and would not allow it.

Anybody who thinks white people "don't experience racism" needs to spend some time in Albany, Georgia. That assertion (that only whites are racist) is utter BS. The fact is, whoever is in the majority--and by that I mean the majority in the ROOM, the town, whatever--often tends to exert power and be racist. Period.