Young African American Family relocating (Phoenix, Tucson: salary, work, new home)

[MotleyCrew]

Ditto for Peoria. We are becoming more and more diverse up here and we all seem to be very happy in our new homes. I think the poster must have found herself in a little community of "stupid" and if she were to relocate, may find herself happier. Original poster, please come and see for yourself.

[annibelle]

See what I told you. Just as soon a I made the post, someone would try to discount what "my" personal experiences have been here in Arizona for 1. 5 years. Did I say that reverse racism doesn't exist anywhere in the world? NO. I'm sure it does. All I'm saying is what my experience (and what many other blacks who have come to Arizona) say it's like here. It's funny how offended people become when they cannot accept what someone has experienced. By the way, the church I attend is predominantly white. The church members are kind, but most have moved here recently from other places within the last 4 years. Also, my husband is WHITE. He even notices the racism because he grew up in Cali. We've been married for almost 13 years too. Also, this blog isn't about reverse discrimination in the south. It's about what ARIZONA is like for black people. How would a white person from Arizona know what it's like for blacks who move here? Let's listen to the response to this blog and watch the excuses flow. I guess the person who is really pissed off is embarrassed that where they come from or what I said about Arizona is true. Must of hit a nerve. Anyway, take my continued advice and don't move here. You can tell by that response from the blogger that is really "pissed off" that what I'm saying has a strong ring of truth to it. It's amazing how that person can deny what someone else experienced. Amazing!

[annibelle]

As for the nice comments, I do not believe all people here are unkind. I have very nice neighbors. They are white and Hispanic. It's just so stressful for so many people of color that I do know here. When you talk to so many people and they have such similar experiences, who feel like, well this must be how it is. My children never had these negative comments or being excluded by children when we lived elsewhere. Of course, I should ignore the blogger who is "pissed off". But how can I? I think he's right when he says that I should just move. Yes. Black people moving here should just move because how can we just get over the ignorance of the people like the "pissed off" blogger? My children (who of course I want to protect for as long as I can) have to deal with racism at such an early age that it's too hard to just "get over" it. I wonder how he would feel if this reverse discrimination happened to his children? He really has proven my point.

[xwideopenskyx]

Originally Posted by annibelle

See what I told you. Just as soon a I made the post, someone would try to discount what "my" personal experiences have been here in Arizona for 1. 5 years. Did I say that reverse racism doesn't exist anywhere in the world? NO. I'm sure it does. All I'm saying is what my experience (and what many other blacks who have come to Arizona) say it's like here. It's funny how offended people become when they cannot accept what someone has experienced. By the way, the church I attend is predominantly white. The church members are kind, but most have moved here recently from other places within the last 4 years. Also, my husband is WHITE. He even notices the racism because he grew up in Cali. We've been married for almost 13 years too. Also, this blog isn't about reverse discrimination in the south. It's about what ARIZONA is like for black people. How would a white person from Arizona know what it's like for blacks who move here? Let's listen to the response to this blog and watch the excuses flow. I guess the person who is really pissed off is embarrassed that where they come from or what I said about Arizona is true. Must of hit a nerve. Anyway, take my continued advice and don't move here. You can tell by that response from the blogger that is really "pissed off" that what I'm saying has a strong ring of truth to it. It's amazing how that person can deny what someone else experienced. Amazing!

Your experiences should not be discounted. Only you walk in your own shoes. That being said, I'm sure African Americans have many issues living in AZ. Racism aside, considering that is still going on all over US, in some places more than others. Lets focus on the culture - there is no African American culture in AZ that I know of. Phoenix has 5.1% and Tucson has 4.3% of African American population. Lake Havasu City doesn't even list a percentage. Those are extremely low percentages.

To the original poster, if your culture and being surrounded by your own kind is important to you than AZ is not the place for you. If it isn't, than AZ is a great place to live. In my opinion, Phoenix area would probably be the best choice. The range of opportunities would be the best.

[annibelle]

Also, I never said that I came to Arizona or expected to be surrounded by my own kind. If I married a white man and regularly attend a predominantly white church, how am I looking to be "surrounded" by African-Americans? Where we moved from in Cali was predominantly white. Still, it had more diversity (Hispanics, Asian, you name it.) Where we lived on the east coast was also predominantly white.Still, diverse. Because of how many different places I've lived over the years, I can consider myself to be a well traveled person. I know people. The point is we never experienced this much racism (especially toward our children who were not prepared to deal with it at such a young age) until coming to ARIZONA. I believe that I did mention before how great the opportunities are by how comfortably we live as far as buying things (a big house) and a good job. What I am saying is that it doesn't replace social isolation by those who are prejudiced which seems to be more people than I realized from talking to other blacks. It's not just socially isolating because there is no black nucleus. Not having places to eat soul food or get your hair done is just a fact. I lived plenty of places like that before. What I'm trying to explain to the person who asked what it's like to live here in ARIZONA is that too often, too many people will socially isolate you (and your family) due to racism. Yes, I know. It's everywhere, but if that's the only excuse or comeback folks here have to explain for the unacceptable atmosphere here toward blacks, then it only proves my point again. The blogger who is questioning whether or not their family should move here will understand very clearly what I'm saying much more than those who blog with excuses. Or he'll just do what most blacks do. Move here and then leave. But please, for heaven's sake stop with the excuses and reasons for why I don't like it here when I keep meeting people who say the same thing. All we ever wanted was to live the "American Dream". Living the American dream doesn't just include the house and job, it means being accepted or judged by your character, not by your race. To the original blogger, I feel that they'd base not just "great opportunities" as a reason to move somewhere, but also it has to be a good and socially acceptable place for their children to blossom and be accepted. This is why I blogged here to begin with. No one wants their children to be mistreated unfairly or have to put up with such social ills. Again for that reason, so many blacks leave. I'm sure after this post we'll hear again how racism is everywhere.

[BurtsBees]

Originally Posted by annibelle

Also, I never said that I came to Arizona or expected to be surrounded by my own kind. If I married a white man and regularly attend a predominantly white church, how am I looking to be "surrounded" by African-Americans? Where we moved from in Cali was predominantly white. Still, it had more diversity (Hispanics, Asian, you name it.) Where we lived on the east coast was also predominantly white.Still, diverse. Because of how many different places I've lived over the years, I can consider myself to be a well traveled person. I know people. The point is we never experienced this much racism (especially toward our children who were not prepared to deal with it at such a young age) until coming to ARIZONA. I believe that I did mention before how great the opportunities are by how comfortably we live as far as buying things (a big house) and a good job. What I am saying is that it doesn't replace social isolation by those who are prejudiced which seems to be more people than I realized from talking to other blacks. It's not just socially isolating because there is no black nucleus. Not having places to eat soul food or get your hair done is just a fact. I lived plenty of places like that before. What I'm trying to explain to the person who asked what it's like to live here in ARIZONA is that too often, too many people will socially isolate you (and your family) due to racism. Yes, I know. It's everywhere, but if that's the only excuse or comeback folks here have to explain for the unacceptable atmosphere here toward blacks, then it only proves my point again. The blogger who is questioning whether or not their family should move here will understand very clearly what I'm saying much more than those who blog with excuses. Or he'll just do what most blacks do. Move here and then leave. But please, for heaven's sake stop with the excuses and reasons for why I don't like it here when I keep meeting people who say the same thing. All we ever wanted was to live the "American Dream". Living the American dream doesn't just include the house and job, it means being accepted or judged by your character, not by your race. To the original blogger, I feel that they'd base not just "great opportunities" as a reason to move somewhere, but also it has to be a good and socially acceptable place for their children to blossom and be accepted. This is why I blogged here to begin with. No one wants their children to be mistreated unfairly or have to put up with such social ills. Again for that reason, so many blacks leave. I'm sure after this post we'll hear again how racism is everywhere.

I treat everyone for who they are, not based on their race, etc. But I still have had people call me racist and accuse me of using racial bias. I guess its the nature of working Loss Prevention in a retail store, but it does get very annoying. Ive been called every white slur in the book when I treat people equally and give them no reason for it in the first place, but the blacks continue to think I singled them out. Can't really single you out when its a prodominantly black customer base. Does it honestly bother me when they accuse me of it? Sure it does. Do the insults bother me? Pfft. Once I'm out of work, who cares. Act like everyone else, fit in and you're just another average citizen instead of "that person".

[xwideopenskyx]

I just noticed that this thread was originally started on 6/24/07, DRT2002 is probably long gone by now.

[annibelle]

Originally Posted by xwideopenskyx

I just noticed that this thread was originally started on 6/24/07, DRT2002 is probably long gone by now.

You're probably right. Still, lots of people read blogs. I'm sure they'll take notice and maybe think things through more if they're like me. I'm not trying to offend anyone with my personal experiences. It seems like some people don't want to know and don't want me to continue to share my experiences. I can accept that. Please understand that some people do or at least someone did and unless you are African-American in Arizona, you really couldn't answer the original bloggers question as well as someone like me could. Seems like many of you want to defend Arizona or your race. That's fine. I understand. But if you've never been prejudiced or you're not the type of person I'm describing who makes Arizona a sad place for some people to live, you shouldn't feel obligated to explain anything. I would never feel obligated to explain why some blacks in Mississippi (from the "pissed off" blogger) treated him that way. I would never excuse the behavior he received either. I would not turn a white person's reverse discrimination experience around and make it out to be his fault or claim he just doesn't fit in. I wouldn't claim that a white person who was unjustly treated because of the color of his skin should just forget about it and move on either. Anyway, I appreciate the responses and so will lots of people deciding to move here. It will give them a small taste of what diverse opinions people in Arizona have and how they react to certain other opinions.

[blue578]

As far as feeling culturally and socially isolated, I don't find this whole state to be terribly sociable.

[phx78]

As a 20 something African American male that has attended both HBCU and mainstream universities on the East Coast, I would rate Phoenix, Arizona as being OK for African Americans. There are black neighborhoods in AZ; South Mountain Village of Phoenix areas immediately east of central Phoenix come to mind. There are multiple hair salons, barbershops and several popular eateries such as Honey Bears, Miss White’s Kitchen and LoLo’s Chicken. First Institutional Baptist, Pilgrims’ Rest on E. Washington St. and Tanner AME immediately east of 7th st are the most prominent black churches in the valley. Despite the criticism I have read and heard before coming to Phoenix 4 years ago, there are black outlets in Phoenix for social, spiritual and cultural activities. One must keep in mind how many black people are in AZ and your expectations accordingly. The Arizona Informant, the black newspaper, can give you more info on African American life in AZ. Again, AZ is not a bad place overall for African Americans, but like moving to any new place, be ready to embrace everything where ever you decide to call your new home has to offer.

As for the comments by the other posters, I agree with some of the negative comments, particularly about the social isolation. However, Phoenix, in my opinion, has yet to develop the level of civic interaction or pride other major cites have and contributes to social isolation. This can be witnessed by going to a baseball game and counting the number of jerseys worn for the opposing team, especially if Sand Diego, the Yankees or Cubs are playing. Many, even some of those born in the AZ, have their hearts set on somewhere else, they just happen to live in Phoenix.