Young African American Family relocating (Phoenix, Tucson: scorpion, living, centers)

[twiggy]

yes, woman were and some still are treated unequally to men of any color. We were not allowed to vote, could be legally beaten, and refused birth control. Black or white. We came to this country and murdered it's native population. People are not going to stop trying to get ahead on other peoples backs. You have to out-wit them. Hate never changed these things but a good mind does! There are complainers and there are doers.
The more doers minorities and woman have the more change you'll see!

[Artliquide]

Originally Posted by twiggy

yes, woman were and some still are treated unequally to men of any color. We were not allowed to vote, could be legally beaten, and refused birth control. Black or white. We came to this country and murdered it's native population. People are not going to stop trying to get ahead on other peoples backs. You have to out-wit them. Hate never changed these things but a good mind does! There are complainers and there are doers.
The more doers minorities and woman have the more change you'll see!

Right on Sista Yes, women still make less than men, on average for the same job, but instead of resigning to the fact that I am still unequal, socially, I went to college on my own dime (because I can't get ethnic grants as a middle class white girl) so that I can live the life I choose to live. We're all responsible for our own fate and nothing anyone says to bring us down matters.

[mzmaya]

Originally Posted by Artliquide

Right on Sista Yes, women still make less than men, on average for the same job, but instead of resigning to the fact that I am still unequal, socially, I went to college on my own dime (because I can't get ethnic grants as a middle class white girl) so that I can live the life I choose to live. We're all responsible for our own fate and nothing anyone says to bring us down matters.

Heck, I couldn't get any ethnic grants as a poor working class Black chic. What ethnic grants are u referring too, I wonder? Specific schools that offer 10 special grants that takes all kinds of requirements, like being dirt poor, straight a's, living in a specific region....so on.....??? I had to get in debt with banks to get my edu. like most I think.

I agree, it's unfair the wage gap between and women additionally Black women are the lowest on the totem pole. Pitiful all the way around. Maybe we need to all unite again like back in late 70's and the group, NOW put on demonstrations for equality in jobs.

[mzmaya]

[quote=nickluva;2389977]Good points but we gotta look at reality. America needs to wake up seriously. In 50 years this nation will be mostly brown and black. Instead of throwing away federal money on wars and things like building more prisons. They need to invest that money towards the schools in the black and hispanic communities because this is where half the future is going to be coming from. White people also need to stop isolating themselves and running away whenever somebody black or hispanic moves into their neighborhood. They just want the same things you have and they're trying to live a nice life too. When ever whites leave a community because blacks and hispanics start move in that area gets neglected and goes to ****. The middle class white people first leave then money invested into the schools dissapear because the government isn't going to invest in a predominatly black or hispanic area then the schools go back then the schools go bad and then middle class blacks follow the whites that previously left because they got better schools for there kids. Now you have a low income area and low performing schools with no opportunies for the kids. So that by itself those communites can't even get a decent education. If the government is going to keep neglecting blacks and hispanics it's going to fire back on them and this country. The country will go downhill very quickly if they don't get smart. end quote


SERIOUSLY tho, middleclass and wealthy whites leave because of they fear their property value will go down. They are right to leave because as a Black person, I have witnessed first of all how WRONG real estate agents and landlords are when they become greedy and as soon as they let one BLack person in their building who may not be rich but is educated and decent (no loud music and keeps up property) instead of continuing to screen anyone else, they suddenly let everyone and anything in. No more standards. THat Black person (or latino who was the first to move in the area) is then scrambling to follow the white people that left again into a better area because they don't want to be with the riftraft either.

The other problem is that Blacks and Latinos are in denial of some of their own relatives, co-workers, and friends in that when they move somewhere nice, they brag to these people and invite them to move into the area. They don't realize how ignorant, disruptive, or destructive they may be!! I'm not trying to be funny, but it's like they invite that relative that's been in jail on serious charges or in gang to come on over and live there. Again, the real estate or landlord wrongly lets them just move on in and there goes the neighborhood! Additionally, Blacks and Latino act therefore passive when addressing crime or disruption in their area. They don't band together and resist the bad people from staying in their area. Very few associations in some cities do, but not nearly enough!

[Elmonellie]

Originally Posted by mzmaya

I'm new to this board, so greetings everyone first of all. I could'nt help but read Annabelle's blog regarding racism here in Arizona and the unfortunate incident at her child's school.

As a Black person, I think it's horrible what happened at such a young age. Unfortunately, as a young child attending a ballet school, I had the misfortune of a parent telling me when I was not near my mother that I couldn't come to the party of one of the girls in my class (the class was predominantly white) because I was Black. I was so shocked, I hadn't thought of myself as less worthy than them, I just stared at him. He was a cop in his day job, btw. That was my first experience with racism. I never was invited to that party by anyone, not that cared that much to go but hence, I experienced the social isolation that most Blacks in this country are probably used to.

Anyway, I grew up in Cicero, Illinois and remember KKK dressed in sheets coming through our neighborhood really fast on trucks. Gosh, the racism was so horrible what Blacks went through in my area of town. Even in recent years, I got called the n-word by a white woman who bumped into me in a mall where mostly Blacks were shopping. That being said, racism is everywhere and upon moving here, I kinda already mentally prepared myself to deal with it. The white women at the Glendale visiting center was really my first bad experience with it here. Other than them, everyone especially white people have been really nice in my opinion and i always focus on the positive.

Despite my experiences with racism, i still give everyone a chance and was raised to believe that most whites are NOT racist, just pockets here and there. I still believe that and heck, I've been treated at times poorly by other Blacks among other groups. So u really can't go by color too much in the way of expectations.

I do see what u mean about the hair situation (tho I haven't been here long enough to fully research this) and ur right about hair care being serious for the sistahs! I also have not seen a lot of soul food restaurants. BUT BLACKS shouldn't leave, they should start a business for what is needed. To move wouldn't make sense and I can tell u do not want to leave, maybe ur just feeling isolated when it comes to your experiences? Maybe u can start a club or way to connect with others who u feel can relate. If ur still reading this post (as I know it's old) let me know what u think about that.

Great post.

[Artliquide]

Originally Posted by mzmaya

Heck, I couldn't get any ethnic grants as a poor working class Black chic. What ethnic grants are u referring too, I wonder? Specific schools that offer 10 special grants that takes all kinds of requirements, like being dirt poor, straight a's, living in a specific region....so on.....??? I had to get in debt with banks to get my edu. like most I think.

I agree, it's unfair the wage gap between and women additionally Black women are the lowest on the totem pole. Pitiful all the way around. Maybe we need to all unite again like back in late 70's and the group, NOW put on demonstrations for equality in jobs.

I guess I don't know anything about ethnic grants I just figured that since the UNCF and other ethnic scholarship groups exist, that it's easier for people of ethnicities other than my own to get grants and scholarships. I haven't heard of any Danish heritage scholarship groups. Also, having heard of some affirmative action cases regarding college acceptance, I figured that it's generally easier for people of non-white heritage to get into college. That was a pretty dumb assumption though. I'm just glad I got to go to college, even though I had to pay for it all myself (despite having straight A's in high school).

Anyway, yes, we should do something about the gender wage gap, though it's difficult because companies do not usually disclose wages to employees, so it's difficult to know which companies discriminate. Maybe the research groups who come up with the data could provide some info to the general public.

[GoddessofRandomThoughts]

Originally Posted by mzmaya

U may have to visit to really know, because the census is not very reliable sometimes the data is old. I researched the census before I moved to my area (northwest of phoenix) and it read there was a very small percentage of Blacks living here but when I go outside and drive around my area, I see a sizable amount of Blacks everywhere-way more than what I expected. I was really surprised actually. i don't know about a "small" town tho. Sounds interesting about the "artist community". I say go for it!

Mzmaya (just got the name!) Thanks for answering my question.

Yeah I will most likely come down for awhile before actually moving and check it out.

Unfortunately, I find that you don't really know a place until you have been there a few months and I can't do that , LOL.

But if i do not like Ajo, or it doesn't work out , anyone have any other suggestions for not to big places to live in Arizona?

I am not all that concerned about race. I am Black but I find that I don't have many problems (or I am obtuse) .

Let's face it most folks are somewhat racist in some way. Most of the time we all manage to get along but you can nitpick the subject to death.

Don't believe the hype, as the saying goes, on either side of the race question.

It's hard enough being human, adding in race and gender, just confuses the heck out of everyone.

Love, Laughter, Peace and Blessings to all!!

[mzmaya]

Originally Posted by Artliquide

I guess I don't know anything about ethnic grants I just figured that since the UNCF and other ethnic scholarship groups exist, that it's easier for people of ethnicities other than my own to get grants and scholarships. I haven't heard of any Danish heritage scholarship groups. Also, having heard of some affirmative action cases regarding college acceptance, I figured that it's generally easier for people of non-white heritage to get into college. That was a pretty dumb assumption though. I'm just glad I got to go to college, even though I had to pay for it all myself (despite having straight A's in high school).

Anyway, yes, we should do something about the gender wage gap, though it's difficult because companies do not usually disclose wages to employees, so it's difficult to know which companies discriminate. Maybe the research groups who come up with the data could provide some info to the general public.

Not dumb at all. I thought the same as well til I decided to go college. Even Ebony magazine puts out an annual scholarship issue, but when u look into the article, either its for some college u never heard of, not for your major, you don't me the requirements, and so forth. I'm sure there is a decent number of Blacks that are able to take advantage of the grants or scholarships opportunities they get based on being a minority. But in my summation, 1/4 of Blacks entering college get these Breaks, the rest of us have to work while going to school or get in debt with banks. I believe that universities take advantage of everyone wishing to attain a degree. Not too many breaks for anyone. Even for minorities. I think Native Americans fair best. I got Native American roots but you have to be still associated with some tribe or have a number for a relative that was born on a reservation. My grandmother number couldn't be verified tho according to an agency in Oklahoma where she was born on a reservation, she's Choctaw btw. But I did give a try. Maybe I'll keep investigating.

[mzmaya]

Originally Posted by GoddessofRandomThoughts

Mzmaya (just got the name!) Thanks for answering my question.

Yeah I will most likely come down for awhile before actually moving and check it out.

Unfortunately, I find that you don't really know a place until you have been there a few months and I can't do that , LOL.

But if i do not like Ajo, or it doesn't work out , anyone have any other suggestions for not to big places to live in Arizona?

I am not all that concerned about race. I am Black but I find that I don't have many problems (or I am obtuse) .

Let's face it most folks are somewhat racist in some way. Most of the time we all manage to get along but you can nitpick the subject to death.

Don't believe the hype, as the saying goes, on either side of the race question.

It's hard enough being human, adding in race and gender, just confuses the heck out of everyone.

Love, Laughter, Peace and Blessings to all!!

Have u looked into Tucson? I heard it's nice but maybe someone knows more can shed some light. Also, I'm not sure what age group you are interested in being around but Arizona is a place where a lot people retire to so you may come across a lot of retirees here. What made u pick Ajo?

[Artliquide]

Originally Posted by mzmaya

Not dumb at all. I thought the same as well til I decided to go college. Even Ebony magazine puts out an annual scholarship issue, but when u look into the article, either its for some college u never heard of, not for your major, you don't me the requirements, and so forth. I'm sure there is a decent number of Blacks that are able to take advantage of the grants or scholarships opportunities they get based on being a minority. But in my summation, 1/4 of Blacks entering college get these Breaks, the rest of us have to work while going to school or get in debt with banks. I believe that universities take advantage of everyone wishing to attain a degree. Not too many breaks for anyone. Even for minorities. I think Native Americans fair best. I got Native American roots but you have to be still associated with some tribe or have a number for a relative that was born on a reservation. My grandmother number couldn't be verified tho according to an agency in Oklahoma where she was born on a reservation, she's Choctaw btw. But I did give a try. Maybe I'll keep investigating.

Yes, I think you're right that you'd have to be a tribal member to benefit. My boyfriend is 1/4 Cherokee, but has no association with the tribe, so he can't get any money for that (though he opposes using heritage for that kind of purpose.) Luckily, he works for a great company that is paying completely for his education. I wish we all could be so lucky.