African American Community throughout Arizona (Phoenix, Scottsdale: middle-class, crime, house)

[deedawk1]

My wife and 2 young kids are looking to move from metro Detroit to the North Phoenix/Scottsdale area due to employment change. I've read many posts, and would like to get more opinions and help on knowing what to truly expect as an African American family coming from a majority black and middle to upper class area. I know we will need to adjust to the major cultural difference of becoming a minority, but are there good social activities and shopping for African American families? We teach our children about equality, so we're not looking for any segregation, but would feel comfortable if we're not the only blacks in our neighborhood or our children standing out as the only blacks in their school.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by deedawk1

My wife and 2 young kids are looking to move from metro Detroit to the North Phoenix/Scottsdale area due to employment change. I've read many posts, and would like to get more opinions and help on knowing what to truly expect as an African American family coming from a majority black and middle to upper class area. I know we will need to adjust to the major cultural difference of becoming a minority, but are there good social activities and shopping for African American families? We teach our children about equality, so we're not looking for any segregation, but would feel comfortable if we're not the only blacks in our neighborhood or our children standing out as the only blacks in their school.

Although my neighborhood was mainly Mormon we had several African American families move in, in the last 2 years. I lived in Gilbert by Highland Highschool.

[LVGAZ]

I also live in Gilbert, white, middle class family, and my sons friends are from all ethnic backgrounds - in fact his best friend is African American - we are a very non judgmental group here - there are a lot of interracial, interethnic marriages here - the churches are accepting of all. I would actually say that color and ethnic background is VOID. It is amazing for a large city to have such openness and friendliness and participation of all human beings as people.. I come from Boston - so I know the struggles that can occur.
The only distinct group that separates itself (and in my view) in their choice is the Hispanics - and it could be because we are so close to the border and they are so happy to be here - but find comfort on banning together.

[brittZ]

I do not think there are any specifically black communities with the possible execption of what used to be South Phoenix and that was where the gangs and crime were. I personally think that anywhere you go is going to be fine. The Valley is pretty open and friendly with a few exceptions which you will probably find anywhere.

I do have one question though and I mean no offense. I simply want to understand. You said, "are there good social activities and shopping for African American families? We teach our children about equality, so we're not looking for any segregation..." What exactly are good social activities and shopping for African American families? How are those activities and shopping different from good social activities and shopping for white people, or mexicans, or Asians? How does looking for activities that isolate you as an African American family teach equality? Again, I am not looking to insult, argue, degrade etc. . . just trying to understand.

[deedawk1]

Thanks BrittZ,

I didn't want to give my life story, but just to help you understand. Here in Detroit, there's always stage plays, concerts, poetry clubs, nightclubs, etc. that feature african american artists. We frequent venues that feature all ethinic groups, but it is nice once in awhile to go to an R&B nightclub because that's what I listen to. It's really about having options to experience all the cultures. My question on social activities stems from the fact that I have read about and been told about many cultural activities accept african american activities in the Phoenix area. I would have asked about other cultures, but I've found plenty of info already on everything accept african american culture. I appreciate your reply, because it is important for others to know where I'm coming from.

[brittZ]

Gotcha. Here are a few links which may or may not help.

http://www.phxsoul.com/
http://www.soullist.com/
http://www.urbanaz.com/
http://www.blacktheatretroupe.org/
http://www.phoenixblackchamber.com/c...bObjects/gpbcc

Hope they help.

[Ponderosa]

Phoenix area is segregated along class lines. You will live in a neighborhood of people with about the same income as you have. There is no racial distinction or racial segregation whatever in these neighborhoods. It's the size of your paycheck and not the color of your skin that matters. There is no middle/upper class black, hispanic or, for that matter white, neighborhood. It's just middle/upper class with all represented to some degree.

The remnants of housing discrimination are found in South Phoenix. However, this area of town has transformed now to a largely hispanic one and the AA people have dispersed thoughout the valley. There are a couple of clubs left and some churches, but the area is pretty rough and not much of a community anymore (for African-Americans). There never were many AA's in Phoenix and with them spread around there, they pretty much have to melt into the "culture" of the rest of the city.

With where you are looking at moving to, in all liklihood, your next door neighbor, your co-workers, the guy you play tennis with, the people who come to your house parties etc will be mostly white with a couple hispanics too. There will be some black kids in every school, but not a lot of them. Your kids' best friends will be probably be blondes. Your wife will have to ask around to find a place to get hair products and a good hair dresser who knows AA hair. It's not total isolation and there are some black cultural groups and organizations, but the numbers just aren't there for a big community.

Does that mean you have to adjust to being a minority? I don't know. My wife is AA, I'm not. My wife has no problems living in world where color is not so important. My daughter recognizes racial distinctions but seems comfortable among her Barbie-doll friends. In the many years we have lived here no one has given us any grief. But then, we are not really paying much attention anyway.

On the other hand, some of my in-laws seem obsessed with matters of race and are very uncomfortable here. They find racism in just about everything that happens in their lives. They want to move to places where the races are segregated, because they think they would be more comfortable among their own. So your happiness here is going to depend on your personal values and approach to a situation that is very different from what you are used to.

[scottie]

Originally Posted by deedawk1

My wife and 2 young kids are looking to move from metro Detroit to the North Phoenix/Scottsdale area due to employment change. I've read many posts, and would like to get more opinions and help on knowing what to truly expect as an African American family coming from a majority black and middle to upper class area. I know we will need to adjust to the major cultural difference of becoming a minority, but are there good social activities and shopping for African American families? We teach our children about equality, so we're not looking for any segregation, but would feel comfortable if we're not the only blacks in our neighborhood or our children standing out as the only blacks in their school.

Unfortunately, youre not going to find what youre looking for in Phoenix. African Americans are dispersed throughout the valley in small percentages. I think they probably accout for about 4-5% of the population in the Phoenix metro area. Im from Columbus, Ohio and youre not going to find the kind of setting for AA's that you could in the mid-west, majority AA cities with middle-class AA's in the suburbs and surround areas. Ex - Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, Cincinnati and so on. That being said, the number of AA's moving to the Phoenix metro area are certainly growing. Arizona State is making tremendous strides in diversity, nearly doubling the number of AA's and Asian enrolled in just 3 or 4 years. All around, people in the Valley seem to be very accepting of any kind of race. Thats just my 2 cents

[jlhct]

Originally Posted by deedawk1

Thanks BrittZ,

I didn't want to give my life story, but just to help you understand. Here in Detroit, there's always stage plays, concerts, poetry clubs, nightclubs, etc. that feature african american artists. We frequent venues that feature all ethinic groups, but it is nice once in awhile to go to an R&B nightclub because that's what I listen to. It's really about having options to experience all the cultures. My question on social activities stems from the fact that I have read about and been told about many cultural activities accept african american activities in the Phoenix area. I would have asked about other cultures, but I've found plenty of info already on everything accept african american culture. I appreciate your reply, because it is important for others to know where I'm coming from.

Hello,

I had some of the same concern initially but I agree with another person stated here, I think that the division will be along class/income lines.

I am African-American and have been here from the NE for about 1 month. I've had no problems, and have felt very welcome. I also have family here and they have said the same thing. It's different because there are no primarialy "black" neighborhoods per se, but it doesn't matter IMO.

Also, to make you feel a little better, Tyler Perry had a showing of "Madea Goes To Jail" here last year. There is also an African-American film festival here every year, and a couple of weeks ago there was a jazz festival in Chandler.

I think you will be fine here, that will be the least of your worries. The general vibe here seems to be very friendly.

[deedawk1]

Thanks everyone!!!

My wife and I were reading your replies together and this information is very helpful and comforting to allow us feel at home no matter where we are. Most of our neighbors here in metro Detroit (Southfield) are equally down to earth, just as it sounds most people are there. We should fit right in

See ya in a couple of weeks!