Minorities in Bridgemill/River Green Communities(Canton)? (Atlanta, Smyrna: houses, rent)

[otoatlanta]

Husband and I are looking to move to one of these communities. We are an interracial couple(he's Panamanian/white) and I'm black American. We've got a toddler/boy, and we are slightly concerned about racism after hearing that more than 100 kids from one of the Canton high schools got together to protest their right to wear the Confederate flag. I was raised in rural South Carolina in predominantly white areas where pockets of hardcore "racial traditionalist" resided. I was never beat up or harassed physically, but the climate was often "warm" coming my way, even from many of my so called teachers. I have no interest in my son experiencing this type of thing on a large scale, so I'm wondering what diversity is like in these two communities. Will we be one of only a handful of families of color out in these masterplanned communities?

[BobKovacs]

We're in Harmony on the Lakes in Canton, and while it's not exactly what I'd call "very diverse", it's not exactly Deliverance either. My daughter's school has a number of black, asian and hispanic kids, but in general, Cherokee County's schools run in the 85-90% white range. I can tell you that on our street, which only has 5 houses on it so far, we have one black family and an inter-racial white/hispanic couple. I doubt those percentages follow through the entire subdivision and/or county, but I don't think it'll be the same level of issue you had growing up in SC.

[backfist]

Originally Posted by otoatlanta

Husband and I are looking to move to one of these communities. We are an interracial couple(he's Panamanian/white) and I'm black American. We've got a toddler/boy, and we are slightly concerned about racism after hearing that more than 100 kids from one of the Canton high schools got together to protest their right to wear the Confederate flag. I was raised in rural South Carolina in predominantly white areas where pockets of hardcore "racial traditionalist" resided. I was never beat up or harassed physically, but the climate was often "warm" coming my way, even from many of my so called teachers. I have no interest in my son experiencing this type of thing on a large scale, so I'm wondering what diversity is like in these two communities. Will we be one of only a handful of families of color out in these masterplanned communities?

While both of the high schools in Canton rate very highly in terms of academics, one is nearly 90% white and the other is 93% white. That in and of itself shouldn't be a bad thing, but if you factor in what you've heard about the pro-confederate protesting, it's possible--possible--that non-white kids could feel a little isolated. I'm not declaring an entire town guilty by any means. But as an interracial family ourselves, that would have been a red flag for us--especially since we have high school age boys. In the teen world, it's hard enough to fit in. Kids don't need that kind of added stress.

Is there a reason you guys are focused on Cherokee County as opposed to, say, north Gwinnett?

[gt6974a]

Well, just to chime in here. The confederate flag doesn't equal racism.

As far as diversity, the farther you go out from the City the less diverse it will be though you can find pockets. You've chosen a predominately white area, that doesn't mean a racist area. If you, as well as others, think places like these should be more diverse.....then people like you need to move there to make it diverse.

Last, when most people on these boards refer to diversity, they're only talking two races, black and white. If you want Canton to be truly diverse, then it's no where close b/c there are even fewer indians, asians, and arabs than blacks.

[backfist]

Originally Posted by gt6974a

Well, just to chime in here. The confederate flag doesn't equal racism.

As far as diversity, the farther you go out from the City the less diverse it will be though you can find pockets. You've chosen a predominately white area, that doesn't mean a racist area. If you, as well as others, think places like these should be more diverse.....then people like you need to move there to make it diverse.

Last, when most people on these boards refer to diversity, they're only talking two races, black and white. If you want Canton to be truly diverse, then it's no where close b/c there are even fewer indians, asians, and arabs than blacks.

Reasonable and rational minds will differ on the first paragraph. But as to the last paragraph, I definitely agree. Diversity isn't going to be limited to chocolate and vanilla. And it's why I asked the original poster if she considered Gwinnett County (truly diverse, in my opinion) instead of Cherokee.

Now, the challenge to move to Canton to make it more diverse is an interesting premise. As a practical matter, you're right; it won't get any more diverse unless more people of diverse backgrounds move there. At the same time, I know that many diverse or multi-ethnic families have run out of that "pioneering spirit", and have concluded that if a town--in 2007--isn't diverse now, then it's probably not going to be.

Certainly (and hopefully) things can and will change, and a diverse group of Georgians anywhere is normal and accepted.

[kelabu]

I'd agree with backfist. I wouldn't move that far up if you're concerned about diversity. Are your jobs near that area? If you don't have to stay in that I'd area I'd look closer to the city or Gwinnett. Personally I wouldn't want to subject my son to the kind of ignorance he might experience for no good reason. I am not saying you'll find tons of people who are openly racist, but you can see if you poke around the boards that it's easy to be insensitive in an environment that's so overwhelmingly white. Many people don't see anything wrong with their comments and attitudes and if no one has ever been around to tell them it is hurtful they just continue on. (well some people are challenged on it and still proceed to tell you what SHOULD bother you, but that's padora's box ) I lived in SC for 10 years, so I feel like we have something in common there. In the Atlanta area you have soooo many neighborhoods to choose from where you'll be easily accepted and actually have families like yours around... think seriously about the trade offs for your reason of considering Cherokee. When I lived in SC there were no choices of middle class nice neighborhoods that were diverse. It was either live in a white neighborhood and be the only one or one of a few or live in the hood. That's it. I hated it. Here you don't have to make such a drastic choice.

[otoatlanta]

Originally Posted by gt6974a

Well, just to chime in here. The confederate flag doesn't equal racism.

As far as diversity, the farther you go out from the City the less diverse it will be though you can find pockets. You've chosen a predominately white area, that doesn't mean a racist area. If you, as well as others, think places like these should be more diverse.....then people like you need to move there to make it diverse.

Last, when most people on these boards refer to diversity, they're only talking two races, black and white. If you want Canton to be truly diverse, then it's no where close b/c there are even fewer indians, asians, and arabs than blacks.

The Confederate flag does not necessarily represent racism to all people, but it represents it enough that anyone who lives in modern day America flaunting it around is blatantly disregarding the feelings of many of their fellow neighbors. So to me, the Confederate flag more typically represents a lack of empathy for others(something I find highly unattractive in anyone of any race).

While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with sheets, hanging one in ones window as opposed to purchasing blinds sends a clear message to many people that you could careless about your own property values, much less anyone elses. You may or may not be low income, and perhaps you just couldn't afford curtains or blinds at the time, but nonetheless-many people would choose to look elsewhere if they went into a neighborhood where large numbers of people hung sheets in their windows. To me, the Conferderate Flag is like a sheet hung in a window. It's not anything I want to see when I wake up in the morning, irrespective of the "race" issue. It represents(to me), tackiness, a lack of empathy, and is often indicative of a social class that I don't want my child raised around. I can't imagine most white middle class parents moving their children to a 98% black neighborhood in which 100+ of the children gathered together to protest wearing Black Panther regalia. Even I shiver at the thought of moving to such a place. So the issue isn't race, its insensitivity and ignorance-something I've seen enough of and have no desire to expose my child to in large doses at a young age.

As for North Gwinett, we have looked there, but my understanding is that the commute to Smyrna area everyday will be too much. We are now scoping out Douglasville. Is this area a bastion of ignorance as well? Please say no. I love the Brookmont community in that area.

By the way, thanks to everyone who responded!

[BobKovacs]

You know, at first I didn't pay much attention to the mention of the confederate flag incident, especially since I had never heard of it happening- I had figured it was a recent even you had heard about on the news, that somehow I had missed in the hustle and bustle of daily life. But now that the county I live in has apparently been labeled "a bastion of ignorance", I felt I owed it to myself to find out more about it. In the process, I found out a few interesting tidbits:

- This incident happened over 5 years ago. While that may seem fairly recent, when you consider that we're talking about the Atlanta metro area, which grows by leaps and bounds daily, and Canton and Cherokee County, which are among the fastest growing cities/counties in the nation, that's virtually ancient history. While the overall demographic makeup of the area may not have changed much in that time, the overall makeup of the place has- from mainly country/farming background to more of a "need to escape to the suburbs" place (especially in the masterplanned communities like Bridgemill).

- The article I found said that "a few parents pulled their children out of school in protest", whereas you make it sound as if 150 families stood behind their kids practically calling for racial purity. In reality, I'd be willing to bet that 95% of the parents didn't even know that their kids were involved, and that most of the kids probably donned the shirts after leaving the house in the morning (remember kids changing clothes after leaving the house when you were in school? I do...).

- I also find it odd that there hasn't been another reported incident of such behavior since, if this area is such a "bastion of ignorance".

Am I saying that moving to Canton is the right move for you and your family? I can't say- that's a decision that only you can make. And as a white guy with a white wife and white kids, I can't even attempt to step into your shoes and understand what you've got to factor into that decision. But at the same time, if this was such a horrible, racially intolerant place, I'd find it rather odd that my black neighbors (both Atlanta area natives, one a NICU nurse near downtown, and the other a executive who works inside the perimeter) would choose to move out here to raise their children, even further into Cherokee than their previous home in Woodstock. Seems like there must have been something to make suffering a longer commute worthwhile, no?

[Atlantasfinest]

Originally Posted by otoatlanta

The Confederate flag does not necessarily represent racism to all people, but it represents it enough that anyone who lives in modern day America flaunting it around is blatantly disregarding the feelings of many of their fellow neighbors. So to me, the Confederate flag more typically represents a lack of empathy for others(something I find highly unattractive in anyone of any race).

While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with sheets, hanging one in ones window as opposed to purchasing blinds sends a clear message to many people that you could careless about your own property values, much less anyone elses. You may or may not be low income, and perhaps you just couldn't afford curtains or blinds at the time, but nonetheless-many people would choose to look elsewhere if they went into a neighborhood where large numbers of people hung sheets in their windows. To me, the Conferderate Flag is like a sheet hung in a window. It's not anything I want to see when I wake up in the morning, irrespective of the "race" issue. It represents(to me), tackiness, a lack of empathy, and is often indicative of a social class that I don't want my child raised around. I can't imagine most white middle class parents moving their children to a 98% black neighborhood in which 100+ of the children gathered together to protest wearing Black Panther regalia. Even I shiver at the thought of moving to such a place. So the issue isn't race, its insensitivity and ignorance-something I've seen enough of and have no desire to expose my child to in large doses at a young age.

As for North Gwinett, we have looked there, but my understanding is that the commute to Smyrna area everyday will be too much. We are now scoping out Douglasville. Is this area a bastion of ignorance as well? Please say no. I love the Brookmont community in that area.

By the way, thanks to everyone who responded!

And I agree with you whole-heartedly, when I first moved here from California in 1998 I was SHOCKED to see so many people flaunting Confederate Flags on bumper stickers, license plates, shirts. It was absolutely appalling to say the least for a 18 kid from Berkeley/Santa Monica to see that. And I'm sure It prevented many businesses from moving here until they finally removed it from the State Flag.

[gt6974a]

Originally Posted by Atlantasfinest

And I agree with you whole-heartedly, when I first moved here from California in 1998 I was SHOCKED to see so many people flaunting Confederate Flags on bumper stickers, license plates, shirts. It was absolutely appalling to say the least for a 18 kid from Berkeley/Santa Monica to see that. And I'm sure It prevented many businesses from moving here until they finally removed it from the State Flag.

Well, the area around Stone Mountain is really diverse and they have a 100 foot tall carving of 3 Confederate leaders staring them in the face everyday.

I guess with everyone's logic on here, we should just get rid of that carving as well!!!

Douglasville will have more blacks but still not too diverse. This has been a fast growing area that would probably equate to Woodstock near Canton.