Racial relations in Atlanta (Marietta, Smyrna: lower-class, apartment, to rent)

[MountainLovin' Mom]

I've read all 7 pages of threads... I don't quite know what to think. We are an interracial family (black dad, white mom with 2 sons) living in So CA. Dad is originally from Augusta area. Mom is from Austin. Been together in CA for 18 years. Looking to move to Atlanta to get the h*** out of CA. BUT... my kids are 13 and 10. They have lots of friends here... pretty much all white because of where we live. Are they going to be put into a bad situation if we move there?? I'll do what's best for them...

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

I partially agree with that, but not 100%. If you go to other parts of the U.S. (North, Northwest, West, etc) and ask people what they think about people who live in the deep South, you'll hear the trailer park reference far more than you think. Southerns are pretty much seen as intolerant, uneducated, and religious zealots by many in other areas of the country. It doesn't matter if that Southerner never graduated from school, or if they're a multi-degreed college grad, they're pretty much clumped in that same cast.

I have briefly done some work in other parts of North America here and there in the past, and when I told folks where I lived I would hear things like, "Oh, I'm sorry - that must be a difficult place to live", and, "Are the people there really like you hear about - I mean, like, so backward?" I could go on, but in Washingston State I was even told by a group of people that they had heard babies who were born to interracial couples were "snuck out and sold overseas" by some parents - they had heard it on the news! Uhhhh huhhhhhh. And they were mostly refering to the whites when they had these "notions".

I agree with you on your point...the "burden" does apply to white southerners...however, white southerners only!

There is a problem in our country in that there are many people (usually the northern, white liberal types) who think it is not ok to make-fun of, discriminate against, and/or disparage any ethnicity, race, religion, culture, etc. except for white southerners. This is wrong.

In my opinion, "Southern" (the American South) is a unified culture. White+black southerners have much more in common than their northern counterparts. In terms of culture, there is really no difference. It is the skin color/racism/history issue keeping southerners apart.

Ask a white and black southerner how they were raised, what they eat, etc...and you will see exactly what I mean.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Angelheart1023

Pirate,
You seem like a very sweet person. Thats a horrible way to be treated no matter what race a person is. I guess being Italian or maybe just the way I was raised or maybe I just lived a sheltered life, I just don't understand treating someone a certain way because of skin color no matter what race you are.

I think it happens both ways and its a SHAMEFUL!

I haven't read anything from you that I would consider biased to either side. Thats says something to me. I think thats important.

awww, I love the post I agree that prejudice happens in both ways, and not just in American terms. From what I have been told, in some parts of India, many lighter-hued Indians won't associate with darker-hued Indians even if they are of the same ethnicity(happened between blacks in America during the old days). Treating someone badly because of skin color is shameful, but common.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by MountainLovin' Mom

I've read all 7 pages of threads... I don't quite know what to think. We are an interracial family (black dad, white mom with 2 sons) living in So CA. Dad is originally from Augusta area. Mom is from Austin. Been together in CA for 18 years. Looking to move to Atlanta to get the h*** out of CA. BUT... my kids are 13 and 10. They have lots of friends here... pretty much all white because of where we live. Are they going to be put into a bad situation if we move there?? I'll do what's best for them...

It's impossible to know for sure how your kids will be treated here. At one school they may fit in perfectly, at another, the black kids will call them the typical name that mixed kids are called and give them hell. No way to know. Private school will minimize it (a good one, anyway).

If you move to one of the immediate suburbs like Smyrna, Vinings, Duluth, etc., then the kids will be in mixed schools and probably have minimal problems (if any at all) due to the mixture of kids. If you move intown then they'll likely catch hell from the black kids as most intown public schools are predominately black. If you move TOO far out into the burbs they may catch it from the rural white kids as the outer burb schools are predominately white, so it's a logistics game you have to play carefully.

[backfist]

Originally Posted by MountainLovin' Mom

I've read all 7 pages of threads... I don't quite know what to think. We are an interracial family (black dad, white mom with 2 sons) living in So CA. Dad is originally from Augusta area. Mom is from Austin. Been together in CA for 18 years. Looking to move to Atlanta to get the h*** out of CA. BUT... my kids are 13 and 10. They have lots of friends here... pretty much all white because of where we live. Are they going to be put into a bad situation if we move there?? I'll do what's best for them...

We have pretty much the same family makeup, and know how you feel. We felt the same way. We found that the northern parts of Gwinnett County, or maybe some parts of north Fulton were our best bets for a good neighborhood where diversity existed, and the kids could go to schools that achieved. In Gwinnett, you'll see more families like ours, and the kids will see and interact not just with kids like them, but with Black kids, White kids, Asian kids, etc.

As you can see, people still have issues and hang-ups, but by and large, people don't act on their feelings, views or beliefs. Like anywhere, try not to live too close to the urban core or too close to outlying rural areas and more than likely you'll wind up in a decent spot.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by backfist

Like anywhere, try not to live too close to the urban core or too close to outlying rural areas and more than likely you'll wind up in a decent spot.

Duh. I just said that. LOL

[slick45]

hey what up I am a new mumber at this do you want be friends

[backfist]

Originally Posted by Britishintown

It seems some people see a couple of isolated incidents and all of a sudden Atlanta is a KKK hole, for me, I have never seen any racial tension and have friends of many races, Atlanta is a great place as far as I have experienced it.

Maybe it's because I am color blind.

While I wouldn't be so cavalier as to dismiss anyone's life experience as "a couple of isolated incidents", I might agree with your self-assessment of being blind.

[backfist]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Duh. I just said that. LOL

You said it so well that it needed repeating.

[bclark3434]

its sad that it is 2007 and we still have this issue. im white and know that whites do alot of dirt, but look at blacks or hispanins 100 times harder when they do the same thing. My sister was beatin and rapped by white male. i bet if he were a minority some members of my family and her friends woud look at every minority like they did it. its getting old.