How is racism in Austin? Would an IR couple be a culture shock? (live, shop)

[LittleMissArizona]

I am black. My boyfriend, future husband is white. If we moved to Austin, would we be stared at or would random people say something to us about being an IR couple?

We get looks sometimes where we live now. But, even when its an older white couple the looks almost seem positive or encouraging or simply curious. Not hostile or antagonizing. When we go out sometimes we see other couples just like us.

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by LittleMissArizona

I am black. My boyfriend, future husband is white. If we moved to Austin, would we be stared at or would random people say something to us about being an IR couple?

You don't have to worry about that in Austin. It's an open minded city and you will likely find similar couples here without trying hard. What part of Austin are you moving to?

[LittleMissArizona]

Originally Posted by Austinite101

You don't have to worry about that in Austin. It's an open minded city and you will likely find similar couples here without trying hard. What part of Austin are you moving to?

I'm not sure yet. We're just thinking about moving in the near future. Thanks for a response.

[G Grasshopper]

I was just talking with friends about this today. My sister married a black man in 1974. It was a big deal then, but now, we all agreed that a few people out there might take a curious look, but its mostly a non-issue. I see all kinds of IR couples, and I don't think it is treated as something unusual.

[LittleMissArizona]

Originally Posted by G Grasshopper

I was just talking with friends about this today. My sister married a black man in 1974. It was a big deal then, but now, we all agreed that a few people out there might take a curious look, but its mostly a non-issue. I see all kinds of IR couples, and I don't think it is treated as something unusual.

Thats a relief.

[Don in Austin]

Originally Posted by LittleMissArizona

I am black. My boyfriend, future husband is white. If we moved to Austin, would we be stared at or would random people say something to us about being an IR couple?

We get looks sometimes where we live now. But, even when its an older white couple the looks almost seem positive or encouraging or simply curious. Not hostile or antagonizing. When we go out sometimes we see other couples just like us.

If you are 6' 4" and your boyfriend is 5' 1", you might catch me staring at you, but otherwise not. An IR couple is not that unusual around here.

There is always the random drunk, mentally ill or bigot anywhere who might say something rude, but I think you will encounter this rarely, and hopefully never, in Austin.

Don

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by LittleMissArizona

I am black. My boyfriend, future husband is white. If we moved to Austin, would we be stared at or would random people say something to us about being an IR couple?

We get looks sometimes where we live now. But, even when its an older white couple the looks almost seem positive or encouraging or simply curious. Not hostile or antagonizing. When we go out sometimes we see other couples just like us.

I have to disagree with the other posters, interracial couples are rare around here. Like anything unusual it will attract attention. On the plus side austin is extremely well educated so that will help. So in most parts of town it wont really matter. But Im sure in some parts of town you will get stares. In a metro area of 1.3M there are bound to be bigots.

I dont think any of us have direct experience with it, just know austin is a really white city. That being said white male with any minority is much more accepted than black male with a white woman.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

I wouldn't worry about it. Not saying you may not get a curiosity stare, but you're probably not got to get any hateful stares.

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by Austin97

I have to disagree with the other posters, interracial couples are rare around here. Like anything unusual it will attract attention. On the plus side austin is extremely well educated so that will help. So in most parts of town it wont really matter. But Im sure in some parts of town you will get stares. In a metro area of 1.3M there are bound to be bigots.

I dont think any of us have direct experience with it, just know austin is a really white city. That being said white male with any minority is much more accepted than black male with a white woman.

The metro area population is 1.8M+, not 1.3M. And its not a 'really white city'. The whites here don't crack 50% of the population

[Sheila Green]

Dear One,
I too am a black woman, however, I am married to a black man. Yes, there is racism in Austin, TX as it is everywhere in the United States. Should it matter to you? Not if the two of you are committed to each other. What others think is not important. Will you get looks, or your children get looks? Yes. Does it matter what is behind the looks? No, not if you are committed to each other and you teach your children to love both the white and black parts of them. I have a mixed grandchild and we get stares all the time. She will love both the black and Mexican parts of herself, because we respect both cultures.