Race factor in Columbus (Cleveland, Cincinnati: best city, loft, homes)

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by ChrissyR

All of this is so good to hear. My family is mixed racially. My husband and I are white and our kids (adopted) are AA. We now live in AZ which is only like 3% black. We are looking forward to our move to Columbus. We plan to move to Gahanna as there schools rank high. I was born and raised in Columbus but have lived here in Tucson for 10yrs. I do like it here but my hubby has a great job opportunity back home. It will be nice for my kids to see more people who look like them there. Good luck to you!!

That suprises me because AZ is so diverse, mostly hispanic though, not much else. 3% really isn't that bad compared to many other states. Ohio currently sits at 11.7% (african-american) which is very large.

[luvnthebeach]

I grew up in the Columbus area and moved to SC a couple of years ago. I truly had no idea what racism was until I moved down here...and I'm white. It seems very rare to see different races doing stuff together here. It didn't matter what color you were in Ohio. Down here white and black people are very much seperated. I cannot believe how awful it is! I miss living in a place where it didn't matter what color you were...people are people. I think you'll love living in Columbus and will not find race an issue there. Good luck to you and your daughter. I know how hard it is to move to a completely new area!

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by luvnthebeach

I grew up in the Columbus area and moved to SC a couple of years ago. I truly had no idea what racism was until I moved down here...and I'm white. It seems very rare to see different races doing stuff together here. It didn't matter what color you were in Ohio. Down here white and black people are very much seperated. I cannot believe how awful it is! I miss living in a place where it didn't matter what color you were...people are people. I think you'll love living in Columbus and will not find race an issue there. Good luck to you and your daughter. I know how hard it is to move to a completely new area!

I agree 110%. Family trip down to Florida, we stopped in St. George, SC for the night. Know where that is? Right on I-95. Well we woke up one morning and went to breakfast before we started out on the road again, couldn't believe the seperations between whites and blacks, it was like we were back in the 50s and 60s again. I had never seen that before.

[luvnthebeach]

Originally Posted by Traveler87

I agree 110%. Family trip down to Florida, we stopped in St. George, SC for the night. Know where that is? Right on I-95. Well we woke up one morning and went to breakfast before we started out on the road again, couldn't believe the seperations between whites and blacks, it was like we were back in the 50s and 60s again. I had never seen that before.

Yeah, it's like being in the Twilight Zone down here. I still haven't gotten used to it and don't think I ever will!!! Definitely like being back in the 50's and 60's, it's like they haven't moved past that era. Almost like time skipped over this state

[Anny]

Adult whites in Columbus and the burbs tolerate Blacks.

They don't look forward to you moving into their neighborhood, they'll speak but won't invite you into their lives, their cars or to their dinner tables.

Your kids can play together, go to school and play school sports together but there's an invisible line that won't be crossed.

Your house will take longer to sell if the slightest inkling it's a Black owned home. Buyers have an antenna you wouldn't believe!

Gahanna has a blue-collar mentality government.

I've lived in Columbus and burbs for 10+ years in newer owned homes neighborhoods.
There are some neighborhoods that will not accept you.

You won't be harrassed, that isn't politically correct. Columbus and burbs are much more subtle than that. They THINK and SAY they aren't racist but it's here.

[ChrissyR]

I'm no expert but I think racism is everywhere unfortunatley. There are ignorant people and there always will be ignorant people. I don't think you can say all of certain kind of people are a certain way. Anny just curious when you say things like "they" don't look forward to you moving into there neighborhood or they let your kids play with there's but there's an invisible line. What is that line? Sorry I'm really not sure what you are stating. How can you group all people together by how some ignorant people are? I'm truly just trying to understand. Thanks for responding!

[FarewellLA]

Whether or not you agree, I think Anny stated her POV on the "invisible line" quite clearly and articulately... "They [adult whites] don't look forward to you moving into their neighborhood, they'll speak but won't invite you into their lives, their cars or to their dinner tables."

I believe this is pretty much on point. That said, I also believe that racism and this type of subtle racism in particular is prevalent throughout the country. There's no utopia with regard to race. And I say this coming from a place like LA, the supposed melting pot of the country...which is really a facade.

It's important to make decisions beyond race, however. Columbus is a relatively decent place to live (I grew up there and visit at least 3 or 4 times a year) and is relatively balanced on racial issues. Nonetheless, I agree with Anny on this issue...

[luvnthebeach]

Wow, some of my best friends in Columbus were black. And lots of them had nicer houses than mine, I would've loved to be able to afford to buy their house!!! Why wouldn't white people want to buy a black persons house? That doesn't make sense? A house is a house, if it's nice it's nice. Yes racism exists everywhere, from all colors, that's no secret. But as I said being in the south now takes it to a whole different level. It's a shame that people still judge each other based on color. I didn't feel Columbus was a bad area for racism when I was there, just my opinion.

[FarewellLA]

You're right... it's not "that bad" it's far more subtle. I would never dream of living down south for the reasons most people stated, but if anyone thinks Columbus is utopia in terms of racial dynamics it is NOT. I don't know that I agree that selling a house is more problematic for blacks (besides, that's not my point, so I won't debate it one way or the other), however I do know for a fact that many blacks feel rather isolated when living in certain suburban environments in Columbus. Is it so problematic that many will choose to live elsewhere? Absolutely not. Why? Because it is so common it's unavoidable. So, bottom line is live where you feel most comfortable for reasons beyond race. My sister lived in Pickerington until recently and she held the same view. She has since moved out of state (for reasons unrelated to this topic), but while she lived in the Columbus area she never felt completely welcomed. The thing that gets me is how so many people are "shocked and appalled" by a person's POV. It's an opinion, and a valid one. I only jumped into this conversation b/c it always puzzles me when people don't allow others to have an opinion that differs from the one they hold. Enuf said.

[luvnthebeach]

I do agree with you farewellLA, just think it's a shame.