Odessa racism?????? (Wilmington, Middletown, Lewes: house, school district, university)

[DROB2]

We are a mixed professional couple looking to move to Delaware.We saw a couple of house in the Odessa/Townsend area alot of people are telling us that there is alot of racism in this town that we should look at Middletown.

[Joe84323]

Delaware does have some race issues, both White to Black racism and Black to White racism.

I don't know about Odessa, but if people keep telling you that, it's not worth living there if you'll be treated badly.

[rossc]

The closer you get to a large city, the better it will be. Rural DE seems to be about 20 years behind on those sort of issues. Larger cities have a much more diverse population. Small towns will have small town attitudes and can be reluctant to accept anything different.

[jdoll]

COME ON IN, THE WATER IS FINE!!!!!!! I strongly disagree with the previous writer. The only way you'll feel more comfortable living in a more city like setting is if you are more comfortable in a city setting.

I live in a development 1-1/2 miles south of Odessa and our community is at least 1/3 minority. The Appoquinimink School District (that includes Odessa and Townsend) has a very large minority mix and that includes Townsend Elementary and Brick Mill Elementary, which services both towns.

Anywhere south of the canal you will find a few rednecks, but to say that minorities would have a difficult time here is crazy. If you want a city go to Wilmington, but if you want a smaller town life you'll find you are very welcome here.

And if you have more questions I'll gladly meet you at The Hearth (Rt 13, Odessa) for breakfast. Just e-mail me.

[CaroleM]

I suppose by now Odessa has changed. 20 years ago it was full of rednecks, predjudice, and the rough and ready with chains on their belts always looking for a fight. By now these people have grown up and have probably mellowed.

The Hearth is a great little restaurant.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by CaroleM

I suppose by now Odessa has changed. 20 years ago it was full of rednecks, predjudice, and the rough and ready with chains on their belts always looking for a fight. By now these people have grown up and have probably mellowed.
The Hearth is a great little restaurant.

What street did you live on in Odessa, CaroleM? There's Main Street, where the historic homes are, Route 13, and and 3-4 side streets. I lived on route 13, about a mile north of the Odessa traffic light......Pleasant Hill, in fact, across from The Hearth. Our house has been leveled and there's now commercial development there.

Odessa is known for it's historic district, and I never remembered it as per your description. For those interested in Odessa, this is a wonderful event in it's 44th Year.

Christmas In Odessa

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by CaroleM

I suppose by now Odessa has changed. 20 years ago it was full of rednecks, predjudice, and the rough and ready with chains on their belts always looking for a fight. By now these people have grown up and have probably mellowed.

The Hearth is a great little restaurant.

Wow...........rednecks and predjudice huh.
Reminds me of a story one of my neighbors shared with us.
When they were first married in and around 1966, he was offered a teaching job in Lewes and in Hatfield Pa. They came down to check out the job and the area before deciding on where and which job would best suite them.
They visited Lewes and were turned off at the segregation back them. Restaurants has certain areas sectioned off for blacks. I was shocked cuz coming from PA I thought that sort of thing only happend in the south and did not consider DE to be south?
Anyway, that was a big turn off for them and no way did they want to be a part of that so he took the job in Hatfield Pa and they lived there until last year when they looked for a place to retire.
We visited Lewes with them a few times and they often talk about how ironic it is that they ended up here not far from Lewes where there racism 40 years ago.
Anyway, I am so glad that has changed otherwise we wouldn't be here either.

I don't know anything about odessa but will check it out.
Thanks for sharing Carole

[rdlr]

Here's a little Delaware History regarding racism/desegregation....fact, not heresay:
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"Although a southern state, Delaware began desegregation of schools before the Supreme Court ruled segregation in public schools unconstitutional in 1954. In 1950, black students were allowed to attend the University of Delaware. By 1952, black and white students began attending the same high schools. All segregation of restaurants and public facilities ended in 1963. Many black people moved to Delaware during this time; several settled in Wilmington."

That paragraph can be researched in this article:

THINGS TO DO DELAWARE - STATE HISTORY

[CaroleM]

Originally Posted by elizamary

Anyway, I am so glad that has changed.

Good story, elizamary, I, too am glad things have changed. It's sooooo much better now. What I remembered was a long time ago. That was then; this is now. I do know that I did not like it then (Odessa) but at this date in time I really can't say what it's like because I have not lived there for years and have no contact with anyone that lives there.

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by CaroleM

Good story, elizamary, I, too am glad things have changed. It's sooooo much better now. What I remembered was a long time ago. That was then; this is now. I do know that I did not like it then (Odessa) but at this date in time I really can't say what it's like because I have not lived there for years and have no contact with anyone that lives there.

I may have had the dates wrong when I said 1966. It was in the 60's and there were blacks in one section in a restaurant in Lewes.

I"m so glad it is not that way anymore and that people have come a long way in that regard. I'm sure Odessa has changed through the years too CaroleM.