Biracial couple in Valdosta(southern Ga.) (Atlanta, Columbus: homes, neighborhood, high school)

[mary88]

My husband and I are moving to Valdosta, we currently live in Rhode Island.Whenever we tell people we are moving South they always bring up racism. Is racism really that prevalent? In the Northeast there are many interacial couples to the point where is never an issue. Am I being nieve? Should we reconsider our move? All opinions are welcome. Thanks Mary

[JLA]

It's not a problem here in Columbus. I know several couples that are bi-racial (B/W, B/A, W/H, B/H and W/A). One couple moved here from Savannah, because they were having many problems with people there. Bi-racial couples are excepted here no problems. We're just nice people. It seems as though the further you go south or north of Atlanta, Columbus, Macon and Augusta the crazier things get.

[Fella from Smallville]

Are there any other opinions about this? I'm in an IR relationship myself and we are thinking about moving down south.

[wenzeka]

Iam an interracial couple also B/H. Im thinking about relocating to
dallas ga from new york. which looks like its majority white. I don't know if we will be accepted there

[ellie]

My guess is that some people are going to silently disapprove, but most aren't going to care that much.

Disapproval could come from both the black community and the white. If half of you are Asian or Latin, I'm not sure that anyone would even realize that anything was odd. Opinions could vary from area to area even within one city. But no one will say that they've never seen an IR couple before, it's not that unusual.

Areas with a higher military population, or Atlanta might be better choices if you're worried about it.

[caution]

Originally Posted by JLA

It's not a problem here in Columbus. I know several couples that are bi-racial (B/W, B/A, W/H, B/H and W/A).

Would you agree that the proximity of a large military installation to Columbus has help change the attitude and demographics?

Being military, I've found within 50 miles of any major fort or base that it's a cultural melting zone -- not so much with smaller installations, but larger ones like Ft. Benning, yes.

I'd say in Valdosta, like any smaller town, in some places you'll be accepted and some you'll get stares.

Also, like anywhere, there's the totally ignorant section of the population that will throw bad comments your way.

Much of it is how you carry yourself. If you go looking to make of issue out of race, you'll find someone to oblige anywhere you go.

[JLA]

I would agree that Fort Benning has help to change the attitude and demographics, but Ft. Benning is not the only reason. Having industry here like AFLAC, Total Systems, Pratt and Whitney, a large medical industry and education industry that has helped. These industries have a large minority employee base. Even the church I attend is integrated (which is only natural since we believe that Heaven will have all races of people) and have several mixed couples who are not military and only one of those have been in the military. Never the less, we appreciate Fort Benning because it brings a dynamic to the town, which makes it even more of a nice place to live and thrive.

[classylady]

In larger cities (Atl, Savannah, Athens, etc) you will have a much easier time. Many Southerns are born and bred here and have been for generations. My family is Old South and while I am not racist at all my family is. I am 19 and when my mother found out I was going out to dinner with a black friend she made me come home immediatley. Good Luck.

[Valdosta Resident]

I have lived in small town Georgia for more than 17 years, 10 of which have been in Valdosta. Racism is NOT an issue here anymore. Bi-racial couples are not at all uncommon here. With Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta State University and a very supportive community, you will have no troubles here. Contrary to "caution"'s comment, you'll get no stares here. This is a wonderful town to bring up a family,bi-racial or not. Our neighborhood is an upper-middle class area (90-95% of homes in the county are less expensive than ones in our neighborhood) that is racially diverse and wonderfully close.

[Nick USA]

I need some info about high school.My kids will be attending this year.Any Advise ?