Racism/Georgia (Atlanta, East Point, Kennesaw: apartments, houses, unemployment)

[MrTudo]

We encoutered a lot of that in soutwestern North Carolina ( Columbus-Tryon) and were ripped off by a realtor in Columbus.

[southernguyGA]

Originally Posted by jeanifca

Hi,
We are here in South Florida and making our first trip to GA at the end of the month. We are looking at Kennesaw and Woodstock. I am starting to be a little concerned about racism. We are a tri-racial family. I'm German/American, husband is Cuban and the love of our life is our 2 year old adopted Chinese daughter. My husband has voiced concerns over this and I have always told him it is nothing to worry about. I am just looking for some input. Since So FLo is such a melting pot it has never been a problem. We are moving his parents and my mother to. Our housing selection will be based on a good school district for our daughter and possibly any other children we adopt. We need to have our parents close by and access to doctors etc for them. We are not looking to live in a all hispanic or asian area as we do not now. We actually live in a mostly Jewish neighborhood. I hope this does not offend anyone as I was not sure about posting this or not. I just wanted to get some input for myself before making the trip.
Thank you for any replies.

Uh this is a tough but good question, Kennesaw GA is fine, But to be honest,
Forsythe County is really bad, I personally know of incidents in the last few years up there. Also most of rural GA is okay but there are pockets.

There are many Biracial families around Atlanta and it is common place now.

[sweetgapeach]

Born in Macon, Georgia and presently living in Warner Robins, Georgia. I don't know about the particular area you are moving to, but Warner Robins is the home of the Warner Robins Airforce Base and we have people from all over the world here. In fact, we are known as the International City. I haven't personally seen much racism here with the exception of the fact that there is a bit of a problem with blacks being racist against whites. I was at a cookout last weekend with a few other couples and I was the only one there who actually grew up in this state. The others have only been here for a year or so. A discussion about reverse racism came up and they all agreed that they had never seen such racism against whites coming from the black race until they moved here. Since I've been in this area my whole life, I thought it was this way everywhere but they all told me that it isn't, that it's just here in the deep south. They said it was quite a shock for them and that even their children have asked why some of the black children are so mean here in the schools. It's always in the movies and on tv that the whites are racist against the blacks and other races, and of course I have seen my share of that in my life, but reverse racism is certainly a problem here and sometimes makes me wish I could move my family to another state. The tv shows and movies certainly don't show any of that and it seems to be an unspoke problem. I personally try to treat everyone I meet kindly and the way that I would like to be treated, no matter what the color or race. I hope that your family will be happy wherever you choose to move to and that you will be given the respect that all people deserve.

[atlantagreg30127]

As you live here for a while, you'll find that really Atlanta is a "black or white" city mentality wise. Atlanta proper is majority black with majority black leaders. The suburbs (such as Kennesaw) are majority white with majority white leaders. There is a fair amount of tension at times amongst the black/white community here, simply due to the number of yuppyish types fearing the huge crime rate in Atlanta, which at least if you watch the news, is primarily commited by young black males.

Because of this, you WILL see "the stares" even today when you see a black man and a white woman together. A little less but still so, seeing a white man and a black woman. When you see black/white mixed children, you will sometimes in some areas still come across some prejudice (less to towards the kids, more to the parents). A couple of years ago there was even some controversy when a Baptist preacher in one of the burbs refused to allow a mixed couple to bury their mixed baby who had died in the church cemetery. This is NOT an everyday kind of thing, but it does still happen.

There's a large "but" in here, though. That tension only seems to exist on the black/white front. You see mixed race children with Asian, Hispanic, White, etc, and no one seems to give a second look. A white/Asian couple won't draw a second glance here, and White/Hispanic won't either - the only glances you get is by seeing Black/Asian, Black/Hispanic, or perhaps people dressed in Muslim clothing of Middle Eastern backgrounds.

I eat in the Kennesaw area a lot and see a lot of families with Asian/Hispanic mixed and/or adopted foreign children and no one ever even looks their way (I'm a people watcher too, I observe reactions from a distance to varous things). By the same token, an older couple near my house (just south of Kennesaw) had a daughter who dated a black man and they had a child. When they babysit they tell me that they do get quite a few stares in public, and have even had two older people come right up to them and say, "He's so cute, oh, I am so sorry". (shocking them). Once again, black/white thing.

Not trying to offend anyone, just saying it like it is based on observations. I feel it's possible to be brutally honest without overfluffing political correctness or directly insulting someone. The South still has certain issues, and if it involves black or white, (and since 9/11 Middle Eastern) you'll see it. Asians and Hispanics here (or mix) are just ignored both visually and culturally.

[jenniejordan]

Hi, I am asian and also adopted. I grew up in Marrietta,Ga and was adopted by a great Family. I LOVE MARIETTA . I loved growing up in Ga, the people are wonderful. I never really came across any racism growing up. I was the one of maybe five asian people in my class. I was head of the cheerleading squad and runner up for prom queen. I love having things to do like riding horses and going to art museums with my dad. Their are alot of Jewish people in my parent's neighborhood and everyone is invovled with the community. They also help each other if anyone needs help. I think you will love Ga and don't have anything to worry about. Of course there are areas to stay out of with any state. You and your children will be fine, don't let your fears hold you back. My husband is moving us to Tennesee and Ga is way better the that. Good luck and you will love it....

[Georgia]

I don't see any issue in the Atlanta metroplex, even in Woodstock. Atlanta is referred to as the Empire State of the South and it is basically the New York City of the South. One giant melting pot.
I in the NE side of Atlanta in a very diverse neighborhood. We have no issues and most of us are very close friends.

As for Florida being a happy opened minded place. Have you ever been to Arcadia or Palatkee?

[Tdiddy0027]

Any south floridan wondering about the Jewish presence in the area- There aren't as many Jewish people here as there are in S Florida, but the Metro does have the 11th largest Jewish population in the US (120,000) and it is growing. Most of the Jewish population can be found in places like Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta, East Cobb, Western Gwinnett. A goods way to remember it is the V formed but Interstates 85 and 75- most Jewish people are found there.

[backfist]

I tend to be of the mind that where there is segregation, racism has laid its eggs and waits for the right time to hatch. And I'm afraid that this isn't just an Atlanta/GA phenomenon, but a nationwide problem. Everywhere from Long Island to Long Beach, neighborhoods and communities are becoming more and more de facto segregated. It isn't so much the "good schools" that people want, but the good schools with kids who like "our kids". It's not so much the "family" neighborhoods that folk want, but the "families" who look like "ours". A simple read between the lines, and it's easy to figure out the code.

As far as suburban/metro Atlanta goes, it's worthwhile to ask one's self why communities like Alpharetta, Cumming, College Park, Forsyth County and others are nearly homogenous in their populations. Why they're so segregated.

And then wonder what might hatch in the future.

[jeanifca]

I haven't been online in a few days but was surprised to see all of the responses. Thank you all for your input. I guess we will see for ourselves in another week when we get up there!
Thanks

[ready2move]

Jeanifica, my hubby and I are going up on August 3rd and staying the weekend. Please let us know how your trip went....