Mixed race family - how would we be received (Grand Rapids: transplants, school district)

[jenandkam]

We are considering a move to a mid-sized city and I have a significant amount of family on the east side of the state so I thought the west side would be something to consider (close enough, but also far enough).

We are a mixed race couple (black/white) with 2 mixed race children. I am reading a lot about how conservative Grand Rapids is on these boards, but am wondering if that would apply - or if it's just politics and religion.

We have lived in the south where it was occasionally an issue and currently live in Denver where it's never been an issue. I'm mostly worried about my kids. I want them to be in a good school district (was thinking Forest Hills based on research), but don't want them to look like two flies in a glass of milk.

Thoughts? Candid responses welcome and appreciated.

~Jen

[mich2fla]

We used to live in FH schools before moving to the Atlanta area. There are some mixed race families in the school district and surrounding areas. You will be fine, we never saw issues with it.

FH has lots of nationalities represented even though it's mostly white.

[topher5150]

Don't let the fact that GR and the surrounding areas are pretty conservative scare you. My wife, who is black, has mixed nieces and nephews we used to take them to church and all the old people there couldn't stop spoiling them.

[heetseeker]

Originally Posted by topher5150

Don't let the fact that GR and the surrounding areas are pretty conservative scare you. My wife, who is black, has mixed nieces and nephews we used to take them to church and all the old people there couldn't stop spoiling them.

whoa are you saying conservatives are racist? Anyways I don't think it really matters your kids will probably be accepted for there personalities and character once they blend in with the other students. Living in fear cause your kids might not be accepted will hurt them more than just going and doing it.

[Jandur]

Originally Posted by heetseeker

whoa are you saying conservatives are racist? Anyways I don't think it really matters your kids will probably be accepted for there personalities and character once they blend in with the other students. Living in fear cause your kids might not be accepted will hurt them more than just going and doing it.

Well I for one don't know many racist liberals, or any really, but that's a different story.

I would avoid the GR suburbs like Wyoming and Sparta etc but for the most part an inter-racial family won't be looked down upon.

[jenandkam]

Thank you so much for the responses. Very helpful. We've only outwardly experienced any issues in one city we have lived in and just really don't want to go through it again. It's not just that I don't want to knowingly expose them to racism, but I also don't want them to be the only people of color in their schools. I'm glad to hear that there are many nationalities represented in this particular part of Grand Rapids.

Thanks again for the responses!

~Jen

[magellan]

Originally Posted by heetseeker

whoa are you saying conservatives are racist? Anyways I don't think it really matters your kids will probably be accepted for there personalities and character once they blend in with the other students. Living in fear cause your kids might not be accepted will hurt them more than just going and doing it.

Yes, for the most part, the ultra conservatives in West Michigan are racists and bigots wrapped in baked goods. Luckily there aren't as many as there used to be.

Sorry Jen, yes, you'll be fine. Forest Hills is pretty diverse in cultural values mainly because it's a lot of transplants. Probably predominantly transplants to the area.

[ckhthankgod]

Look into Kentwood, as it is a suburb with pretty diverse schools that are solid, from what I remember. Perhaps parts of Wyoming(I.e.- Kelloggville Schools, etc.), Comstock Park and maybe even Northview, Grandville and East Grand Rapids too.

[jenandkam]

Thanks again to everyone for the input. I will look into those areas as well.

[francishsu]

I think that mixed race families have gotten more and more common over time in this area. I'm not sure about interracial marriages, but international adoptions seem to be much more common.