A more specifiec diversity acceptence question for Huntsville (Decatur, Madison: hotels, school)

[Crazykasim]

I looked to the other threads and saw some people talk about how Huntsville is very diverse and open to different races, which is great. The question I had is

I work for an aerospace / defense company that has a very large office in Huntsville, it has been tossed around that I would be a good fit managing one of the shops. I have lived in the south, I was formerly stationed in Mississippi, and various places in Texas all of which I loved with no racism (I look more Hispanic). Execpt now I have a family and have to consider how they would feel there.

I and my wife are both 20 something full blooded Indians and not the Native American ones, the Asian ones (I was born and raised in the US though), and I am a Muslim. I don't plan to stay forever, but I didn't want to feel like, or be treated like I was unwanted. My wife does not wear the traditional Hijab style head dress, but she does like to wear her traditional Indian dresses every so often. I understand some stares, but do you think anything negative will come of this?

I love where I presently live, but see this as a huge career opportunity, but don't want to do it if my family will be ill treated.

I am only asking this because I have never been to Huntsville, but have heard a lot of good things it's just all of the good stuff come from my cucasian co workers, so they don't consider the same things I do. Thank You

[HsvMike]

Hi Kasim, you should not have any problem fitting in down here. People relocate here from all over the country and world for that matter. Everyone is pretty open, you might get a few looks from certain people, but nothing beyond that. If you have anymore questions just let us know.

[NicoleC]

I don't think you will have any problems. You may want to stay closer into Huntsville or Madison proper to avoid the few mossbacks around. There are a couple of ladies I see from time to time wearing full hijab and jilbab and I haven't seen anyone give them a second look -- I think your wife's dresses wouldn't be any cause for concern.

Huntsville has a couple of Indian markets and at least one Pakistani/Indian restaurant that seems pretty authentic (Sitar in Madison). There are at least a couple of more I have passed, but I haven't tried them.

[Huntsville82]

I'm not there, yet, but I think because of the number of military or ex-military members in the area, it should not be a problem. I think the majority seem to be more accepting of cultural differences than society as a whole. Perhaps I'm speaking out of turn, though?

[Crazykasim]

I am ex military and have never felt unaccepted in the military arena. I just didn't know the majority of the people in the Huntsville area are military or ex military, is this true?

[Southlander]

We have quite a few (Asian) Indians in North Alabama, doing everything from managing hotels to doing surgery. It's not unusual at all - even in Decatur - to see a lady in a sari. My children had several Muslim Indian friends grow up with them throughout their school career. I believe you would be very welcome!

[FlourChild]

I have seen several ladies in hijab in Huntsville (particularly on the UAH campus) and nobody turned a hair. So to speak. For all the stares/comments their attire generated, these ladies might as well have been wearing jeans and t-shirts, on their way to Walmart.

[NicoleC]

I was out and about today and must have seen a dozen ladies in traditional Indian dress. I had never really noticed before; neither did anyone else today. It reminded me how fun and yet very classy these dresses are -- if I were an Indian lady in America, I wouldn't want to give them up either.

I don't think the majority of folks in Huntsville are ex-military, but it is certainly a very military-friendly town.

[Huntsville82]

Originally Posted by Crazykasim

I am ex military and have never felt unaccepted in the military arena. I just didn't know the majority of the people in the Huntsville area are military or ex military, is this true?

I didn't mean to imply that the majority of people in Huntsville were military or ex-military. If you re-read what I wrote, I stated that there are a number of people in Huntsville that are, and IMO the majority of people associated with the military seem to be more accepting of cultural differences simply because they have usually traveled and lived in more places around the world.

[Reactionary]

HSV is definitely a military-friendly town, plus IIRC there are like 80,000 military retirees in the area. I think most Indians in town are Hindu, but there is an established Muslim community (including masjid and school).

Huntsville Islamic Center