bi-racial family

[equine75]

Originally Posted by jh2

We live in Beardstown,Il and take offense to the post that it's like going back in the 50's. We have alot of African Americans, Hispanics and alot of mixed marriages and families. I know back in time Beardstown had a name for being prejudice, but I don't believe it is still that way.

In all fairness I wouldn't say that there are ALOT of African Americans in Beardstown. I mean for one it is considered a small town and even though there are many Hispanics now it is still pre-dominately white. There are a few immigrants from Togo and Nigeria but definitely not alot of american black people living here. You do see some inter racial marriages between the white population and the Hispanic population.

This area (Cass, Schuyler, Brown County) is VERY well known for being racist. Next door in Schuyler County as late as the 70's there was a sign that sat on the county line that read "don't let the sun set on your black ***.

I think there are some tolerant people in the area but still alot of intolerant ones too. You have to remember that most of the natives of this area of Illinois hadn't really seen a person of color living among them until the 90's when Cargill started bringing in the Hispanics.

I think the generation that is up and coming will grow up with different views but for now it is the way it is.

I couldn't verify it but I've heard rumors that clan meetings have been taking place. I wouldn't mislead someone by saying that they'll be accepted by the masses or that they won't stick out like a sore thumb.

I think the most important thing to remember when moving into a new area is that you just need to be nice to people and most will be nice to you. Adapt to their way of life instead of trying to impose your own way onto theirs. Appreciate what is important to them and don't mock it or make them feel small because of it.

In this area (west central Illinois) we are farmers, construction workers, factory workers, and river men. We like to ride four wheelers through the mud, we like to hunt, shop at Walmart, plant flowers in our yards, water ski on the Illinois and have dinner at Grandma's after church on Sunday morning. We are an honest people who tend to work with our hands and don't mind getting dirty while we're doing it!

We live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. If you only see corn fields, then you are near sighted. Get off the main highways and see what we're all about and how we live. The terrain varies from flat prairie to rocky river bluff. We have hills and hollers a plenty.

We definitely have a slower pace of life than what you'll find in the big cities. You WILL have to slow down for a slow moving tractor in front of you on a highway. (Illinois is one of the top suppliers of corn and soybean products to the ENTIRE world.)

We don't have any fancy stores or art galleries to entertain you and no award winning golf course. We have a public swimming pool and the entertainment in the summer consists of attending the local Little League game or watching the community band perform in the gazebo. You can always drive a half hour or an hour to "town" if you want to see a movie or find more shopping options. In fact, I should put that down as entertainment because that is what my husband and I do on the weekends! We head to Macomb or Quincy to shop at the SUPER Walmart and eat supper out.

We are a haven for those who desire a slower pace of life- for those who want to stop and smell the roses or sit out on a porch of an evening and listen to the whipporwills and the bullfrogs.

There are not many jobs in this area and yet we natives linger on, generation after generation. Could be there's more to life than living in the fast lane and earning a six figure income...

[Sohotrust]

I would echo the statements earlier on for Hyde Park, Oak Park, Evanston, Homewood-Flossmoor, Mateson, Oly Fields... and most areas of the city.

[Scribbler]

Originally Posted by equine75

I think the most important thing to remember when moving into a new area is that you just need to be nice to people and most will be nice to you. Adapt to their way of life instead of trying to impose your own way onto theirs. Appreciate what is important to them and don't mock it or make them feel small because of it.

Very, very important, no matter WHERE you relocate to.

Nine times out of ten, I feel like people who relocate somewhere and are very unhappy with it have made the mistake of presenting a negative or condescending attitude to the locals about the place they call home, or who can't/won't accept the character and atmosphere of a given locale.

[312alldawaybaby]

want to live in a diverse and racially accepting town in Illinois? well i know of this little town called "Chicago" located on lake Michigan in northern Illinois. everyone seems to be forgetting that Illinois is home of the 3rd biggest city in the United States. it would be nearly impossible to not find diversity in this Midwestern metropolis.

[linicx]

Um... do you know you are replying to a post that is over two years old?