Race In Des Moines (Dubuque, Hartford: rental, crimes, credit)

[DMRyan]

The biggest race problem in Iowa anymore is the economic disconnct between whites and blacks. Iowa has one of the highest jobless rates for blacks of almost states after Minnesota and Michigan, according to a recent Des Moines Register article.

I haven't heard about cross burnings or large scale waves of racially motivated hate crimes against blacks since the early or mid 1990's in any part of Iowa. Dubuque once had an issue with hate crimes against blacks almost two decades ago, but all seems quiet on that front anymore. There are still problems here, but nothing like you'll find in the deep south and certainly not as open or blantant as you see down there.

[IrisMGOK]

Originally Posted by jinxer

I am so sorry to ask this question this way - I am new to this. Expanding on Des Moines being the 9th best place to live...I live in Cedar Rapids and am thinking of relocating to Des Moines. I am a social worker and will already have a job. I don't drink and am a true Cancer - homebody. My question is how do Black and White folks get along in Des Moines?????? I am not a martyr - I don't want to live where I have to be fearful. I want to live in a diverse, nice neighborhood where I don't have to be afraid of a cross on my lawn when I get home from work. Is Des Moines a good place to live? More than likely my children, at least one of them will move with me which is fine. Move or stay in Cedar Rapids???

Perfectly valid questions. I think if you actually had minorities to answer, it might be more valid. You might not get much response, though if there aren't that many blacks or other minorities with experience in Iowa who visit a forum such as this. I hope you get some truthful answers based on experiences. Good luck!

[El Rhino]

When I saw this thread again I thought it was going to be about the now-defunct Ruan Grand Prix.

[RonnieJonez]

It's probably slightly better in this respect than Cedar Rapids - population is bigger, the city tries to think of itself as bigger than it actually is, so maybe more white residents want diversity.

The main problem is, most white residents simply don't want to admit racism still exists in Iowa, they'll make off-the-cuff comments like "it's not 1942 anymore, the blacks need to grow up and stop complaining". Or, they'll argue that reverse racism is now the problem, and ramble on about how much they hate affirmative action and stuff like that. I would consider them more "racially ignorant" opposed to "racist".

The DM Register had an interesting article about this maybe a year ago. I can't find it, whenever you search the word "racism" almost nothing but Obama news pops up, I'm assuming it's not in the archives anymore. It was a very informative article, the main premise being whites in Iowa simply don't want to admit racism is there.

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

It's probably slightly better in this respect than Cedar Rapids - population is bigger, the city tries to think of itself as bigger than it actually is, so maybe more white residents want diversity.

The main problem is, most white residents simply don't want to admit racism still exists in Iowa, they'll make off-the-cuff comments like "it's not 1942 anymore, the blacks need to grow up and stop complaining". Or, they'll argue that reverse racism is now the problem, and ramble on about how much they hate affirmative action and stuff like that. I would consider them more "racially ignorant" opposed to "racist".

The DM Register had an interesting article about this maybe a year ago. I can't find it, whenever you search the word "racism" almost nothing but Obama news pops up, I'm assuming it's not in the archives anymore. It was a very informative article, the main premise being whites in Iowa simply don't want to admit racism is there.

Hopefully the original poster found something of use here. I know I sure didn't.

[JoeisSweet]

Yeah, if you do move to Des Moines, and want to live in a diverse neighborhood. Make sure that it's on the south or east side, that's where the most diversity is. Cause most of the West and North Suburbs are all white.

[DMRyan]

All the suburbs are mostly white.

[michaelpault]

Read the statistics on crime in City-data or the us census bureau. They show all the demographics you may want. Stats don't lie.

Sadly there are a lot of wanna bees amongst our youth. Those they most fear they often most emulate. That is true in all populations but stats speak a clear language all cultures are not the same. Read the statistics.After all you are speaking about where you want to live, not hole up in an urban bomb shelter.

[Iowagirl566]

[quote=ckhthankgod;5051565]Didn't Des Moines have a Black mayor at one time?

I think there was a black city manager around 1994 or 95. It seems like it was right after the floods of 93.

[El Rhino]

[quote=Iowagirl566;5413708]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

Didn't Des Moines have a Black mayor at one time?

I think there was a black city manager around 1994 or 95. It seems like it was right after the floods of 93.

Yes, Preston Daniels was mayor around 98 or 99-ish.