Thinking about moving to West Des Moines

[SharpHawkeye]

Originally Posted by dwilli1041

I am African American. I interviewed for a job in Dubuque last month. The people I came across were very nice. I am about to accept an offer to work for a Fortune 500 company in Dubuque. My daughter and son are thinking about relocating with me to Dubuque but are expressing concern about the friendless of the people. My daugter came across posts expressing negative views of the State. She is in college and plan to transfer to a community college to finish her Associate Degree but now she has doubts. My son has come across people who are basically saying the samething about the State. I raised the kids mostly in predominately white areas. In most cases we have been the only black on the block. And they have been amongst the few blacks in the school districts. They know how to socialize with people of all races. And I have basically raised them to pray and answer only to God, go where you want to go, live where you want to live and be who they want to be in life. I will see soon if what I taught them pays off. In the meantime I came across an article on the web "Iowa Is The Second Worst State For Blacks? ", State 29: Iowa Is The Second Worst State For Blacks? . Disheartening.

Even with coming across this article, I will relocate. Because of my beliefs. Pray and answer only to God, go where you want to go, live where you want to live and be who you want to be in life.

I read the State 29 article, and it is thought provoking. (State 29, by the way, was a right-leaning blogger who was popular in the state before "retiring" several years ago--the post in question is from 2005.)

The premise, without wanting to derail the discussion, is that a little over 3% of Iowa's black population is in jail, compared to a little under .3% of Iowa's white population--meaning (by The Black Commentator's analysis) that Iowa is 11 times more likely to throw a black person in jail vs. a white person.

While this is troubling, I'm not sure just this alone is reason to call Iowa "the second-worst state for blacks". Iowa is doing a lot of things right. The educational system is great, crime is low, and people get along.

I think, in your family's situation, you'll be fine. Unfortunately, Iowa seems to be a "love it-or-hate it" state, where people either fit in well and love it here or they get bored or angry and can't wait to get out and trash the state every chance they get.

Give Dubuque a chance. I think you'll like it.

[El Rhino]

I just skimmed through that "10 Worst Places to be Black" article. Pretty funny. How do you end up with Iowa and Wisconsin - two states that pretty much always top the quality of life charts in the US - as the worst place to be? Colorado? Oregon? Come on. I would like to believe that factors other than the prison population determine an African-American's quality of life in a given area.

[RonnieJonez]

For some reason, most in Iowa can't stand any kind of criticism regarding much anything. You even make a comment that's considered a quarter-millimeter out of line and it's Armageddon.

It's not really a very open-minded state, having a liberal state government does not mean the populous is open-minded.

[hawkeye2009]

Originally Posted by Family oriented

YORKIEMOM Thank you for your input. People in the South, in some parts are pretty friendly, but they still fly the rebel flag around and although they may wave the thought pattern is "you should know your place". I know you can not lump every one in the same pie. In whatever state a person may be in there are some pro's and some con's. I'm hoping that Iowa is a place different from where I am now. From what I have heard it is a nice place. Like I mentioned before I want to raise my childeren in a welcoming enviornment, safe and peaceful. I know the is no "perfect" community but thos are the things that I'm looking for. Down South there are many blacks so people here are used to seeing us around. For instance I looked up the schools --Waukee, I hope I spelled that right will be the elementary school my children will attend and they have only 4% black in the school. I don't want them to be looked upon as the odd ball . That concerns me just a bit. Truly just a bit, because I teach my children that it doesnt matter the color of the skin and they can excel no matter where they are, however , I want them to feel comfortable. I also know that every family isn't teaching acceptance of all people. I am really looking forward to this move, I have been very prayerful about it. I want to make the best decision for my family. It's not like moving from Sc to Ga. Once again I thank you for you in put. If you have anymore I would love to hear it!

I live in West Des Moines. I think if you feel it is important to have a higher percentage of black children in classes, Roosevelt High School district is probably the best option. Roosevelt is probably the best academic school with a higher minority enrollment. It has a fairly wealthy Jewish contingent there as well. The neighborhoods around Roosevelt are brick homes with alot of trees. There are very large homes south of the freeway and those areas also attend Roosevelt. The area near Roosevelt has large mature oaks and is an older area, with most homes from the 1920s to 1950s. Merril is a very good middle school in that area. We really like old homes, but chose to live in WDM to be on a golf course.

West Des Moines is nearly 100% white, but again, I think that most Iowans treat everyone who is family oriented (obviously this is important to you) quite well. I don't think you would have any problem at all, as I have never detected animosity toward blacks in Des Moines or West Des Moines. Iowa State fans are a different matter. West Des Moines is predominantly new homes with fewer trees in a suburban environment. There is no such thing as a bad school in West Des Moines, Waukee, Urbandale, or Johnston. People are pretty friendly and hard working types. We have spent time in South Carolina (my brother ran the Naval Hospital in Charleston for 14 years). I would not send my kid to a public school there. You will not have that problem at all in Iowa. There are no pro sports, and much of the social activity revolves around kids and high school kids sports.

I think you need to get rid of that sweet tea, as you will make a waitress vomit if you order that in Iowa!

[hawkeye2009]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

For some reason, most in Iowa can't stand any kind of criticism regarding much anything. You even make a comment that's considered a quarter-millimeter out of line and it's Armageddon.

It's not really a very open-minded state, having a liberal state government does not mean the populous is open-minded.

That is simply not true. I have lived around the US and find Iowans to be very low key.

[zz4guy]

There are worse places in the Unites States than Dubuque, IA for black people. I would give it a chance. I never met anybody in Dubuque who was racist.

PS, what is sweet tea? Sounds nasty.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

PS, what is sweet tea? Sounds nasty.

It's tea with sugar. Not a big fan, I don't like sugar in my tea.

[Persimmony]

No sugar in the tea. That should be a law here.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

For some reason, most in Iowa can't stand any kind of criticism regarding much anything.

Unless the criticism is being dished out upon your art by Cat Rocketship & Co. just like the big city, right?