Info on Wichita neighborhoods (Derby, Andover: 2009, middle schools, living in)

[burnt]

Originally Posted by Sco

I am beginning to think that Wichita might not be the right place for my family. There appears to be an undercurrent of racism and ignorance that is shocking for the times. At least two posters have now claimed to be proud of the fact that segregation is still an accepted practice. I have no interest in moving my family to an area that has yet to emerge from the bad old days of the past. Are these posters truly representative of the area?

Well, I guess there might be at times, but usually it's more in the suburbs. I grew up in Wichita, and the only racism I really saw was in heavily non-white neighborhoods, with whites being the targets. In the heavily-white suburbs, including Derby, where I went to middle and high school, I certainly saw more traces of racism, except the more traditional type against people of color. But I've found this to be the case in almost any city in which I've lived, from California to here in the DC/Baltimore area. On the whole, I think Wichita's actually much more peaceful in terms of racial relations than any of my east coast or Texas homes of the past. California usually seemed to be just as casual, although I'll admit I lived in a much more affluent and homogenous area (Monterey), where there wasn't really much opportunity for racism to exist.

I wouldn't worry about what Iseeblackpeople or spongebob said. They obviously didn't bother reading the original post, which specified against suburbs. I'd tend to think they really just don't know the area. Sure, Andover, Derby, Goddard, and Augusta are probably lower in crime, but duh, they're the sanitary suburbs. It's a trade-off you very clearly specified you're willing to make, Sco.

[bumblebee73]

wow. I wish that i had seen this post sooner. I am black and my husband is white, we have lived in the Wichita area for more than 7 yrs now and I have to say that I have not personally had a problem with racism. As a matter of fact, we live in Andover and we really like it. The schools are good and I am pleased with them. Wichita is also very diverse. I think that you should ignore the rude posts and decide for yourself. I would say that I was treated worse in Kansas City than I ever was in Wichita. Also, there is alot of interracial dating and marriage in the area. But we will be moving back to Texas soon and if you really want diversity I suggest Houston . But, anyway...good luck.

[Tarynnn]

I know that I am late in responding and that you have by far made a decision. And that you may or may not be here, But Wichita is wonderful city.I have lived in the house I'm in my whole life and I have not once had any problems with crime. I live just out of downtown Wichita, in a Government neighborhood. in the Linwood Area, directly across from Linwood Elementary.
Wichita does have problems with crime, yes. But what city doesn't?
Most crimes are either black or black and hispanic on hispanic. ETC.
If you want to avoid "bad" sides of town, You can visually see it.
Up North on Broadway is Hispanic area, Just North/Northwest of WSU is the Black neighborhood. Then there is Oaklawn and Plainview. Those are the places you are most likely to see crime.
Suggesting the College Hill would be right.
They would go to Wichita East High School. It is the biggest school in the State and oldest in Wichita. They have the IB program, wonderful drama, band, and choir. They have won state in basketball, and almost won state in football in resent years. They are very diversified, with over 2200 students, compared to Derby with the same amount of students that are all white. Every year they have a Multi-Cultural assembly, where people from different backgrounds show something from there culture, (from gospel to Asian and Indian dancing) They have foreign exchange programs, as for clubs the have GSA, Students against Predudice, along with alot of other things.
Never Ignore, Never Forget: A 1300 Mile Relay Against Genocide
This was organized by 7 students from East.
Just the things at that 1 school, shows the potential of this city.

I find it ignorant that people can talk about a city and not actually know the heart of it.
Just because there are "bad" people, and there were suggestions not to move this city, I find crap.
I would much rather be here, over some place else.

[IRISHFAN512]

Originally Posted by Kansasfornow

I live in Wichita and disagree with the last two posters. I agree with the areas where you were told to look. I hate the "white flight" mentality about Wichita. Compared to most cities there is little crime. Yes, there is diversity here but from my perspective that is a good thing. I would encourage you to find a realtor and check out homes in these areas rather then make a decision based on this discussion board.

My husband and I are moving to Wichita in the next few weeks. Everything we've had to do has been site unseen. I'm beginning to get a bit nervous about where we'll be moving to. We're moving to East Blake Court, off of Pawnee and Rock Road...can anyone tell me about this area? What does "white flight" mean? I'm a bit scared now?? HELP!

[crazyma]

White flight is when white folks flee the neighborhood because other skin colors move in.I guess they think they will get cooties or something <grin>
I don't specifically know where this has happened in Wichita.

I am unfamiliar with the area you are moving to. Personally I would only live, and do, north of Kellogg/54 and east of Oliver..the NE side of town.

Don't worry though. Wichita thinks it is big, bad and ugly.Pretty much wannabes. Just use the same commonsense you would noramlly and you will be fine. Most people are at least friendly, some are a little more distant with newcomers. And there are some who are very into $$$$ and their so-called status.

[drfeelgood]

I am a hispanic physician who relocated 1 year ago to Wichita to work in the medical field. I was told Wichita is a "melting pot" of different cultures and intolrance was not an issue. Knowing this is an existing problem all over the US, I was ready for some encounters of ignorance; I never expected it was going to be so big. I am not talking abou the "white-trash trailer park population, that's easy...you know what to expect. It's the white collar, college educated people who try to live and give the impression of sophistication in the middle of this flat hell that are till prejudiced and ignorant. If you are Hispoanic, you have to be Mexican...so you must be illegal. The concept of geography does not exist here, acording to the books in Wichita, Latin America is just Mexico. As a physician, I try to explain my patients whats wrong with their health and the only thing they can come up at the end of the conversations is my nationality and if I'm legal. If you live here, you got to have at least 5-7 children to fit into the social current. People are intolerant, everybody thinks the same and, God forbids, don't even mention that Wichita is not as good as people think, because the "nice mid western hospitality" will turn to into rage. People still think they are riding horses instead of cars as its shown on their driving skills and manners. After all, there is a reason why Wichita is so isolated from the world... as any ranch, there's got to be barriers so the cattle won't escape, same thing here with it's people; they have to be isolated from the rest of civilization. As wild cattles, this intolerance and ignorance should not be allowed to interact with the rest of the nation. One more month, and I'm leaving this glorified white-trash trailer park called Wichita

[athfo]

Originally Posted by drfeelgood

I am a hispanic physician who relocated 1 year ago to Wichita to work in the medical field. I was told Wichita is a "melting pot" of different cultures and intolrance was not an issue. Knowing this is an existing problem all over the US, I was ready for some encounters of ignorance; I never expected it was going to be so big. I am not talking abou the "white-trash trailer park population, that's easy...you know what to expect. It's the white collar, college educated people who try to live and give the impression of sophistication in the middle of this flat hell that are till prejudiced and ignorant. If you are Hispoanic, you have to be Mexican...so you must be illegal. The concept of geography does not exist here, acording to the books in Wichita, Latin America is just Mexico. As a physician, I try to explain my patients whats wrong with their health and the only thing they can come up at the end of the conversations is my nationality and if I'm legal. If you live here, you got to have at least 5-7 children to fit into the social current. People are intolerant, everybody thinks the same and, God forbids, don't even mention that Wichita is not as good as people think, because the "nice mid western hospitality" will turn to into rage. People still think they are riding horses instead of cars as its shown on their driving skills and manners. After all, there is a reason why Wichita is so isolated from the world... as any ranch, there's got to be barriers so the cattle won't escape, same thing here with it's people; they have to be isolated from the rest of civilization. As wild cattles, this intolerance and ignorance should not be allowed to interact with the rest of the nation. One more month, and I'm leaving this glorified white-trash trailer park called Wichita

I work in the medical field in Wichita and have never experienced your situation. I work in an affluent area in the northeast, about 1/3 of our staff is Vietnamese, I see/help/serve all races every single day, and I've never, ever witnessed the prejudice or intolerance that you describe here. Just my take.

[talbet]

The above post is like a black person saying they have never seen any prejudice in their neighborhoods against whites. I think people who do not see prejudice are insolated or are not seeing what they do not want to. Believe me it is there and anyone who says that it is not is telling the truth or lives in a bubble. Kind of link Ragan who did not see any of these so called Homeless in the Oval Office. LOL
It also reminds me of Bagdad Bob who stood in front of CNN cameras saying where are these so called Americans? and the Abrams tanks were just two blocks over.

[KevK]

Wichita is not racist. It is one of the LEAST racist places in the USA. It has a black Mayor despite being 80% white and it had another black Mayor in the early 60s (A Price Woodard) when such a thing would have been unheard of in most of the country. When bussing started in the 60s, unlike in the south where there were riots, with a few exceptions (South High and Truesdell), the black students were welcomed into the previously all white schools.
That is not saying that Wichita is, by any means, perfect. It has had problems too but when compared with most of the rest of the country, it is 100% ahead and always has been on race relations. Nobody cares if you are married to a black person or if you have bi racial kids. Few of them will even look twice.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by talbet

The above post is like a black person saying they have never seen any prejudice in their neighborhoods against whites. I think people who do not see prejudice are insolated or are not seeing what they do not want to. Believe me it is there and anyone who says that it is not is telling the truth or lives in a bubble. Kind of link Ragan who did not see any of these so called Homeless in the Oval Office. LOL
It also reminds me of Bagdad Bob who stood in front of CNN cameras saying where are these so called Americans? and the Abrams tanks were just two blocks over.

If you move into poor neighbourhoods, you are going to see prejudice. The reason people are poor is largely because they are ignorant. Not in every case but in most cases. And ignorant stupid people tend to be racist. And it goes both ways. But most people are not going to elect to live at 13th and Grove or in Planeview. Most people are good hard working middle class people who want to get along with their neighbours and watch out for each other.