Okay... how's the racism? (Lexington, Bowling Green: how much, house, job market)

[veganwriter]

I live in California and it's past time to pack up and ship on outta here. You're all aware of all the problems ... a few more perhaps that's newer.

I'm in my early 50's and I want at least five to ten acres of land. I'm shocked at how lovely some of the homes in KY are.

I've worked as a counselor/case manager as well as a tech writer. I'm currently taking a few biotech classes at the local jr. college and hopefully I'll be able to land a gig as a medical writer/documentation specialist.

I'm dreaming of The Country. Perhaps an hour or 45 mins away from a urban center... the smaller the better. I've lived most of my life in cities and I'm REALLY sick of them. The area I was raised in ... well, all of our parents were from the South. I like the values.

So how's the racial issues in Kentucky? Bowling Green looks REALLY good. (Both in terms of affordable land and the way that people tend to get along together.)

I've looked into demographics, and there seems to be a relatively low number of blacks in the entire state(?) and most seem to live in the major urban centers. Questions:

1.) Comments on the culture of race in Kentucky ... esp. in and around Bowling Green.

2.) Are there any nice rural areas where you might seem more black farmers or country people?

3.) Is it even necessary to look for such areas? (smile)

PLEASE be as candid as possible. Holding nothing back is the most kindest thing you can do.

fred-

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by Frederick Guidry

PLEASE be as candid as possible. Holding nothing back is the most kindest thing you can do.

fred-

----------------------

Yeah, but I get into trouble when I do THAT.

I grew up in Charleston, WV (only 50 miles from the Kentucky line. Spent lots of time in the Lexington area with relatives, and today here (Atlanta) my best friend is from the Winchester, Kentucky area.

Now racism can exist anywhere and it can literally vary over just a few miles. You can be in one area and everyone gets along very well, go 5 miles one way or the other and people will burn crosses in your yard. My Cousin's house in Lexington was in a pretty upscale area with mixed folks living there (white, black and some Asian) but just a few blocks away from here was a subdivision which was known for racial tension, so again, it varies. I *CAN* tell you that Winchester is a pretty darn rednecky town. Granted, my friend's family is one of those "from the bad side of the tracks" kinda folks, but I've been through there with him several times. Physically the town is really neat looking (Main Street USA type of place), but I saw guys walking around everywhere who looked like ZZTop guys with gun holsters visibly worn. yikes.

I've not heard anything negative about the Bowling Green area, but I have no relatives there so it would just be word of mouth anyway.

[veganwriter]

Thanks for being real.

Yeah ... you're right ... it's everywhere and none of us is immune from some degree of something ... but ... I just want to avoid those areas with the "well worn gun holsters"... ya know what I mean?

I'm not asking for heaven. After all... it's my job to make the best out of anywhere I'm at. I just want to get some place where I can catch my breath without someone thinking they have the right to judge how it's coming out of my nose. (And with all the "technocratic alienation" of today's world, that can be anyone ... black, white, brown, yellow, red, pink, blue ... et al...)

So ... what's the weather like? I know you get four destinct seasons ... but how about hurricanes, tornadoes, flash floods, snow blizzards... (I actually love the snow ... but it's good to know how much you're going to get.)

Have a good one ... and again ... big thanks.

fred

[rgrowley]

I've not yet lived in Kentucky so I hope there is less racism than what I've experienced in San Jose, California. Being of Irish decent, I'm constantly put on the defensive in San Jose from African Americans and from Asian Americans, and from newly arrived immigrants.

My wife is Japanese making my kids a part of both our great cultures. I am planning a move to Kentucky and I don't want to be in the major cities because of the racial imbalance that is aside from the whole of the USA. I don't want my kids exposed to the racism I've experience in San Jose, so we are moving to one of the smaller towns.

[MountainMan]

If you're looking for a small town you should probably consider a town farther west of Bowling Green, which is a good sized town. I am from eastern Ky and love it but there are VERY few jobs available. I seriously doubt racism will be a major issue anywhere in central or western Ky. and the job market is much better. Land is also nearly as cheap there as it is in the eastern part of the state. Best of luck!
Ryan

[Sooner-On-The-Move]

I lived in Murray, Ky for some time and found no racism whatsoever. But then, I wasn't looking for it and am so white that I should never be put on a dance floor or be expected to rap or even really rhyme. However, being a college town, Murray (located in Southwestern KY) is a town rife with diversity and, at least as far as I know, little to no racism. It is a bit west of Bowling Green, and in that part of the country, racism against African-Americans can get a bit ridiculous. But at least Murray is a fairly forward-thinking area in that area. No one cares what color your skin is, so long as you bleed blue and white!

[Micah Girl]

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky...e/15508647.htm

What about this recent cross-burning in KY? Is this a random occurence of one person, or is this the sign of an undercurrent of racism in the entire area?

I am sure that this is not the majority opinion, but I do feel the need to ask the question.

[docrw]

Like any place, it's about the values! If punks, thugs, or villains exist in a place that doesn't welcome it they will not be like. Many blacks aren't liked because of the values they instill on TV and music as a forum. They don't instill good values and ruin it for the other blacks that don't embrace it!
They're are "******s" of all colors, but the country is not the place to "act" ghetto. Fred you sound educated, hardworking, and should be an asset.

Originally Posted by Sooner-On-The-Move

I lived in Murray, Ky for some time and found no racism whatsoever. But then, I wasn't looking for it and am so white that I should never be put on a dance floor or be expected to rap or even really rhyme. However, being a college town, Murray (located in Southwestern KY) is a town rife with diversity and, at least as far as I know, little to no racism. It is a bit west of Bowling Green, and in that part of the country, racism against African-Americans can get a bit ridiculous. But at least Murray is a fairly forward-thinking area in that area. No one cares what color your skin is, so long as you bleed blue and white!

[Sundance]

JMHO, I've lived in rural KY and larger, metropolitan cities.
There is LESS racism in KY than in larger, more urban area........again, just my experience.

[hairmetal4ever]

Originally Posted by MountainMan

If you're looking for a small town you should probably consider a town farther west of Bowling Green, which is a good sized town. I am from eastern Ky and love it but there are VERY few jobs available. I seriously doubt racism will be a major issue anywhere in central or western Ky. and the job market is much better. Land is also nearly as cheap there as it is in the eastern part of the state. Best of luck!
Ryan

Somewhere in between Cincinnati, OH and Lexington might be good. Fleming or Bath county perhaps, both rural but close enough to urban areas to go there if you need to.

Originally Posted by Sundance

JMHO, I've lived in rural KY and larger, metropolitan cities.
There is LESS racism in KY than in larger, more urban area........again, just my experience.

I'm going to say something that might get me flamed but hear me out.

In most of these areas, if you're black, and act like Bill Cosby, or Wayne Brady, or James Earl Jones, you'll be fine. If you act like 50 Cent, or Tupac, you'll have trouble in a mostly white neighborhood.

Just an observation.