Konsidering Kentucky... (Lexington, Louisville, Bowling Green: Home Depot, wedding, living in)

[barlowsbelieve]

Hello to all!
Just recently my fiance' and I took a trip to Leitchfield, KY (Yee-haw! that was our initial reaction) for her best friend's wedding. Like I said initially we were like "this is so Children of the Corn" and of course being African-American (and a mixed couple) in such a rural area only added to that initial fear and overall culture shock. However after assessing our current situation here in Jacksonville, FL versus our growth potential there, I think we are seriously considering a move. We weren't terribly crazy about the amount of travelling one must do to get from one place to another, but we were blown away by the tremendous amount of beautiful lush green acreage and affordability of housing. She has been sold and is ready for the move right after we say our I do's in October. Me? I think I need a bit more convincing. So I was hoping some light can be shed on your fair community. With Leitchfield having a 1.56% Black population I was concerned about how well blacks are received as well as mixed couples? And my second concern is finding employment. Easy? Not easy? She is able to keep her same job but I don't want to be the schmo at home looking for a job while his woman is putting food on the table.
I certainly do appreciate you taking the time to read ALL of this. Many thanks!

[tomocox]

First of all if you are of African genealogy, stop calling yourself African-American. The boys who flew as the Tuskegee Airmen were American's without hyphens, therefore lower or separate class citizens. If you are dark skinned, so what? Let it go. Live at peace with yourself and your neighbors and you will be accepted in Kentucky. You may not be dinner guests, but you will be neighbors and neighbors are important in Kentucky.

If you want a job in Kentucky, there are jobs. If you are trained and capable and willing, you will be a highly demanded person. If you are uneducated, unskilled, and unwilling, then stay away until you are an asset to your family, your community, and yourself. We have enough welfare citizens as it is.

Tough talk, but you want the truth don't you? For if you know and understand the truth, you will be anything and anybody you wish to be in Kentucky. No excuses, just do what the job requires.

[kygman]

What kind of work are you in now?

[timelesschild]

Elizabethtown is near Leitchfield, very pretty town, with a better economy and better access to Louisville. There is plenty of economic opportunity in Louisville.

It kind of depends on the line of work you are pursuing...

As for race issues: I have found in my life in Kentucky that overall, Kentuckians are calmer and more open-minded than Missourians and Ohians. Not sure why, just are.

[kentuckydad95]

There are race issues in...well...EVERYWHERE!!!

[nawog]

What nice Kentucky hospitality!

Originally Posted by tomocox

First of all if you are of African genealogy, stop calling yourself African-American. The boys who flew as the Tuskegee Airmen were American's without hyphens, therefore lower or separate class citizens. If you are dark skinned, so what? Let it go. Live at peace with yourself and your neighbors and you will be accepted in Kentucky. You may not be dinner guests, but you will be neighbors and neighbors are important in Kentucky.

If you want a job in Kentucky, there are jobs. If you are trained and capable and willing, you will be a highly demanded person. If you are uneducated, unskilled, and unwilling, then stay away until you are an asset to your family, your community, and yourself. We have enough welfare citizens as it is.

Tough talk, but you want the truth don't you? For if you know and understand the truth, you will be anything and anybody you wish to be in Kentucky. No excuses, just do what the job requires.

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by tomocox

First of all if you are of African genealogy, stop calling yourself African-American.

I think he has the right to call himself whatever he wants. JMHO

Leitchfield is a very small town. Frankly, I think a mixed race couple from Florida moving into Leitchfield would be viewed as an oddity. I'm not saying any hostility or ill will would be directed towards you, but you will always be that "mixed couple that moved in from the big city". Opportunities are not abundant outside of Louisville, Northern Kentucky, Bowling Green... The area around Bowling Green may give you that small town feel and it also has the lush, green environment (like basically everywhere in KY).

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by rnc76

I think he has the right to call himself whatever he wants. JMHO

Leitchfield is a very small town. Frankly, I think a mixed race couple from Florida moving into Leitchfield would be viewed as an oddity. I'm not saying any hostility or ill will would be directed towards you, but you will always be that "mixed couple that moved in from the big city". Opportunities are not abundant outside of Louisville, Northern Kentucky, Bowling Green... The area around Bowling Green may give you that small town feel and it also has the lush, green environment (like basically everywhere in KY).

If you want to be really close to Leitchfield, then don't do Leitchfield-Grayson Co. DO ELIZABETHTOWN! It's a small town of 22,000 with a Target, Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble, Home Depot, Sam's Club; Dixie Highway feels quite suburban but you can be in BFE in less than five minutes. And, it's a steadily growing community, so you'll be less likely to be perceived as that "mixed couple that moved in from the big city."

But, yeah, Louisville, Northern Kentucky, and to lesser extents Lexington and Bowling Green are the thriving, growing areas of Kentucky. Mixed couples shouldn't have much problem anywhere in Kentucky, but there will be much less stigma attached when living in our largest metro areas.

[tomocox]

Originally Posted by rnc76

I think he has the right to call himself whatever he wants. JMHO .....

I agree, a person may refer to themselves as anything they wish. I fully support that freedom, but if a person puts a gun to their own head wouldn't you try to get them to put it down?

The OP however was asking if he would "fit-in" in a less than metropolitan area of Kentucky. I guarantee you, I am from that part of the state and if he wants to be not only accepted but truly welcomed, he will need to make some changes. One is the resentment most people of my native area regarding hypocritical racism. We are an accepting people, just don't smash us in the face.

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by tomocox

I agree, a person may refer to themselves as anything they wish. I fully support that freedom, but if a person puts a gun to their own head wouldn't you try to get them to put it down?

Don't you think that is a little melodramatic? Calling yourself "African-American" is akin to attempting suicide??????? Get a grip. Are you implying that the poster would be in danger in Leitchfield if he refered to himself as African-American? I think you have helped him greatly in making his decision, he should thank you.