Will I fit in? African Americans in Knoxville... (Jackson, Oak Ridge: houses, condo)

[Indychic]

So, I've been reading other posts regarding diversity, racism, etc. in the Knoxville area. However, many seem to be about Latino or bi-racial concerns. Nevertheless, diversity/racism issues are important to me because I need to know what I'm facing before I move down. I'm a 25 year old, African-American female moving to Knoxville (from Indianapolis) to attend UTK. I was accepted into a PhD program at the university with an offer I couldn't turn down (full ride, nice stipend, paid healthcare, etc.). Because of how competitive these programs are - I wasn't going to turn down an invitation to earn my degree simply due to location. And...I LOVE GATLINBURG!

However, my friends and people I've talked to seem to think that I'm completely in the dark about the status of racism in TN. I am very liberal and sometimes forget that others aren't. My friends who have family who've lived in Knoxville have warned me about living on the West end of Knoxville because they wouldn't "welcome my kind," over there. This was shocking! Are they serious? I've heard that the East end of Knoxville isn't the most pleasant place to live...but, I've been TOLD that because I'm black...I may feel most comfortable over there?!?! I'm definitely NOT from the "hood" and probably wouldn't feel safe over there just because I'm black. On what side of town do many working, professional African-American's reside? I see that the poverty rates for African-Americans is over 50% in the area! WOW! Are there not many working, professional African-American's in the area?

Basically, I'm coming to Knoxville regardless of the status of diversity. However, as an African American female, I'd like to know what I'm REALLY facing. On my visit to Knoxville, I thought everything went okay & that the area was decent. But, most of the trip was interviews & tours of campus - so I didn't see a lot of the natives and surrounding area. Hence, why I'm happy I found this website!

I think my concerns are also stemming from a weird experience I had on my visit: A woman working at an airport gift shop was sort of rude to me & the kicker was that she didn't grab the money I was holding out to give her. She just looked at me. So, I placed the money on the counter and then she picked it up! I've never experienced anything so rude in my life! At the time, I chalked it up to her having a bad day...or maybe she didn't see that I was holding out my payment. In retrospect though...I wonder.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on African Americans in the Knoxville area, sides of town to inhabit (or not), culture in general, things to do, etc. I'm very excited about my move down to better weather - and nothing is going to thwart that happiness! LOL. But, honest thoughts are appreciated.

[knoxmomma]

Indy,

Like all cities I'm sure there is some racism in Knoxville but I certainly don't think our city is any different from any other city. I live in West Knoxville and we have two wonderful African-American families on our street. They come to all the neighborhood events and host their own events that are well attended. All of our kids play together. I've never heard one word from any of the neighbors. I know this sounds cliche, but one of our best friends is a young, female, African American UT professor fresh out of her PhD program. I think we are close enough that she would have said something to me if she had ever had a negative experience.

If you are going to be at UT I would strongly consider living downtown in an apt/condo. Lots of young, independent, active people in the area, lots to do (non-chain restaurants, coffee houses, bars, clubs, movie theaters, etc) and close enough to most UT buildings to walk. You could also consider renting a house in Sequoyah Hills. You'll see a lot of people saying that Sequoyah is stuffy or snobby, but there are 4000 people that live in the neighborhood and obviously not all of them are millionaires. Lots of smaller houses to rent and LOTS of UT faculty there. Nice park and boulevard where people jog and bike.

I wouldn't put to much stock in the airport experience. I fly a lot, am white, and am routinely treated like dirt at that gift shop.

[knoxgarden]

I think I've dealt with that same gift shop worker. She's just rude. You meet people like that everywhere.
I live in a condo on the west side that has a good mix of black, hispanic and whites of all ages. Some rent, some own, some are students. There's an elderly black woman down a couple of doors down, mixed couple above me. Everyone is friendly.
You may have some negative experiences just like you do where you are now. The South has no monopoly on prejudice.
You might want to consider sharing a place to start. Check out the ads in Metropulse for things close to UT as well as downtown. There are free trolleys that run around downtown and to UT.
Metro Pulse: Knoxville News, Issues, Entertainment, Culture, People

[RangerDuke08]

Hi there what program will you be doing at UTK? I'm pretty sure Knoxville has more African-Americans than Indianapolis last time I checked. I've been to both. Also Southerners are very friendly but if you consider and treat yourself like an out of towner, that goes for anywhere South, Midwest, North, West unfortunately they will look at you like an out of towner.

[hiknapster]

West Knoxville is, as a collective whole, prejudiced? That's a new one. There are lots of transplants that come from all over the country and live in west Knoxville.

There are racists everywhere in this world. The ones around here seem to be out more in the country, but with it's suburban sprawl, west Knoxville is no longer "country."

Tennessee is not a liberal state, and Knoxville certainly leans conservative, but being a liberal shouldn't pose a problem. I'm one and they haven't run me out, yet.

First of all, I am appalled that your friends would suggest that you would be more "comfortable" in East Knoxville. How dare they? I'll tell you what, I've encountered more racists from the towns and farms of the midwest than anywhere else.

This is just the opinion of a white-Massachusetts liberal with lots of Knoxville friends of every hue.

Welcome to Knoxville!

[JMT]

I think the previous posts are right on.

If you really want to find racism in Knoxville, you'll find it. You'll find it in Indianapolis, too. You'll find it in Boston, London, Paris, Tokyo, even Berkeley.

I live in a very mixed neighborhood in North Knoxville. I attend a Mormon church in Fountain City which has quite a few African American members. Everyone gets along just fine, the kids all play together, the teenagers go out together, the families socialize together at each other's homes.

As for the lady at the airport who wouldn't take money right out of your hand, I wouldn't read anything into that. My dad doesn't like taking money directly out of people's hands, either, no matter the color of their skin. When he pays a cashier he always puts the money on the counter rather than giving it directly to the cashier. Besides, one surly cashier is not representative of an entire region.

Where on earth did you read that over 50% of Knoxville area's African Americans live in poverty?? According to the diversitydata.org, the poverty rate among African Americans in the Knoxville area is 31.1 percent. That's still waaayyy too high but certainly better than 50%.

Indychic, I laughed and rolled my eyes when I read your question, "On what side of town do many working, professional African-American's reside?" Jesse Jackson once said Chicago is the most racially divided city in the country because of what you just asked. African Americans in Knoxville aren't confined to just certain parts of town, no matter their income bracket.

East Knoxville is predominantly African American, but in many cases it's because that's where they choose to live. One of the African Americans at my church in Fountain City lives in East Knoxville, but he's an engineer at the nuclear labs in Oak Ridge. He could easily afford to live anywhere he wants, and anyone would be fortunate to have him and his wife as neighbors. They just prefer to live among other African Americans. And I honestly don't know why that's such a bad thing.

[jabogitlu]

I think it's possible that people of certain cultures (note = not races, or colors, but cultures) prefer certain areas of cities. I'm a white guy, but I'd prefer about 2000% to live somewhere east of Bearden rather than in West Knox.

No, you'll not find any more racism in Knoxville than anywhere else in the US. You'll probably find that among the UTK population overall, there is a larger number of conservative students than compared to other similar sized institutions, but this probably won't hold true solely among the graduate students. All of my professors leaned waaaaaay liberal and I had no trouble finding liberal friends. (Of course, I befriended a few Republicans, too, but... )

[creeksitter]

I'd rather you start by telling us what you are looking for in the way of an ideal apartment/ neighborhood and then say "BTW I'm black and don't want an area where I'll be treated with disrespect".

[Indychic]

Originally Posted by JMT

Where on earth did you read that over 50% of Knoxville area's African Americans live in poverty?? According to the diversitydata.org, the poverty rate among African Americans in the Knoxville area is 31.1 percent. That's still waaayyy too high but certainly better than 50%.

JMT - I got this information from this website that we're on (City-Data): http://www.city-data.com/city/Knoxville-Tennessee.html. It reports: Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2005: 25.0% (19.1% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 52.8% for Black residents)

Originally Posted by JMT

Indychic, I laughed and rolled my eyes when I read your question, "On what side of town do many working, professional African-American's reside?" Jesse Jackson once said Chicago is the most racially divided city in the country because of what you just asked. African Americans in Knoxville aren't confined to just certain parts of town, no matter their income bracket.

Clearly, I understand that we "can" live anywhere. Even still - I can give a rather clear answer to that question regarding the Indianapolis area. This phenomenon sort of speaks to what you mention below. I don't know why African Americans choosing to live among other African Americans would be percieved as a bad thing either - hmmm. But, I do support a more diverse neighborhood. Nevertheless, when the East-end of Knox was presented to me, it wasn't presented as an area where professional African Americans reside...instead it was presented as an area full of poverty and crime. So, I was looking for clarity. Thanks!

Originally Posted by JMT

East Knoxville is predominantly African American, but in many cases it's because that's where they choose to live. One of the African Americans at my church in Fountain City lives in East Knoxville, but he's an engineer at the nuclear labs in Oak Ridge. He could easily afford to live anywhere he wants, and anyone would be fortunate to have him and his wife as neighbors. They just prefer to live among other African Americans. And I honestly don't know why that's such a bad thing.

[SmokyMtnGal]

I would like to remind everyone of a very important fact. When you look at data on an area one needs to make sure that they are looking at city or regional data. Knoxville proper is quoted on this site but remember that the Knoxville area demographics are extremely different than the city demographics.

There is so much more to Knoxville than just what is in side the 90+ square miles of the city.