Mixed neighbourhoods in Shreveport/Bossier?

[hindsight2020]

Originally Posted by North1

To me it's not very integrated here. I was actually "warned" by coworkers not to mix with other races. I'm still working on finding it but supposedly there are open minded groups that are progressive. I'll admit I've only been here a few months but it's been a shock.

For nice areas to live, South Shreveport off of Ellerbe is our preference. My husband works in South Bossier and the commute is easy for him. Going from Bossier to Shreveport (if you live on the south side) can be a challenge. Housing is pretty reasonable but older - 70's and 80's - and needs updating. There are some new developments that we were told lots of military families and college residents purchase.

That's the irony of the week. Ellerbe proper is the most apartheid part of Shreveport you could have come up with, yet it happens to be your area of preference? You can't sing the praises of an area where you choose to live and simultaneously criticize its lack of racial diversity when, whether you like to admit it or not, said desirable qualities are a direct functions of the very lack of racial diversity you find reprehensible.

As to the racial dynamics of the south compared to the midwest, sbcmetro hit in the head. The midwest is actually quite a closet racist society who rides on its lack of minorities per capita as their claim that they are "less racist" than the south. It's pure math, you can't argue you're not racist when there are no black people around you, you have no stake. The same argument is true of New England states such as Maine et al.

It's the south, racial relations have been what they have been. But do not think for a second that Midwestern states are more racially progressive, because all they got going for them is straight up less minorities per capita, don't mistake the two.

[EtherBunster]

We live near the base and there's quite a bit of diversity in our neighborhood. While a lot of the folks here are active or retired military, there are many others who have settled here for other reasons. I've found all the people that I've met in our neighborhood to be friendly and comfortable living together.

[North1]

Okay - the comments all came from long time residents that I work with. I didn't ask - the comments were offered as "good" advice for fitting in here. I won't be socializing much with coworkers.

As far as where we live, it has to do with the best commutes for us both and getting the best home for the money. We looked at South Bossier and houses cost more for less sq ft & yard. It also reminded us way to much of living behind levees and a flood plain. I'm totally freaked about that so we decided against it. We usually don't spend much time at home - always doing something so the neighborhood was not where we expected to make friends.

I'll admit there are racists in the Midwest and yes a lot are closet. But I think part of that is you don't discuss personal views with whoever. So maybe my gripe is that people aren't considerate enough to keep their views to themselves.