Lafayette -- tolerance? (New Orleans: middle-class, neighborhoods, school)

[truebluexf]

Just wondering what the religious tolerance is like in the area. I'm Jewish, my husband is Christian...there's no crazy KKK action in the area, is there?

[SBCmetroguy]

Seriously... the deep south sure does seem to have a bad reputation based on things of the past. Lafayette is fine, as are all of Louisiana's major cities.

Just be careful in really small towns. Some people in many of those tiny towns aren't very tolerant and live in the past.

[DeLaSalle]

Originally Posted by truebluexf

Just wondering what the religious tolerance is like in the area. I'm Jewish, my husband is Christian...there's no crazy KKK action in the area, is there?

You mean those "Crazy Cajuns"...Acadiennes...

Lafayette is beatiful AND historic...
99% Catholic, We Accept all...

[truebluexf]

LOL Ok, I didn't mean to sound ignorant or anything...I looked around online, and did see a cross-burning somewhere out there that was tried in Lafayette, so I'm not nuts...I know these things happen still here and there. I was pretty certain it would be ok in Lafayette, but I had to check! And hey, my husband is from Tennessee, so I really don't think poorly of the south.

[IloveNOLA]

Originally Posted by truebluexf

Just wondering what the religious tolerance is like in the area. I'm Jewish, my husband is Christian...there's no crazy KKK action in the area, is there?

Lafayette is a very tolerant, progressive city. You will find that Cajuns (Lafeyette is the heart of the Cajun triangle) are very friendly and warm people.

[Phil75230]

After doing research on the nation's location paterns concerning lesbigay groups and Nader voters, Lafayette seems pretty tolerant for Louisiana (with the obvious exception of New Orleans). Even so, you shouldn't expect Berkeley, or even small city New England. Like most other medium sized cities or larger, Lafayette does have tolerant people, although this being Middle America (of a fashion), you will find your share of narrow intolerant types.

My basic advice: If at all possible, live in the city's older middle-class neighborhoods with interesting architecture (i.e. pre-World War II areas not abandoned by the middle class). The immediate area around the University of Louisiana-Lafayette (ULL) might also be an option for you.

[tammyabear]

No, don't think you'll find anything here but, fun-loving cajuns!

[larice]

there isn't a big Jewish community, (nor protestant for that matter). I did have a jewish friend there whose kids attended the episcopal school. it's a large catholic community that is extremely friendly.

[holloway1010]

Most of south Louisiana is Catholic, and most of the Protestants are Black. Both groups that were targeted by the KKK, thats why it never really got far off the ground in South Louisiana because these two groups made up the majority by alot.

[Parrish213]

I find my city to be very accepting of anyone's religion. We have a Jewish cemetary off of Univeristy. many people drive by it daily and don't realize it is even there but it is beautiful. Most people dont judge in this town and if they do, as with the rest of the world, it is there loss.