I want to know Madison

[Milwaukee City]

it is far more accepting and tolerant of outside cultures than most other cities I've lived in.

How do you know? did those other cities tell you "well were just not gonna accept them".

Does Madison have some sort of "welcoming committee" for everyone who isn't white?

How do people know Madison is sooo accepting of other races? is there a poll that goes out every year that lets you know? Just because a city is 100% liberal doesn't automatically mean they are an accepting city after all Madison is still a small town that is 90% white. If they were so accepting don't you think that after all these years the demos would start to change and some of those "non-whites" would stay in Madison after they graduate college? Oh that's right there to busy accepting high paying jobs in Chicago, Twin Cities and Milwaukee.

[subclavius]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

How do you know? did those other cities tell you "well were just not gonna accept them".

Yes, that is quite literally the case for Cleveland, Chicago, Houston, Miami, and Nashville as far as the white middle class acceptance of any local non-white culture. You hit the nail right on the head. It's funny though, I never heard anything like that in Madison.

Moderator cut: comment on poster

[Milwaukee City]

I'm not intolerant I live in Milwaukee in a GAY area with gay bars and Mexicans/blacks/whites/poles/Iraqis. I have lived in NY, Miami, Chicago, Houston. I'm just sick of people assuming there town is accepting when they have no idea, they would have to ask every minority in the city if they felt accepted. I have heard time and time again from my black friends that Madison is not accepting of blacks and actually there's even a joke about it mentioning somewhat to the effect that Madison is for the W's(whites). I have heard the same thing from a couple of my friends from Pakistan/ Azerbaijan that they didn't have a good experience in Madison, they now live in Chicago. You see when your city is accepting of other races you don't even notice them and its not even an issue for your city(ie Milwaukee or any other big city)since they have been here since the 60's. We here in the Milwaukee just go about our biz and don't even notice them because minorities in Milwaukee are more common than the white man. We also don't feel the need to tell everyone and their mother everyday how special we are cuz we are accepting. Its not a chip just a pet peeve. I thought race wasn't supposed to matter but yet the only people that keep bringing it up are the latte liberals. I love where I live and I love my neighbors and not just because their from a different country.

[Drover]

Yeah, Chicago is so unaccepting of minorities that they make up fully 2/3rds of the city's population.

[Milwaukee City]

Small towns like Madison will be less accepting of other races than cities like Milwaukee, Chicago and you don't hear us "yelling "were so diverse" from the mountain tops". No matter how big the university is.

[gold*dust1]

Yep I have to agree with Milwaukee City on his view that it is a pet peeve, not a chip on his shoulder. I agree that cities that are truly accepting don't need to announce it as though it is unique. Subclavius I would say you couldn't have gotten around that much to make such a blanket statement concerning the entire city.

There have been racial issues in all the high schools; read the newspaper. The places deemed most undesirable to live are the most highly populated by races other than whites. Sorry, but even our local media has commented on all the transplants from Chicago and some of the problems it created.

This city is still primarily white, and you can't speak for what race relation conversation everyone in the city has when they sit down for dinner. I btw look at the person, not the race.

[Indi9]

Hmmm... Such an interesting thread. My experience as a Black American woman, who is about to move back to Madison from New York City, has been pretty balanced. Meaning that people are people. Some are genuinely welcoming. Some are accepting or "tolerant." Some are trying but still being covertly or unconsciously racist. A few are blatantly racist. I don't it's fair or possible to categorize Madison in terms of one monolithic racial mindset. I love Madison, warts and all: the beauty, the aliveness, the cafes, the restaurants, the bookstores, the theatres, the music, the lakes, etc. My eyes are wide open, my mind is wide open, and what I know after twelve years of living in New York City (which is extremely diverse) is that it's not about the numbers. It's about knowing that there are all kinds of people in Madison (or elsewhere) and that it is up to each one of us, imo, to tune in and discern for ourselves who is or is not in our corner. I always have a great time in Madison. I plan to move back to Madison in August, and tomorrow I will be on that plane back to Madison in order to celebrate the New Year. I just don't pay much attention to people who haven't learned yet to at least be tolerant, unless I have to set a boundary or speak up about a situation--which is rare. My time and energy are given to those who see me as a person--not as a "problem" or, heaven forbid, a "token." Who needs that? Yuck... lol

[gold*dust1]

Originally Posted by Indi9

Hmmm... Such an interesting thread. My experience as a Black American woman, who is about to move back to Madison from New York City, has been pretty balanced. Meaning that people are people. Some are genuinely welcoming. Some are accepting or "tolerant." Some are trying but still being covertly or unconsciously racist. A few are blatantly racist. I don't it's fair or possible to categorize Madison in terms of one monolithic racial mindset. I love Madison, warts and all: the beauty, the aliveness, the cafes, the restaurants, the bookstores, the theatres, the music, the lakes, etc. My eyes are wide open, my mind is wide open, and what I know after twelve years of living in New York City (which is extremely diverse) is that it's not about the numbers. It's about knowing that there are all kinds of people in Madison (or elsewhere) and that it is up to each one of us, imo, to tune in and discern for ourselves who is or is not in our corner. I always have a great time in Madison. I plan to move back to Madison in August, and tomorrow I will be on that plane back to Madison in order to celebrate the New Year. I just don't pay much attention to people who haven't learned yet to at least be tolerant, unless I have to set a boundary or speak up about a situation--which is rare. My time and energy is given to those who see me as a person--not as a "problem" or, heaven forbid, a "token." Who needs that? Yuck... lol

Beautifully said Indi! I give you props for choosing our city over one of the highest rated.

[Indi9]

Originally Posted by gold*dust1

Beautifully said Indi! I give you props for choosing our city over one of the highest rated.

Thank you, gold*dust. It was a tough decision, but my trip back to Madison this past June did it for me. I only wish I could move back there sooner. Ah well... Thus my little getaways in the interim. Cheers...

[gold*dust1]

Originally Posted by Indi9

Thank you, gold*dust. It was a tough decision, but my trip back to Madison this past June did it for me. I only wish I could move back there sooner. Ah well... Thus my little getaways in the interim. Cheers...

Well hope you have a GREAT NEW YEARS, and that the weather cooperates for ya!