What is the racial climate in MA? (Boston, Amherst: schools, university)

[maraj]

Originally Posted by 2KidsforMe

Just playing devil's advocate for a minute-does racial integration necessarily equal racial tolerance? I went to college in a major city out West, very, very diverse, but one of the most racially charged places I have ever been in my life! Racial issues were at the forefront of a majority of discussions, and mud was slug in every direction it seemed. Maybe I am missing something, but I just don't see that so much out here. However, I am not naive enough to believe that there are not ignorant intolerant fools here in MA, as well as everywhere else.

That's absolutely true, integration does not equal tolerance. I think instances of racism can come from simply being in contact, however loosely, with another race. I suppose it also depends on how one defines the term, "integration." It could simply be that a person goes to school with other races but they never actually speak to anyone of another race. There are many instances in which groups separate themselves in terms of their race, country of origin, language, etc. I've personally witnessed people develop stereotypes arguably as a result of this separation. A person may have never had any preconceived notions of people of a certain race or country of origin before they met or witnessed them and their behavior first hand. This is probably a way in which many stereotypes are formed, perceiving people from a distance, not interacting with others in a personal way. I think family also play a big part in how we perceive others. It also helps if you have had positive experiences with people of other races at a young age. Although it seems almost inevitable that many people will separate themselves when they become older.

[seldomseen]

The racial climate in Massachusetts as a whole is pleasant, meaning you probably won't experience many instances of constant, overt racial violence, bigotry or discrimination. The majority of racial issues will be covert in Massachusetts, as it pretty much is in other places nowadays. The biggest thing a minority (whites too) will probably notice about MA, is the lack of racial integration in MA's cities, and towns, especially if they are relocating here from areas that are more progressively integrated. Massachusetts also has a reputation as being an "all white" state, and known for having a lack of racial integration, especially for being a state is known for being socially liberal.

What's really sad is people really misunderstand the significance, and positives of racial integration--which is most likely the result of miseducation. The lack of it racial integration doesn't promote racial harmoney, and acceptance. When people of different races, ethnicities/cultures are integrated, and living amongst each other, they will learn from each other, and realize how similiar they really are, racial integration also helps to break down ingnoramous stereotypes about difference races/cultures too. This is especially true for children, and adolecents. The lack of racial integration is my biggest peeve about Masssachusetts besides this, it's really not a very bad state to live in.

[Sherry Tucker Brown]

Lived in Mass for 30 years! It has gotten a lot better than when we first moved here from NYC. You can really see the Browning of America. For the first time whites are in the minority in Boston. Boston even now has a night life. 30 years ago the sidewalks would roll up at 10 PM. Still not LA, NYC, Chicago, Atlanta or DC but gettin' better!!! What no one has mentioned is that Mass has an African American Governor! Only the second in the USA!!! As with all parts of the States there is still racism and priviledge that comes with it! Lawyers in Mass fair very well...many large, medium and suceesful firms.

[landrover06]

Originally Posted by b52

I think if you look for problems (anywhere) you will find them. Massachusetts is no worse or no better than the rest of Amerika. Unfortunately racism is a fact of life in this country. However, there are good people everywhere. I wouldn't let it's presence keep me from being where I want to be.

Yes, racism is everywhere, but to varying degrees. I personally am not interested in living in a place where the majority of the people are ignorant enough to take a negative view of me because I'm not white. I don't care what opportunities exist. I was never raised to even consider race as a factor in judging people and I don't raise my kids that way.

So it's not a matter of looking for problems. I don't want to spend a majority of my time tolerating ignorant attitudes. it's very simple, my friend.

[landrover06]

Originally Posted by MovingForward

It depends on where you live. For the most part, however, most people I know couldn't care less what your race is. Generally speaking, the more educated the community, the less racist fearfulness you will encounter. Cambridge, of course, is a no-brainer: Berkeley of the East Coast. I live in Arlington: same thing. Somerville and Medford: very diverse communities. I have a black friend who lives in Somerville (near Teele Square) and loves it: has no problems at all. South Boston or East Boston might be a problem. But they might not. It's really hard to say.

Here are a couple of links that might be of interest to you:

Moving beyond racism - Boston.com
21st Century Black Massachusetts Conference (http://www.21blackma.org/home.cfm - broken link)

Please come to Boston. We're experiencing something of a brain drain, since so many people are leaving for cheaper shores. We need all the brainpower we can get!

Thank you for this very helpful information.

[willdufauve]

The most racist area of Massachusetts is Franklin County - which also happens to be the poorest county in Massachusetts. No surprise!

The worst towns racially, even though there are very few minorities in Franklin County, are Greenfield, Turners Falls, Orange, Conway, Colrain, Deerfield, Northfield.

There's also a lot of anti-semitism in redneck Franklin County. The dumbest of the rednecks send their kids to Franklin County Technical School, the county trade school located in Turners Falls.

I live in Greenfield, the county seat..high crime rate, hard drugs, incest, teen pregnancy, poverty, general stupidity, and ignorant backwards multi- generational entrenched racism. The biggest issue to these rubes and hicks in Greenfield is they want a Wal-Mart and can't get one.

Greenfield & Franklin County....very creepy place.

[cousinsal]

I live on the North Shore, in Salem. Salem is a pretty good place, although mostly white, with some Dominicans. I have one black friend, a guy who gets mistaken for hispanic and people start talking to him in Spanish - he's from Milwaukee! So, that goes to show that there aren't many of what we'd call African-Americans in Salem.

However, it's known as a pretty liberal city - and there's a lot going on - besides the tourist trade with the witches, there are a lot of groups to join that deal with conservation (all the old buildings which are being saved), a hospital that has a lot of groups to join (I'm in the diet group!), beautiful parks on the water, Salem State College where all the liberals teach (lol), beautiful little shops and restaurants, good police presence, low crime, and on and on. I've lived there for 25 years, and I like it very much.

If I were looking for a place to live, I'd go on the internet and look at the demographics of all the towns around Boston. That will tell you something, in terms of density of population, what kind of population, what the education level is, how the schools rank, how the housing market is, etc.

[willdufauve]

I grew up on the north shore and regret leaving that area. Salem is cool, like cousinsal says.

The east coast of Massachusetts, inside the 495/128 beltway, is a very different social climate and economy from the rural western part of the state. There's more sophistication about many things including race, education, social values, on the coast. The tradeoff is higher cost to buy a house.

The hill towns of Franklin County are, well...hill towns. Appalachia, but in New England. Cheaper to buy, lower standards and expectations.

[teachertype]

I know the schools are pretty bad in Franklin County. Lack of education and racism seem to go hand in hand.You hate to see problems but Greenfield was always like that for racism going way back.

[lorilou]

Landrover,
we are a multiracial family who recently moved to Franklin. We have not experienced anything but kind acceptance. If you come here (MA), you must be ready to accept the simple fact that most of MA, outside of Boston, has a majority white population. Being half white and half black, I have no problem with that. Half of my family are white and I love them! If you are moving here from a racially diverse community, you will initially be shocked! However, I still believe that good people--of any color or religion--attract other good people. That, thank God, has always been my experience...even in the south. I wish you luck in your search for a new home. Just avoid the areas mentioned by the knowledable posters in this thread, and you will be fine.
lorilou