Are people in Rutland Massachusetts racists (Boston, Worcester: best town, low crime, home)

[Rossiepossie]

Hi everyone am new here .My spouse and I live in the Worcester area .we have come to realize that schools here are not that great and are hoping to move to rutland.we found a beautiful home and I went to see it today .But I got this bad vibe because we are surrounded by white folks. My spouse is An Er nurse whilst am a nurse practitioner. We are a Christian family and have always lived a quiet life.Should we go ahead and buy the home or look else where ..Your thoughts are very important to me as I dont want to plunge my children in a place where they wont feel welcomed. I have two black boys under ten and one girl who just turned 5 .Should I be worried ..thanks in advance for your replies..

[bitesize]

Most people in Massachusetts would not be dumb enough to be overly racist, but it's hard to say in your case. I assume that you're buying...? What's your budget?

[scorpio516]

No more than in Worcester proper. It is more conservative and richer. Not the best town west of Worcester, but far from the worst (I'd be more worried about trouble in Spencer than Rutland)

It's a Wachusset town. That high school is VERY white (88%), less than 2% of the kids in the school are black.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by scorpio516

No more than in Worcester proper. It is more conservative and richer. Not the best town west of Worcester, but far from the worst (I'd be more worried about trouble in Spencer than Rutland)

It's a Wachusset town. That high school is VERY white (88%), less than 2% of the kids in the school are black.

This would be my concern. Wachusett remains a competent school district, largely thanks to the higher income households residing in the towns like Sterling, but as you state it is super white. I wouldn't be overly concerned about overt racism, particularly among the majority of peers in school, but non-white students will definitely be a tiny minority within. I'm not sure I'd be okay with this as a parent of black boys ... I'm barely okay with it as the father of a white boy, but my wife and I have a diverse network which will hopefully provide some balance and perspective.

Shrewsbury would be an ideal environment as the district is very diverse (by MA standards) and excellent in general, but your dollars buy you far less RE. A lot less than Rutland.

Of the more affordable Worcester 'burbs, West Boylston is likely the most diverse without committing to Worcester schools. I believe it's around 4-5% African American, which is far higher than the Wachusett towns.

[The_General]

Did something happen?

[mdovell]

Unless they take Metco the vast majority of suburban school districts are majority white. Gateway cities are more diverse but the school district quality should be looked at.

I wouldn't say ALL of one area is racist. Heck I saw a guy with missing teeth playing with a unneutered dog with a Frisbee with a tree without limits in the background that had a confederate flag flying. I remember decades ago as a kid seeing one I think near the old Kmart in Rockland and then there's the huge trump flag I saw some business in the berkshires. The area in the berkshires was a hilltown so naturally they are more detached.

Racism takes different forms. Things like waving confederate flags and kkk stuff is one thing. Redlining financial access and blocking access is another. People saying words is one thing but look at actions when something happens.

[BostonBornMassMade]

I would say Probably. Most small all white towns in MA give me the same feeling.

If I were you I’d stay and Worcester. Just be involved in your child’s life and try to get them to go to the best schools Worcester has available at each level. If your doing your job, I’m sure the teachers are and you should be fine.

What exactly makes the schools not great? If it’s the social scene or your worried about the influences of other kids -Worcester has a very low crime rate so I don’t think I’d worry as much about those schools as Springfield Brockton or even Boston. it’s your call.

Or move to Framingham.

[BostonBornMassMade]

You ought to look at MA school district with higher black percentages tbh.. then find what one would fit.

[Rossiepossie]

Originally Posted by bitesize

Most people in Massachusetts would not be dumb enough to be overly racist, but it's hard to say in your case. I assume that you're buying...? What's your budget?

500 to 550 I guess?

[Rossiepossie]

Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade

You ought to look at MA school district with higher black percentages tbh.. then find what one would fit.

Well what do u think? Do u think schools with higher white percentages might be a bad fit for my boys?