Collierville ok for Interracial Relationship? (Memphis, Bartlett: houses, good schools, gated)

[tennreb]

Originally Posted by allicat3

Hello everyone, my husband and I are looking to move to the Germantown or Collierville area (for his job) I'm African American and he is White, we have a son who is 3 and we want to make sure that we move somewhere we'll be safe, with awsome schools, and our relationship won't be a problem (yes I know there is no where in the world that it wouldn't be a problem for someone) and a area that is safe to raise our little family. We currently live in Cumming Georgia, which some of you may have heard of from back in the 80's when Oprah visited to protest the KKK, I haven't had any problems here it hasn't 100% changed since then but there for sure has been a change. I appreciate your help and honesty this is a important decision and I want to have all the info I can to help us make the best choice. Thanks again!

Collierville is just like every northern Atlanta suburb. It looks the same, and the people are the same. There are plenty of racists, but they are too polite to say anything, which may be good or bad.

[Wings]

Originally Posted by allicat3

Hello everyone, my husband and I are looking to move to the Germantown or Collierville area (for his job) I'm African American and he is White, we have a son who is 3 and we want to make sure that we move somewhere we'll be safe, with awsome schools, and our relationship won't be a problem (yes I know there is no where in the world that it wouldn't be a problem for someone) and a area that is safe to raise our little family. We currently live in Cumming Georgia, which some of you may have heard of from back in the 80's when Oprah visited to protest the KKK, I haven't had any problems here it hasn't 100% changed since then but there for sure has been a change. I appreciate your help and honesty this is a important decision and I want to have all the info I can to help us make the best choice. Thanks again!

How did things work out for you? My wife and I are in the same situation and also are leaning toward Collierville. We have two kids so don't want any problems in the schools.

[crysalis]

Colliervile is mostly white people. While they may not say anything to your face about being an interracial couple you most likely will have trouble fitting in and making friends. It's actually like this all over Memphis when it comes to mixed couples.
Just being honest here.
Oh and I know because I'm caucasian and my husband is Asian and we have been through hell with the discrimination and sadly it's my children who get the comments from other children who of course are learning from their parents example. My kids have been made fun of and called names. Even my friends here from before i met my husband told me I would have problems once I started dating my now husband. I didn't believe them at the time but boy were they right!
We are now looking into moving to another state.

[chuck1229]

I can't speak for everyone, but I do know a few mixed couples in Collierville. In one case, they have two childern and they are well accepted in the schools and in their respective sports organizations. The mom is a volunteer with the girls basketball team. Mom and dad are both good people and I have never heard anything from them about this issue.

[MickG]

thank you. that helps out alot.

[Wings]

We've been in Collierville for two months now with no problems in this regard. I'm white my wife is black and we have 2 girls in public schools. There are a fair number of black kids in both schools and plenty of Asians. Not sure how many mixed. My theory on interracial relationships is that if the man is the minority in the community then you will have more problems than if the woman is which may be why crysalis has had more problems then we have had. I do hear general racist comments from many people in the Memphis area of all colors. Although some of this is just the usual ignorance the Memphis mayor (who is black) likes to use racial divisions to stay in power. The county mayor (who is also black) doesn't do this and appears to be well-respected by all races.

Personally I wouldn't stay away from Collierville on this issue but you do need to be aware of the black/white tension that exisits in the overall Memphis area.

[chuck1229]

Originally Posted by Wings

We've been in Collierville for two months now with no problems in this regard. I'm white my wife is black and we have 2 girls in public schools. There are a fair number of black kids in both schools and plenty of Asians. Not sure how many mixed. My theory on interracial relationships is that if the man is the minority in the community then you will have more problems than if the woman is which may be why crysalis has had more problems then we have had. I do hear general racist comments from many people in the Memphis area of all colors. Although some of this is just the usual ignorance the Memphis mayor (who is black) likes to use racial divisions to stay in power. The county mayor (who is also black) doesn't do this and appears to be well-respected by all races.

Personally I wouldn't stay away from Collierville on this issue but you do need to be aware of the black/white tension that exisits in the overall Memphis area.

I really don't see a black/white issue in some of the newer communities, where the people are more upscale, and they have a live and let live attitude. Its the old southern areas and groups that tend to keep the issue alive for self serving purposes.

Fairness and goodness in politics, forget it, won't see it there any time soon.

[pinklynn]

i live in Collierville and I believe you would have no problem here. Although it is predominately white there are all kinds of races here. Fed Ex has a large station here so there are many professionals that have moved here from different areas. The schools are great and I think you will love it!

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by crysalis

Colliervile is mostly white people. While they may not say anything to your face about being an interracial couple you most likely will have trouble fitting in and making friends. It's actually like this all over Memphis when it comes to mixed couples.
Just being honest here.
Oh and I know because I'm caucasian and my husband is Asian and we have been through hell with the discrimination and sadly it's my children who get the comments from other children who of course are learning from their parents example. My kids have been made fun of and called names. Even my friends here from before i met my husband told me I would have problems once I started dating my now husband. I didn't believe them at the time but boy were they right!
We are now looking into moving to another state.

I am so sorry that you are having these types of problems. I have noticed that native Memphians and other small town midsoutherners have a "stick with your own kind mentality". The scary part is they will not voice it to your face because they know its wrong. They will hide behind their bibles and churches and talk about you behind your back. The children I guess will hear them talking within the home and have no decernment between right and wrong so they bring it out at school and the children hear it.

My friend is black and he's married to an asian. When he comes to town they always leave with a bad taste in their mouth due to the stares and sometimes nasty comments they get from black women.

[chuck1229]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

I am so sorry that you are having these types of problems. I have noticed that native Memphians and other small town midsoutherners have a "stick with your own kind mentality". The scary part is they will not voice it to your face because they know its wrong. They will hide behind their bibles and churches and talk about you behind your back. The children I guess will hear them talking within the home and have no decernment between right and wrong so they bring it out at school and the children hear it.

My friend is black and he's married to an asian. When he comes to town they always leave with a bad taste in their mouth due to the stares and sometimes nasty comments they get from black women.

So people don't like it when people say things to their face, and they don't like it when they think people are thinking that they may be thinking,,, even though they may not even be thinking about what you think they are thinking about.

So paranoia steps in, breeding hate and mistrust when in fact there may be nothing too it. I too look at things a bit closer when they seem out of place, like when a bull was loose in my neighborhood, or even at a mix racial couple, not however to be critical, but just because uniqueness of the situation.

Of course, as a phtoographer, I just may see things a bit more clearly than some, but I also have a very open mind and understand the value of diversity.

Just my $1.00 worth of thoughts for today. Well beyond my $.02.