diversity (Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Holland: travel, job, crime)

[geenah03]

hello all,

I've been reading the many posts/threads and have found questions regarding diversity and racism in MI... My family is a mixed race family (asian/hispanic) and we live in CA for the moment. As with my previous post, we are looking to move to the GR area because my husband is getting a job out there. Can anyone truthfully answer this question for me about life there, diversity and racism without worrying too much about being too PC? I didn't think about this topic too much in the beginning cause I didn't think it would be that big of a concern. I know people will continue to have their own beliefs and view point on diversity, however, I am now starting to think about the possible communities that I might want to avoid for the safety, dignity and respect of my family as a whole. Most of the posts I have received have many wonderful replies about the area and I even received one personally that said that everyone in the GR area is friendly. Any posts would be greatly appreciated...Thanks in advance to everyone.

[B-bear]

Your family will not have a problem in GR as there are many Hispanic and Asian people living around there. The GR area is sort of the capitol of the Michigan "bible belt" and people for the most part are very friendly. Any areas that you may want to avoid have nothing to do with race, just crime. All in all though, the GR area is a very nice and very safe. I wishI could could move around there for my job!

[magellan]

Geenah, there was another thread about diversity in Grand Rapids a few months ago that got quite a few responses:

Grand Rapids Area -- Diversity?

Honestly I can't tell you what it would be like because my wife and I are both caucasian (Irish). We have several mixed-race couples in our neighborhood (Forest Hills) and they are both very active in the neighborhood social scene.

[geenah03]

Thank you both for your replies... as I've said, I didn't think it would really be an issue so it's quite nice to get positive postings. Hopefully in the event that we do move out there, we'll get friendly, accepting, normal neighbors like you guys. Thanks again! Much appreciated!

[YoAdrian]

Originally Posted by B-bear

Your family will not have a problem in GR as there are many Hispanic and Asian people living around there. The GR area is sort of the capitol of the Michigan "bible belt" and people for the most part are very friendly. Any areas that you may want to avoid have nothing to do with race, just crime. All in all though, the GR area is a very nice and very safe. I wishI could could move around there for my job!

I'll second this post. In all the time I spent in GR, I never saw or heard of any serious racial/ethnic strife. It's generally a pretty nice area.

[LaurenRoss]

GR is great. We are an AA couple with 2 kids. We lived in Kalamazoo and we would always go to GR to get a feel for diversity. But anything further north of GR is a NO-NO. I traveled to Pellston one time and honestly was a little uncomfortable - but maybe it was just me. Enjoy GR!

[deslok]

GR is diverse I suppose for as much as West Michigan can be. But, like another poster said, the surrounding areas are not. ( Holland, Zeeland, etc..)
GR is very conservative though, and the whole bible belt thing can be used against minorities from time to time. Nothing too serious, just little comments here and there. Enjoy.

[geenah03]

are any of you who have posted on this thread a member of the minority?

[B-bear]

Originally Posted by geenah03

are any of you who have posted on this thread a member of the minority?

I'm am not (white) but I am friends with people in GR who are black, Hispanic, and Asian and I have never heard anyone of them ever say a thing in regards to any racism towards them.