African American family may be relocating to Milwaukee- need advice (Wauwatosa: house, unemployment rate)

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by amerifree

I've never seen racism as bad as in Wisconsin. It's disgusting.

How many places have you been to?

[sconnielove]

I don't mean to disrespect anyone or undermine your experiences with racism in Milwaukee, especially since I'm white, but I feel like most northern urban areas are the same way...it's unfortunate, but definitely not limited to Milwaukee. Growing up in Wisconsin, I hate the bad rap Milwaukee gets for this. There are more blacks than whites in the city of Milwaukee and maybe the community as a whole wouldn't get such a bad rep if there wasn't so much crime in the "black areas of Milwaukee." Wonder why there's urban flight or segregation in the Milwaukee area? Go north of downtown and you'll see why. Go to the Southside of Chicago or Northeast Minneapolis. What's the common denominator? They're all highly concentrated black areas. My girlfriend is a grade school teacher on the south side of Chicago and had the worst year ever because of the people that live in the area and go to the school. Why would ANYONE want to move into those areas if they didn't have to?!? This is why cities become segregated. Why this may seem "racist" to many people, it's a fact! Look up crime rates and the corresponding demographics of the people that live in the area. Why does Atlanta seem more appealing to blacks than Milwaukee...just because there's a higher percentage (53% to 39%) of blacks? There's also more crime in Atlanta...coincidence? Maybe people (regardless of their race) should take accountability for themselves and stop blaming a region or city for their problems. It's not the city, it's you. Milwaukee is a great place and I hate to see it badmouthed by ignorant people who don't understand why it is the way it is. Look around you and start making a change!

[barajaj]

i don't see any racism, it's not the city's fault african americans tend to lower housing values, and not to mention ruin summerfest/state fair

[cfbs2691]

Good Grief!
I grew up in Milwaukee and moved away 17 years ago.
I've been considering moving back but had COMPLETELY forgotten about the black/white tensions there.
Are there any groups trying to stop the madness and unite the city or?

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by barajaj

i don't see any racism, it's not the city's fault african americans tend to lower housing values, and not to mention ruin summerfest/state fair

I never said it was anyone's fault. However, judging by your post, you seem to stereotype people.

Let me tell you this. It isn't the fault of decent, law abiding African-Americans that a certain segment of the African-American population is doing stupid things like ruin summerfest/the state fair.

In fact, if there is one thing to address is this. Why is Milwaukee losing alot of its educated Blacks to other cities like Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte, even Chicago? Ask yourself that for a moment. This is NOT a rhetorical question. I'm looking for your answer to this question.

[gapratcher]

I am completely blown away by the comments made on both sides of this argument. I am a white female married to a black male. We are both active duty in the military and that is what brought us to Milwaukee. And we LOVE it here. I grew up in St. Louis, MO and he grew up in a small town south of there. We have also been station in Philadelphia and **NEWS FLASH PEOPLE** There is racism, segregation, and HATE EVERYWHERE! There are hoods and ghettos everywhere along with uppity, snooty neighborhoods. People just choose to pinpoint the things they see and make it to be a bigger deal then it is and point fingers. I saw more segregation in areas in Philly, and more racism in St. Louis. FROM BOTH SIDES.

(Keep in mind that I have obviously dealt with racism from both blacks and whites being of german and hispanic decent, who went to a predominantly black school, and married a well spoken black man. Also, my husband has dealt with racism from both races for being a literate black male who married a white girl.)

Milwaukee has its same issues as everywhere else, and I and close friends with people from the south such as Louisiana, Mississippi and Georgia who had more racist issues than I have every experienced here. We plan on buying a house and staying in Wisconsin for the long haul, because we honestly feel that we can find a great area in the city to raise our children in that DOESN'T place them in a situation where they will be forced into gangs like I grew up. And also offers great places to go and things to do, and housing is affordable.

We have never gotten weird looks or comments when we are together. We have been all over, including brookfield and yes, we went to summerfest and the state fair HOLDING HANDS AND GIVING EACH OTHER KISSES with not a single comment or negative glance. The only comment we have ever gotten is people asking where we are from because we have a bit of a Missouri accent. Get over yourselves, it's not any more racist then any other city, you just have to choose your company wisely and be ready to deal with situations as they come.

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by gapratcher

I am completely blown away by the comments made on both sides of this argument. I am a white female married to a black male. We are both active duty in the military and that is what brought us to Milwaukee. And we LOVE it here. I grew up in St. Louis, MO and he grew up in a small town south of there. We have also been station in Philadelphia and **NEWS FLASH PEOPLE** There is racism, segregation, and HATE EVERYWHERE! There are hoods and ghettos everywhere along with uppity, snooty neighborhoods. People just choose to pinpoint the things they see and make it to be a bigger deal then it is and point fingers. I saw more segregation in areas in Philly, and more racism in St. Louis. FROM BOTH SIDES.

(Keep in mind that I have obviously dealt with racism from both blacks and whites being of german and hispanic decent, who went to a predominantly black school, and married a well spoken black man. Also, my husband has dealt with racism from both races for being a literate black male who married a white girl.)

Milwaukee has its same issues as everywhere else, and I and close friends with people from the south such as Louisiana, Mississippi and Georgia who had more racist issues than I have every experienced here. We plan on buying a house and staying in Wisconsin for the long haul, because we honestly feel that we can find a great area in the city to raise our children in that DOESN'T place them in a situation where they will be forced into gangs like I grew up. And also offers great places to go and things to do, and housing is affordable.

We have never gotten weird looks or comments when we are together. We have been all over, including brookfield and yes, we went to summerfest and the state fair HOLDING HANDS AND GIVING EACH OTHER KISSES with not a single comment or negative glance. The only comment we have ever gotten is people asking where we are from because we have a bit of a Missouri accent. Get over yourselves, it's not any more racist then any other city, you just have to choose your company wisely and be ready to deal with situations as they come.

I'm so happy to hear this!

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by gapratcher

I am completely blown away by the comments made on both sides of this argument. I am a white female married to a black male. We are both active duty in the military and that is what brought us to Milwaukee. And we LOVE it here. I grew up in St. Louis, MO and he grew up in a small town south of there. We have also been station in Philadelphia and **NEWS FLASH PEOPLE** There is racism, segregation, and HATE EVERYWHERE! There are hoods and ghettos everywhere along with uppity, snooty neighborhoods. People just choose to pinpoint the things they see and make it to be a bigger deal then it is and point fingers. I saw more segregation in areas in Philly, and more racism in St. Louis. FROM BOTH SIDES.

(Keep in mind that I have obviously dealt with racism from both blacks and whites being of german and hispanic decent, who went to a predominantly black school, and married a well spoken black man. Also, my husband has dealt with racism from both races for being a literate black male who married a white girl.)

Milwaukee has its same issues as everywhere else, and I and close friends with people from the south such as Louisiana, Mississippi and Georgia who had more racist issues than I have every experienced here. We plan on buying a house and staying in Wisconsin for the long haul, because we honestly feel that we can find a great area in the city to raise our children in that DOESN'T place them in a situation where they will be forced into gangs like I grew up. And also offers great places to go and things to do, and housing is affordable.

We have never gotten weird looks or comments when we are together. We have been all over, including brookfield and yes, we went to summerfest and the state fair HOLDING HANDS AND GIVING EACH OTHER KISSES with not a single comment or negative glance. The only comment we have ever gotten is people asking where we are from because we have a bit of a Missouri accent. Get over yourselves, it's not any more racist then any other city, you just have to choose your company wisely and be ready to deal with situations as they come.

Which part of Milwaukee are you in?

[zoso41]

Basically stay to the South of Downtown and rule out anything in the North side and the Northwest side, lots of crime there, shootings, muggings, robberies etc... try Oak Creek, Franklin, Greendfield, Greendale and you'll be

[zoso41]

If your putting your kids in public schools, the MPS graduation rate is around 48% so I'd look elsewhere for the sake of your kids besides the city limits of Milwaukee