Concerns about relocating to Tupelo, Ms (Lake, Memphis: university, living in, restaurants)

[Jaimoti]

Hi,
I googled Tupelo, Ms because I might relocate with my family there and I found a couple of odd racist videos on google. And it worries me a bit. We are a young couple with 2 baby girls from El Paso Texas and we are hispanic (Mexican to be exact) and I am a little concerned for my girls and for my wife. My question, if anyone can answer it is: Could we have any issues in Tupelo due to our race? I do not want to sound ignorant for asking this, but I prefer ignorance to the well being of my family. Thanks.

[jhadorn]

I did a google search for Tupelo, MS and didn't immediately see what videos you are referencing, however, after a google video search I found a couple KKK rally videos.

Let me reassure you that the KKK is irrelevant in Mississippi as well as other states they have chapters in (I think probably all of them). The KKK has a right under the constitution of the United States of America to free speech and assemble peacefully, we can't stop them, however, most people in Mississippi disagree with that message.

Here is video from a KKK rally on the Ole Miss campus that shows the entire crowd in disagreement with the KKK. An anti-hate counter rally was also held.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezkvRywf4vw

I think you will find that you will be just fine, and I welcome you to Mississippi. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

[peppermint]

There are bigoted people everywhere. I think because of the university being close by that it will be ok. Maybe someone can provide more insight.

[mudbone]

I wish people would leave the mexicans alone there good hard working people.

[jhadorn]

Originally Posted by mudbone

I wish people would leave the mexicans alone there good hard working people.

I don't understand why some people dislike Mexicans, or think they are better. Most of the Mexican people I have met are fine people.

[Listener2307]

Originally Posted by Jaimoti

Hi,
I googled Tupelo, Ms because I might relocate with my family there and I found a couple of odd racist videos on google. And it worries me a bit. We are a young couple with 2 baby girls from El Paso Texas and we are hispanic (Mexican to be exact) and I am a little concerned for my girls and for my wife. My question, if anyone can answer it is: Could we have any issues in Tupelo due to our race? I do not want to sound ignorant for asking this, but I prefer ignorance to the well being of my family. Thanks.

We've lived in Tupelo for about 10 years.
I've said many times that the best thing about Tupelo is our race relations. We just get along. My neighbor is black. We stand around and gossip with the best of them.
And I've never heard a word said one way or the other about Hispanics. Not ever. No jokes. No comments. I just don't think it matters to most of us.

Bring the girls!.. We'll have 'em saying y'all within months!

[rosie210]

im so happy im reading this ,my hubby and i are moving to tupelo mississippi with our kids 3 teens and one 10 year old ,weve been living in nyc all our lives ,this is new to us .we were also very worried about racism ,were hispanic puertoricans.were alot of fun and friendly ,loving to .

[Listener2307]

Originally Posted by rosie210

im so happy im reading this ,my hubby and i are moving to tupelo mississippi with our kids 3 teens and one 10 year old ,weve been living in nyc all our lives ,this is new to us .we were also very worried about racism ,were hispanic puertoricans.were alot of fun and friendly ,loving to .

ROSIE?
ROSIE PEREZ, is that you?!

OK, I had to say that....

Wow NYC to Tupelo! I am very excited for you. It will be a grand adventure!
Sent you a PM

[brickpatio]

No worries about Tupelo. It's full of civic pride and a focus on progress and tolerance. There's a reason that Toyota selected Tupelo a couple of years ago, among every place on the planet, to build its most recent $2 billion auto plant.

In many ways, Tupelo is a perfect place to live, especially if you're seeking a moderate 4-season climate, all-American kindness and friendliness and neighborliness, virtually free of traffic, extremely safe, and economically prosperous. Just large enough for shopping and restaurants but otherwise small and livable. You're also just an hour from both University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University (for year-round SEC athletics and other cultural activities), as well as picturesque Pickwick Lake and the city of Memphis.

Churches are also very strong there and I would bet, to answer your question, that ethnic tensions would be far, far lower than other parts of the country, perhaps even undetectable. Mississippians attend church more than any other state (in the very best, most positive sense), live in smaller towns and cities, and are accustomed to diversity across both rural and urban areas throughout the state (i.e. not just in inner cities etc). In many ways Mississippians are like a big family. With that said, welcome home!

[xhgz]

Originally Posted by brickpatio

No worries about Tupelo. It's full of civic pride and a focus on progress and tolerance. There's a reason that Toyota selected Tupelo a couple of years ago, among every place on the planet, to build its most recent $2 billion auto plant.

Well, I agree this point for the thread, but not this statement. Toyota built the plant here because they could close to US market, cheap labor, no union, and Mississippi's tort reform.