Looking to relocate- 'My husband's black and I'm white- will we be okay there? (Jackson: environment)

[auntbee]

I live in a small town in Mississippi and I honestly don't see this as being a problem. There are probably bigots anywhere you go in this country. My daughter just moved from a small town in the delta and there were more mixed race couples in that small town than I ever saw around Jackson. One of them was the police chief and nobody seemed to care. I haven't seen any where I live now, but I have plenty of black neighbors and I like them better than some of the white ones.

[usm2009]

Fact: Racism is alive anywhere you go and no matter what people say or do, nothing will truly eradicate all forms of racism. Whether it be Mississippi or Washington, everyone will find sterotype in every aspect of life. From my experience, I have found MS to be the same as other places. I live in Hattiesburg, one of the largest cities in the state, and along with whatever else one does, there is also closed, simple-minded individuals who feel the need to disgrace someone's character.

[irvm]

Originally Posted by gizmo980

Secondly, while some of our neighborhoods are "ethnocentric", that's not due to any forced segregation or discrimination AT ALL. It's mostly just historical, cultural, and self-imposed... but despite all of that, we generally get along very well here. I'm one of the only White residents in a Chinese neighborhood, but have never been made to feel unwelcomed; and we're on the edge of a Black neighborhood, where I'm also perfectly comfortable. You rarely - if ever - hear about hate crimes, "race wars", open discrimination, or anything like that... I know some people would love to think otherwise, but racism really is less prevalent in this part of the country. While I'm White, I also happen to be Jewish, and have only heard ignorant comments while traveling outside of CA.

Gee, you're white and you feel 'comfortable'.
You might have a different opinion if you had a different skin color.
Or ventured into certain parts of town after (gasp!) dark.

As for "historical, cultural, and self-imposed" - well, of course, that's the same excuse they give everywhere - forced segregation was outlawed years ago. I suppose you could call it self-imposed if you choose to not live where you get insulted or beat up regularly.

If you don't read about hate crimes in California, it's probably because of those rose-colored glasses you all seem to wear. You know, the ones which make Californians ever-so more beautiful, loving, and 'accepting' of 'diversity' than the hulking uncivilized brutes who inhabit those other, unfortunate states. Puhleeze. Some of us have lived in lala land, and know better.

[Neshoba]

There are many interracial couples in Mississippi. My goodness....we are not hereto judge or to be judged. I think your kids will be great. You will like it here.
In Peace>+<>
Neshoba

[Cain]

I was Born in the South, North Carolina to be exact and lived there pretty much my whole life till college and moved to mississippi for 3 years for college when my folks moved with the military and retired.

Biloxi and the Gulfport area was where we lived, and all in all, was very accepting. My closest friend down there was White, and his mother and future step father had no problems with me and him hanging out or the fact that he was dating a black girl.

Being Jamaican / Panamanian, there was also a nice community of Spanish people from various countries down there that also were very friendly too, as well as others from Vietnam, etc. Military bases around seem to bring in more variety I guess. If the racism was rampant, my parents would probably not be in the well off and mostly white neighborhood they are in now.

I would say there are areas you just know not to go, both in a black community or a white one for various reasons. And if my family ever moved down there ( my wife is white), I would know to teach our kids to deal with it.

Ultimately, you have to learn from the past so you don't repeat it. If you don't teach the future generations to know what to look out for, they will just be doomed to be repeat it or be hurt by what they are not prepared for.

Unfortunately that is the world we still live in. Living now in North Dakota as we do, I have noticed more acceptance up here than down in the south, but, they do have other groups they seem to treat as they woudl me in the south, namely the Native Americans here. Its strange how that is, but, maybe its part of man's nature in people to have a few that for whatever reason, need something to fear, or hate, or loathe upon.

The real shame of it all is Mississippi as it sits, regardless of the people, is a beautiful state. Too bad there are a small group of people there who just don't want to enjoy it together.

[DoIStayOrDoIGo]

Mississippi gets a bad rap, and I must admit, in years past
it probably deserved it. It's a shame that everyone can't
get along and love one another, but there is division
all around the world, not just here in Mississippi. Mississippi
is very conservative in many areas, but by in large
it's residents are very caring and big hearted, not to mention
polite. If you are looking for big city sophistication, I advise
you to look elsewhere. I'm a city person, and get frustrated
at times over the laid back pace, but I can get my "fix" by
traveling to nearby cities, and then appreciate where I do
live. On subject of race: Mississippi has changed for the better.
I am a white male with several dear African American friends.
I do get bent out of shape that I live in a area of my
town that is on a downward decent, proliferated by thugs
and blaring rap music, beer cans tossed out in front of my
house daily, etc..... but that could happen anywhere in
America where an area is in economic transition... So, I do hope
you and your family do decide to locate here, and change peoples
views. I hope you immediately love it and are comfortable here!
Welcome to Mississippi!

[gene430]

Originally Posted by Lynn65

Muskrad is absolutely correct in his explantion of mixed marriages livng in MS. I have known several that have successfully established residence in MS but mainly in the larger cities. The Delta is off limits. I lived in Greenwood for many years and to say they are behind the times is a complete understatement. There are two resturants in particular in Greenwood that refuse to wait on "people of color".

For example: My family is white, my dad Irish, my mom Italian. We frequented one of these two resturants on a regular basis an average of once a week. My dad loved their homemade chocolate pie. One summer my parents went to Jamacia for a week on vacation and when they came back went to their favorite resturant. Now mind you my mom's mom was born on the boat on the way over here from Italy. So a week in Jamacia turned her rather dark rather fast. They sat there at the table for 30 mins waitresses going by ignoring them and giving my dad dirty looks. He being Irish and not a patient man lost it grabbed on who was again passing by their table and asked them what the problem was. The lady politely and quitely leaned over and whispered in my dad's ear, now "Mr. Martin you know we don't serve coloreds here." They were all embarrassed when they realised their mistake. And that's just one small example of how behind the times the Delta is. Stay clear.

I don't know what to think about this post.......are you telling me that your mom and dad went to a small restaurant at least once a week for many years and just because your mom got teally tan they did not recognize her? I don't buy it.

I was born in Mississippi and now live in Pittsburgh. I see the same amount of racism in both. Look at these facts:

Greenville, MS - 70% black population
Pittsburgh, PA - 98.5% White

Who is more segregated?

[Mississippienne]

I work at a grocery store in Gulfport. Yesterday, I checked out a black man/white woman couple, and then right behind them was a white man/black woman couple. Later that evening, I saw a completely different couple, a black woman, her white husband, and their young daughter (sleeping in her father's arms) strolling through the store. No one said a word to them or gave them nasty looks that I could see. We also have a white woman/Mexican man couple with five children who come in every few days.

[darhe3425]

Sasha, why would you discourage someone from outside MS to come live? Don't you think that diversity is what is lacking in MS? Although, I do agree that MS has long way to go in tolerance and acceptance.

[williboy]

Originally Posted by gene430

I don't know what to think about this post.......are you telling me that your mom and dad went to a small restaurant at least once a week for many years and just because your mom got teally tan they did not recognize her? I don't buy it.

I was born in Mississippi and now live in Pittsburgh. I see the same amount of racism in both. Look at these facts:

Greenville, MS - 70% black population
Pittsburgh, PA - 98.5% White

Who is more segregated?

Pittsburgh, PA
66.1% - white
27.1% - black
the rest is a small mix
This information is right off of City-Data.

Greenville, MS
69.6% - black
29. 7% - white
.7% - hispanic

They are about even in diversity. I have no clue as to which city is more intergrated or segregated.