Young African American Woman Moving to Morgantown (Washington, Union: hair salon, crime rates)

[jbrown7984]

I am a 27 year old black woman moving from DC to Morgantown for work. I won't be attending WVU (anytime soon).

Is there a native black community to speak of there, outside of WVU's campus?

If there is none, I'll live lol. I just want to know what to expect.

Also, I have dreadlocks. Are there any salons that cater to natural black hair?

Any information about black people, community, or culture in Morgantown or the surrounding areas would be extremely helpful. Thanks!

[cry_havoc]

Originally Posted by jbrown7984

I am a 27 year old black woman moving from DC to Morgantown for work. I won't be attending WVU (anytime soon).

Is there a native black community to speak of there, outside of WVU's campus?

If there is none, I'll live lol. I just want to know what to expect.

Also, I have dreadlocks. Are there any salons that cater to natural black hair?

Any information about black people, community, or culture in Morgantown or the surrounding areas would be extremely helpful. Thanks!

There are native Black People outside of WVU. To my knowledge there is no single African American area, and the population is spread out.

[jbrown7984]

cool...thanks.

let me give u a little more information.

i actually visited morgantown last week. i went monday night, and stayed til tuesday afternoon.

my observations: i saw several black people working the hotel (Waterfront something or other)...i ran into a black guy at the liquor store who told me and the cashier that he had served time lol (that was weird) aaaaaand i actually saw a black woman, with locks, at morgantown mall. but alas, she did not live in morgantown, she was only visiting.

so honestly, i saw more black people than i expected. what i want to know is, if there is any cohesion of black people? a community of sorts?

i tried to find the john henry museum for black culture (or something like that) but the number i had was disconnected, the signs downtown were misleading, and no one i asked knew where it was lol. smh.

oh, and i'm single. curious about the singles scene. but ummm....i am open to dating outside my race. good treatment is the most important thing, of course. and i saw several interracial couples, which was cool.

anyways...like i said, any information AT ALL would be helpful. from black people, white people, other races, current residents, former residents, young, older, *anybody*...what's good????

[WVUPharm2007]

Honestly, I'm living in Philly right now and I think this place is weird as hell compared to what I got used to in Morgantown. Segregation is everywhere. Not enforced, but voluntary. You've got your Jewish neighborhood...black neighborhood...Mexican neighborhood (not to be confused with Cuban neighborhood, that angers them)...Italian neighborhood...Asian neighborhood. Etc, etc. And its just not in the city core, its the entire region. See:



I guess that's "normal" everywhere else. In my time living in Morgantown, people of different races and creeds just lived and hung out pretty much everywhere indiscriminately. If you're looking for a neighborhood with nothing but black owned businesses, etc, etc...not sure you'll find it.

As far as a hair salon, look up Strandz downtown. They are listed on this website. Maybe they are what you are looking for.

[CTMountaineer]

Originally Posted by cry_havoc

There are native Black People outside of WVU. To my knowledge there is no single African American area, and the population is spread out.

We don't have ethnic neighborhoods here. Blacks are spread throughout our community and integrated into society. I do believe there is a hair salon operated by a person who happens to be black on High Street, I have a hunch they can take care of your haircare needs just fine there.

[jbrown7984]

wooooow thanks for the salon tip. just gave them a call.

[CTMountaineer]

Welcome to Morgantown!

[jbrown7984]

Originally Posted by ctmountaineer

welcome to morgantown!

thanks!!!

[cry_havoc]

Like other people have said Morgantown is integrated. There are a few thousand Black people here, and not a lot of racial issues. When Katrina hit a few years ago a Black Family was temporarily located to Morgantown, and decided to stay here permanently because they liked it so much, and they especially liked how white and black people got along. In Morgantown we judge the individual and the character instead of race.

The University does have active black organizations. I recommend you contact some WVU african American student organizations for information on the local African American community.

If you really want to live in a predominantly African American area you could live in Uniontown PA, which is not nice, or Washington PA and commute 45 minutes to and from Morgantown everyday.

Funny thing is I am in the exact opposite situation you are in. I am in Morgantown and going to the DC metro area.

[carefulone]

My family has lived her for four years. We have had many negative experiences and are looking to move. We are a biracial couple with a 20 yr old daughter. We have been harrassed by other patrons at a restaurant in Point Marion and told to leave. We have been followed down the road by some men and had to evade them. My husband was harrassed at work by his coworkers. My daughter was assaulted and chased down a road at night being told over and over that "ni88er you are going to die on this road tonight". They did this for over an half an hour after they beat her. Thank God she had a cell phone and we were able to find her! She suffered a broken nose and other damage as you can imagine. The N word is used freely here and confederate flags feel like a punch in the gut. We are looking to move where there is more diversity. Side note, The animal abuse here is shocking! Crime rates data for the area shows a higher than average rape, assault and property crime in 2009. I think some of it has gone down since.