Discrimination in Grand Island, Nebraska (Omaha, Kearney: 2010, living, moving to)

[kinamalia702]

I currently live in Las Vegas and everytime I tell people that me and my African American boyfriend are moving to Grand Island they say.............."be care it's a racist place" or "you know it's mainly white people" or "are you sure you want to do that because they aren't used to mixed couples", yet when I read stuff online I don't really say anything. We have a family friend out there, she's white and he's african american and they haven't shared anything to that affect. I believe that racism is everywhere but no doubt I don't want to move anywhere that's really bad so can anyone shed some light on the situation.

[IsThisOneTaken?]

Originally Posted by kinamalia702

I currently live in Las Vegas and everytime I tell people that me and my African American boyfriend are moving to Grand Island they say.............."be care it's a racist place" or "you know it's mainly white people" or "are you sure you want to do that because they aren't used to mixed couples", yet when I read stuff online I don't really say anything. We have a family friend out there, she's white and he's african american and they haven't shared anything to that affect. I believe that racism is everywhere but no doubt I don't want to move anywhere that's really bad so can anyone shed some light on the situation.

I would look at this thread. My reply to the question posed there for Hastings would be similar for GI. They are only 20 miles apart and GI is even more racially diverse than Hastings.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/nebra...-nebraska.html

[Go Ne]

Originally Posted by kinamalia702

I currently live in Las Vegas and everytime I tell people that me and my African American boyfriend are moving to Grand Island they say.............."be care it's a racist place" or "you know it's mainly white people" or "are you sure you want to do that because they aren't used to mixed couples", yet when I read stuff online I don't really say anything. We have a family friend out there, she's white and he's african american and they haven't shared anything to that affect. I believe that racism is everywhere but no doubt I don't want to move anywhere that's really bad so can anyone shed some light on the situation.

Well, mostly people from the coasts often stereotype us as Red Necks. The City is very accepting of differences, and you can't take opinions from people who have never truly experienced a place. I hope your move goes well.

[madpie]

One thing to keep in mind, there are a lot of Somalis and Sudanese in Grand Island. Not that there is any wrong with that, but your boyfriend may get another type of stereotype thrown at him until people hear him speak. The Somalis are Muslim and have had some religious problems at the meat packing plant that employs most of them. I am not stating anything but the truth because I saw a lot of the same thing in Norfolk until the beef plant was closed.

[Bosco55David]

Geez, with all these threads like this popping up, you'd think we were Alabama or something.

I could get up on my soapbox (again) about how diversity does not mean tolerance and vice versa, but you can go back in my past posts and read that.

Just FYI, Nebraska was part of the Union (as a territory) during the civil war and as such, racism will be less rampant than in the south.

[Radical347]

It's mainly white people but it's not racist.

[kinamalia702]

Thanks everyone for the opinions and wisdom, it's greatly appreciated.

[ehenningsen]

Originally Posted by kinamalia702

I currently live in Las Vegas and everytime I tell people that me and my African American boyfriend are moving to Grand Island they say.............."be care it's a racist place" or "you know it's mainly white people" or "are you sure you want to do that because they aren't used to mixed couples", yet when I read stuff online I don't really say anything. We have a family friend out there, she's white and he's african american and they haven't shared anything to that affect. I believe that racism is everywhere but no doubt I don't want to move anywhere that's really bad so can anyone shed some light on the situation.

Trust me, there are weird people that are extremem everywhere you go..

But the state of Nebraska is definetely not a racist state, we are overall a very accepting state.

Grand Island and nearby Kearney and Lexington are both diverse and have a pretty good growing population rate..

hastings, while not as diverse, is also a good and growing city..

The tri-cities are basically a regional market area that has a very high importance for a large portion of the state and even out of state, its growth rate is outstanding, and its opportunities are more than you would expect as in a very small area you have over 220,000 people

[windfarmer]

Stopped in Grand Island on the way through Nebraska a year ago, and I found the locals to be quite amiable, very approachable and overall quite sincere. I definitely did NOT witness any type of behavior or attitudes that might be considered even mildly offending of race.

Nebraska is a great state in my opinion! Omaha is one of those charming cities that not too many talk about.. Maybe it's best kept as such.

[ashnat]

This is the midwest. Over 90% is white. We are not racist people, we just don't have much variety living around here.
GI and Lexington are known to be a little harsh toward hispanics tho, because of the manu plants.