Want to move to Richmond but am concerned about the racial divide (Petersburg: military)

[new2ri]

As a stay at home mom of 3 we are considering a move to Richmond from Rhode Island due to the high cost of living in the Northeast, but I am worried about the extreme racial divide that I am reading about.

I have an African American brother-in law and sister-in law. My step mother is Japanese so we have a diverse family.

How open minded is Richmond or Virginia as a whole. I spent 11 years by Tucson, AZ and loved the absence of racial tensions, the holistic approach to health care (Dr. Andrew Wilde from the UoA a leading expert in natural medicine) and the blance of republican/democrats.

Will Richmond be a shock to us?

Thanks

[richmondpics]

Extreme racial divide? In what way?

[jhrichmond]

Originally Posted by richmondpics

Extreme racial divide? In what way?

Exactly what I was wondering. Where did you read that?

[new2ri]

I have read it a few places on the forums about virginia. What I'm wondering is do black and whites keep to their respective groups. My brother in-law and sister in-law are African American. Would they feel comfortable visiting as interracial couples? We visited NC and were shocked at how much chosen segregation there still is on both sides. Coming from AZ recently where race is a non issue I have become painfully aware that in other parts of the country it is.

thanks

[jhrichmond]

Having lived previously in Tennessee and Alabama, I think Virginia is much more diverse. I am close with 2 interracial couples. That's not to say that there is no racism, but I have honestly only seen it in the 60+ crowd. Virginia has a large military presence, bringing all races to the area.

[NoNamePlease]

I've lived here for 10 years and until I moved south of Richmond 3 years ago, I did not see/experience any racial divisions. For the most part, the areas surrounding Richmond (where you will most likely live - the city of Richmond covers a large area outside the city limits so you'll still put "richmond" on your outgoing letters), you will be fine. To the west of Richmond seems to be the most diverse, with many cultures living and working together. Just don't go too south of Richmond, such as Colonial Heights or Petersburg or you will be shocked. I moved to that area 3 years ago and I am still in shock. I did not know such places still existed, but they do.

[CNI]

This (your question & the [lack of candid] responses) kind of reminds me of when I was out of the country and a citizen of that country asked me and a friend (of a different race) about racial relations in the U.S.
The European from the host country knew he was stirring the pot (not saying that you are; seems you are just concerned).
One of us tried to gloss over the U.S.' racial issues while the other refused to gloss them over.

"Racial divide" may strike many as extreme wording.
However, you have been pretty clear on what you expect in a place of residence.
My understanding is that you are looking for a place with diversity of color, ethnicity, political affiliation but without the strife that most often accompanies the diversity.
IMO, I don't think you'll find that in Richmond. And to Richmond's defense, I don't think you'll find that in most places (unless the minority groups are so assimilated into the majority that they have abandoned/lost their roots).

Richmond's past casts a very large shadow on its present and future.
If Atlanta was "too busy to hate" (or something like that) then Richmond can frequently find some way to make most issues racial, political part affiliated, etc. (I wanted to say Richmond "always has time for a racial debate"...but I know many will hate me for that).
Again, not that Richmond is unique in this regard.

I know I'll be attacked for speaking the truth as I see it & I'll readily admit that this is one opinion.
But look at the Richmond area demographics. The division really speaks for itself.
Look at the area's "headline issues" over the course of the past year. Many break down along issues of race.
Look at how the local media presents certain stories with compassion while others are coldly told.
Look at some of the reader responses to the local newspapers columns (the paper has options for readers to respond to several stories each day).
There is a big elephant in the middle of this thread that should not be ignored.

[PMBird]

I could care less what color someone's skin is ... since I am from Maine, mine is basically pastey white. Is there areas that may not welcome someone with pastey white skin?