Black Population In Seattle (Tacoma: zoned, cost, shop)

[olynative]

If you are looking for a very accepting, diverse, laid back culture that allows you to be yourself then you should consider making Seattle your home. I have moved away from here once and couldn't wait to come back. I know that wherever life takes me, I will always come back here. I've been many places and haven't come across anywhere I would rather call home.

[orangeblossom]

While I'm here,Can someone please tell me where I can get my hair did?

[pwright1]

If you are black, there are tons of black hair salons around the area, especially in Seattle and Tacoma. What part of town are you in?

[trinitoo]

so,can someone answer my question about what is there for an island girl to do in seattle? Any reggae? Any Caribbean culture? I think its important to find representation of one's culture.

[trinitoo]

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[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by olynative

If you are looking for a very accepting, diverse, laid back culture that allows you to be yourself then you should consider making Seattle your home. I have moved away from here once and couldn't wait to come back. I know that wherever life takes me, I will always come back here. I've been many places and haven't come across anywhere I would rather call home.

Sounds about right. At least with my experience.

[chinab]

I just moved to Seattle and am working here-- Only for ONE year, though! I have been here for a month, and couldn't imagine living here for much longer than a year. Not only is Seattle's Black community not very close-knit, but being up here definitely seems worlds away from every other Black community.

I am a very open-minded, easygoing person. With that being said, I am very accepting of all types of people regardless of race, color, sexual orientation, and creed. I have such a hard time finding other Black professionals that it is exhausting, and I have given up. Yes, it has only been a month (and a couple weeks), but I am definitely not used to having to search for other like-minded Black people.

I hang out with people of all races, but it is food for the soul to fellowship with other ambitious African-Americans.

You can tell me they are out there, but please follow that statement with details (when, where, and what time!!) I never see other Black women when I go out. I went to an underground hip-hop concert and there was a maximum of 20 Black folks there. Here I thought I would be hitting the jackpot that night... uhhhm no.

Also, just because someone is Black doesn't mean that they are someone I would hang with. This is the reason why Black people from other major cities would not consider Seattle to be a great social hub for them. With a larger population of African-Americans comes a greater probability that you will find a few compatible associates. Because Seattle is lacking in numbers, my chances are nearing obsolescence.

Many of the encounters I have had with the Black people here are not very memorable. Often times, they are standoff-ish or have this "suido-enlightened" aura. The men who approach me seem to only approach me because they DON'T think I am Black... and I really have yet to meet any Black women at all.

Anyhow, please don't think I'm complaining or Seattle-bashing b/c I love it here.. but I will admit as of right now, I can't give it a perfect 10 b/c I need a stronger Black presence. I'd give it a 7/10. Between ATL and Seattle, I would call it even. Atlanta is missing the beautiful aspect.

Call me close-minded and "ghetto" (Why have I heard the word "ghetto" used more here than anywhere else??? It's annoying. People say it all the time to describe anything with a Black influence.) or whatever, but I can say with confidence that the majority of Blacks would feel the same way that I do.

Don't get me wrong... I love it here. Can't touch Chicago, though... not even on it's best day :-)

[chinab]

Originally Posted by pwright1

If you are black, there are tons of black hair salons around the area, especially in Seattle and Tacoma. What part of town are you in?

Where are these places??? Please don't tell me they charge $60+ for a wash and blow dry like I have heard. That's insane.

If all you need is a wash and blow dry, message me... Can that be done on here?

Anyhow, I will wash and blow dry for $30. The price it should be!

[pwright1]

All cities around the U.S. are not alike. Seattle is what it is. What's funny Chinab is what you just described is what I've heard from some black newcomers. But guess what? Give Seattle a little more time. I'm from D.C. and I was in the thick of the D.C. black experience. Once again if you come from Chicago, D.C., Atlanta, Philly, New York, Houston, Dallas, Baltimore and other cities with many more black folks than Seattle, things here will be different. Everything you are looking for with the black experience IS here, just on a smaller scale. Have you been to Festival Sundiata, the Seattle Black Film Festival, the NW African American Musuem or any of the numerous black restaurants around town? What shocked me when I arrived was this city has a lot of black history. It wasn't all about blacks escaping the south heading to D.C., Chicago, Detroit or NY. They headed to Seattle too which I never ever knew. And as far as Atlanta, give me Seattle anyday. That car cultured, strip mall everywhere, no water, sorry downtown, unwalkable, malled out, suv driving, sprawled out, hot and humid, bugged out place is one city I have absolutely no desire to ever live in. Call it even in your eyes but I see things quite different.

[kcwebgirl]

Originally Posted by chinab

Where are these places??? Please don't tell me they charge $60+ for a wash and blow dry like I have heard. That's insane.

If all you need is a wash and blow dry, message me... Can that be done on here?

Anyhow, I will wash and blow dry for $30. The price it should be!

someone sent me to a shop that charges $110 for a relaxer. are they crazy up here or what? i decided to learn how to do my own damn hair for that. and i can go to hair masters or great clips or something to get it trimmed when needed. so far so good. i did my first relaxer and it turned out great. and the kit cost me $7. suck on that.