person of african descent moving to spokane (Seattle, Pullman: crime, felony)

[lara123]

I am a young professional living in a big city currently and I was recently offered a job in spokane. The pay is good and the people at the work place are friendly. I am black man and never lived in an area with as little diversity as spokane. Because of that, I definitely feel unconfortable.
I would like to know what are the experiences of blacks in spokane? What are race relations like ithere?. Would you advise me to turn the job down and look elsewhere?
If I do take the job, where do minorites live in spokane? I saw very few when I was there. I need to know soon to decide whether to take the job or not. Look forward to your advice.

[WendyK]

There are several churches here in Spokane with predominantly black membership that could be a good start at meeting others. You should also visit the website AHANA Business Education & Training Program - Home for business professionals in the Spokane area. Do you sing? I'm a member of the Spokane Community Gospel Choir -- it's a very diverse group that is a lot of fun and a great source of fellowship.

[lara123]

Thanks for your response. I will check out that website. I do go to church but not great singer.

[vette-dude]

spokane review//

SR.com: Minorities overrepresented among felony convictions

Not my views but of the Spokane Review

[Deena160]

Originally Posted by vette-dude

spokane review//

SR.com: Minorities overrepresented among felony convictions

Not my views but of the Spokane Review

Interesting article, but isn't this pretty much true anywhere in the US? It's not inherent to Washington State.

Forgive me if I say anything that's not PC, but I think that anytime you have a minority who is successful coming into a community it's a chance to break stereotypes and a chance for that person to be a leader and an example to young people. So, I think Spokane probably needs you. :~) D

[Sandpointian]

lara123,
lack of diversity does not mean lack of understanding or willingness to understand. The legacy of institutionalized hatred and exclusion from the all other parts of the country are pretty much nonexistent or minimal. However, you will face a kind of benign ignorance (and yes, sometimes not so benign).

You may be the first black neighbor or friend for many. The strangeness of that experience will be mutual, but not without great rewards--much like visiting another country.
That strangeness is really universal, such as me living in South Central, but it will be odd being that this your country.

Overtime, you will win hearts of those that matter most. But on the others, it will always be an uphill battle on account of mass media projecting the deep cultural problems and history onto a region that has been largely devoid of its institutional aspects.

I hope you embrace the challenge (which it will be in many respects)...I think you will find the area to be a blast of fresh air.
S

[ArcticPhoenix]

Originally Posted by lara123

I am a young professional living in a big city currently and I was recently offered a job in spokane. The pay is good and the people at the work place are friendly. I am black man and never lived in an area with as little diversity as spokane. Because of that, I definitely feel unconfortable.
I would like to know what are the experiences of blacks in spokane? What are race relations like ithere?. Would you advise me to turn the job down and look elsewhere?
If I do take the job, where do minorites live in spokane? I saw very few when I was there. I need to know soon to decide whether to take the job or not. Look forward to your advice.

Race isn't an issue in the Spokane area. Umm... where do minorities live in Spokane? Wherever they want!

Take the job. If you enjoy winter you'll love Spokane. And our summers here, once it actually is summer, are absolutely perfect. Like I said, race isn't an issue here. This is one of the few places I've ever lived where I haven't seen racism. I actually can't recall even HEARING anyone say anything remotely racist, and I've lived here for about 4 years now.

[tindo80]

Originally Posted by vette-dude

spokane review//

SR.com: Minorities overrepresented among felony convictions

Not my views but of the Spokane Review

And whites are over represented among hate crime perpetrators. Offenders--Hate Crime Statistics, 2006


Something to consider if you are a minority moving to an area like Spokane, specifically.

Ive been there countless times, going to school in Pullman. Race is not a VERY big problem, and its actually gotten better from what I hear. But you would be in for a very rude awakening if you move there and dont expect to be stereotyped, possibly harassed and potentially worst (in some areas...but youll know those spots pretty quick, most of the locals dont even like going there = the meth'ed out region). Theres a small but widely known underground white supremacist scene in the area (predominant in the valley). They arent the klan or anything, but rather leftovers from the old North idaho groups little brothers and excons.

Its a down trodden area thats been trying to get back on its feet since Kaiser went out of business, and until very recently an extremely ethinically homogeneous region. The general populous is becoming more and more diverse and accepting, due to population run off from Seattle and Portland moving there for afford ability purposes. But, like many places, the older generation and some of the more ignorant people who cling to their idea of what the city was (as well as their ignorant beliefs about different people) feel they have to make themselves more vocal as a way to 'protect' what they consider their city.

Id give it another Generation and Spokane will be about as diverse as Seattle.

[vette-dude]

Originally Posted by tindo80

And whites are over represented among hate crime perpetrators. Offenders--Hate Crime Statistics, 2006


Something to consider if you are a minority moving to an area like Spokane, specifically.

Ive been there countless times, going to school in Pullman. Race is not a VERY big problem, and its actually gotten better from what I hear. But you would be in for a very rude awakening if you move there and dont expect to be stereotyped, possibly harassed and potentially worst (in some areas...but youll know those spots pretty quick, most of the locals dont even like going there = the meth'ed out region). Theres a small but widely known underground white supremacist scene in the area (predominant in the valley). They arent the klan or anything, but rather leftovers from the old North idaho groups little brothers and excons.

Its a down trodden area thats been trying to get back on its feet since Kaiser went out of business, and until very recently an extremely ethinically homogeneous region. The general populous is becoming more and more diverse and accepting, due to population run off from Seattle and Portland moving there for afford ability purposes. But, like many places, the older generation and some of the more ignorant people who cling to their idea of what the city was (as well as their ignorant beliefs about different people) feel they have to make themselves more vocal as a way to 'protect' what they consider their city.

Id give it another Generation and Spokane will be about as diverse as Seattle.

Most of what you state is logical, also as long as I've lived in this locale, I have not seen or heard any major racial issues in the city....come one come all...it is a beautiful city with it's 4 seasons... Wonder why are you in Minnesota now....

[tindo80]

Originally Posted by vette-dude

Most of what you state is logical, also as long as I've lived in this locale, I have not seen or heard any major racial issues in the city....come one come all...it is a beautiful city with it's 4 seasons... Wonder why are you in Minnesota now....

Thanks. That may be your experience, but Ive seen a few instances of things. Though I am sure such instances are fairly rare. Ranging from 'bad looks' to guys trying to start fights at Riverside Park, yelling the n-word at groups of teenagers (which was odd because the kids being harassed looked native american).

One of my roommates back at Washington State was from the Valley (he was white) and told me about the underground scene there. I wouldnt have believed it either until a few of my buds went to a punk rock concert a few summers back and informed me of about 1/4 of the crowd being rowdy looking wannabe nazi punks. And there is the widely known meth problem, which is in no way isolated to Spokane.

I assure you I love Spokane. I just think you have to take the good with the bad to truely love a place. Plus, it would be rude indeed to move somewhere believing its all roses and honey. No where is perfect, and neither is Spokane. That being said, its honestly a really nice overall city, very convenient, with a TON of prospective and (I think) an expansive future ahead of it. At one point I wouldnt have minded living there, actually. Maybe when it grows a little more. The weather is a lot like MN, same amount of snow, but warmer in the winter (its cold in Spokane, but its gets really really cold in MN). Im only out here finishing up post grad.