What is Vidor like today and how relevant (or exaggerated) is its reputation? (Beaumont: houses, neighborhood)

[BobTex]

I work in Beaumont(live 50 miles north) and have lived in Southeast Texas over 40 years of my 59, basically growing up south of Beaumont. I've heard all the stuff but never saw anything like the tales, knew hundreds of folks from there and none had white hoods that they wore part time. Granted a lot of trash is in Vidor but that can be found anywhere. There are also a lot of really good people.

Daniel Wayne nails it pretty well! Also dittos on the areas north of these towns along the 2 Southeast Texas rivers. These are some truly dangerous areas. Backwoods communities where even law enforcement won't go unless in force. These areas are north of Orange on the Sabine River and North of Silsbee on the Neches River. The folks in these areas make the rednecks in Vidor seem cultured and suave.

These fears and racial hype about Vidor are mostly in the minds of drama queens.

[War Beagle]

Thank you to DanielWayne, Qazulight, gymnast76133, and BobTex. Your information was valuable and appreciated. Vidor is one of those places that has a reputation in Texas that has grown beyond what seems realistic; its reputation is almost mythically bad. I've lived in 4 or 5 (if you count Oklahoma) southern states now and Vidor doesn't seem particularly different than most small Southern towns.

Originally Posted by BobTex

Daniel Wayne nails it pretty well! Also dittos on the areas north of these towns along the 2 Southeast Texas rivers. These are some truly dangerous areas. Backwoods communities where even law enforcement won't go unless in force.

You both made me curious about the backwoods area. What is the reason for this? Are they into making meth, are they anti-authority militia types or is it as simple as not liking outsiders? Regardless of the reason, I wouldn't make a point of traipsing around their turf anyway.

[SteelBubble]

If you only wanted positive opinions on Vidor, then say so. But the rest of us live in a reality where we can see through the false perception of acceptance. Just because someone says they're not racist, doesn't mean they aren't. Just because someone says they're accepting, doesn't mean they are.

Here's a CNN story on Vidor: Texas city haunted by 'no blacks after dark' past - CNN.com

[DanielWayne]

Originally Posted by War Beagle

...
You both made me curious about the backwoods area. What is the reason for this? Are they into making meth, are they anti-authority militia types or is it as simple as not liking outsiders? Regardless of the reason, I wouldn't make a point of traipsing around their turf anyway.

From my limited exposure to that area, and from what I have heard, it's more about not liking outsiders than anything else. Very insular community. I think one of the areas was called Indian Lake. I have also heard the name Devil's Pocket.

And from the posted CNN article link, this quote below about sums it up.

"The vast majority of our citizens are not racist," said Vidor Mayor Joe Hopkins. "We'd welcome anybody here who is a good solid citizen."

Bob is right, too - there is some trash in Vidor, but what town is free of that? A lot of the town is pretty well kept and there are pleasant neighborhoods there.

Anyway we have multiple quotes on this post from people who lived in the area. Some who lived there decades before the CNN article was published. And at least 2 who are minorities. First hand accounts based on years of living in the area vs an article by a roving CNN reporter...

[War Beagle]

Originally Posted by SteelBubble

If you only wanted positive opinions on Vidor, then say so. But the rest of us live in a reality where we can see through the false perception of acceptance. Just because someone says they're not racist, doesn't mean they aren't. Just because someone says they're accepting, doesn't mean they are.

Here's a CNN story on Vidor: Texas city haunted by 'no blacks after dark' past - CNN.com

I specifically asked about people who are from Vidor or who live (or lived) near Vidor. I also specifically stated that I wasn't interested in the opinions of people who had stopped by while driving through.

Qazulight's response was far from what I would call "positive". But it was helpful and it was obvious that he/she has spent some time in the area beyond driving through.

And yes, I have read that article. I have lived throughout the South. I have relatives in the North. The truth is that people tend to self-segregate wherever they are when possible. The North tends to be more segregated than almost anywhere in the South. You can still find some Northern whites only living in predominantly Irish/Italian/Jewish/etc/ neighborhoods and attending Irish/Italian/Polish/etc. churches, never mind living with blacks, Hispanics, etc.

[westhou]

Originally Posted by War Beagle

I'm curious as to how accurate Vidor's reputation is today versus how much is a remnant from several decades ago. I have a potential job opportunity there and I am trying to research it. Obviously, I am somewhat hesitant about it given its reputation. However, I'm thinking the reputation might be worse than the reality given that its reputation is almost poor to the point of being unbelievable.

While I am curious as to the persistence of overt displays of racism in the area, it is not actually my main concern since I am white and it wouldn't affect me personally. What I am primarily curious about is how welcoming are the locals to outsiders? I've lived in the south most of my life and some places can be friendly while others can be pretty cliquish. Also, how safe is it overall in terms of violent crime and property crime?

I would prefer responses either from people that live in the area now or who used to live there. I'm not particularly interested in the views of people who stopped at the Vidor Dairy Queen one time on the way back from the casino, or who's knowledge of Vidor comes from hearsay.

I think you'll do just fine in Vidor. If overt displays of racism doesn't bother you than why even start this thread for feed back? Vidor will just be a normal town for you if your willing to overlook the main thing that draws people away from there.

[SteelBubble]

Originally Posted by westhou

I think you'll do just fine in Vidor. If overt displays of racism doesn't bother you than why even start this thread for feed back? Vidor will just be a normal town for you if your willing to overlook the main thing that draws people away from there.

This is the sort of mentality that perpetuates discrimination. One does not have to actively participate in overt racism.

"First they came for..."
-Martin Niemoller

[War Beagle]

Originally Posted by SteelBubble

This is the sort of mentality that perpetuates discrimination. One does not have to actively participate in overt racism.

"First they came for..."
-Martin Niemoller

Other people can deal with their own problems. I'm not going to get worked up about something that doesn't affect me, my family or immediate friends. I have my own life and problems to deal with.

Anyway, to answer westhou's question, the reason was simple curiosity.

[westhou]

Originally Posted by War Beagle

Other people can deal with their own problems. I'm not going to get worked up about something that doesn't affect me, my family or immediate friends. I have my own life and problems to deal with.

Anyway, to answer westhou's question, the reason was simple curiosity.

Thanks for answering the question. I thought you were considering moving there and that's why you were asking.

Personally I try to mind my own business but it would bother me if I saw someone being discriminated against or bullied just because of the color of their skin or any other reason to be honest. If I had my choice of towns to live or visit I doubt I would pick one where overt racism was the norm.

[War Beagle]

Originally Posted by westhou

Thanks for answering the question. I thought you were considering moving there and that's why you were asking.

Personally I try to mind my own business but it would bother me if I saw someone being discriminated against or bullied just because of the color of their skin or any other reason to be honest. If I had my choice of towns to live or visit I doubt I would pick one where overt racism was the norm.

Actually, a job possibility is what spurred the curiosity. I wouldn't want to see bullying either, which is part of the reason why I started this thread. I certainly don't want to live in a place where there are routine and visible Klan rallies either.

My response to SteelBubble was more about the fact that I am not going to concern myself with whether a place is sufficiently integrated or not. While I don't want to see innocent people mistreated, it's not my business if people would rather live amongst people who are similar to themselves.

I guess that is the crux of my question: are Vidorians blatantly abusive and racist (as past history suggests) or is it more of a case where they would simply prefer to live around other whites. The responses that I have received suggest it is more the latter.