Need Friendly Town that's Racially Tolerant (Milwaukee, Madison: public school, living in, mold)

[fanaraj]

Does anyone know how prevalent diversity is in Waukesha and surrounding areas.?My husband and I are an interracial couple with a bi-racial child. We are both professionals and plan to move there soon. I would be interested in any feedback that would suggest what areas are best in and around Waukesha. Thanks!

[fanaraj]

Any thoughts on the Waukesha area for tolerance of bi-racial couples?

[CADRMNDANES]

Originally Posted by Drover

I disagree somewhat with some who say the further north you go the better off you'll be, or that small towns in central Wisconsin will be "just fine." Some specific towns up north are pretty tolerant and laid-back, but once you get outside the Milwaukee area and pockets of Madison, Wisconsin is astonishingly white. (The notable exception is the generally successful integration of a sizeable Hmong population in the Wausau area.) It is not rare at all for small towns in Wisconsin to have a black population of zero. I'd bet there are more than a few towns that have NEVER had black residents. I don't want to give the wrong impression; this has much more to do with historic black migration patterns than outright white hostility. Nonetheless, depending on where you go, this lack of exposure could render your kids something of a curiosity which in turn can result in insensitive, unenlightened comments. Even though no harm may be intended by the offenders, it could be a bit dehumanizing for the kids.

I do agree that you should avoid the Milwaukee area altogether. An earlier post about the racial tensions there is pretty much on the mark.

My advice is to check out Madison. It's a fairly segregated city, at least to the extent that a city with a 6% black population can be segregated... BUT, it's also a very progressive city -- home of UW after all -- and people will trip over themselves to demonstrate how tolerant they are. Racial tensions are generally low, crime is low, the quality of the public schools is surprisingly good for a city of its size, and there are enough blacks there that your kids won't be regarded as a novelty.

I agree!! Great Post!!
Check out the west side.

[LML]

Originally Posted by Drover

My advice is to check out Madison. It's a fairly segregated city, at least to the extent that a city with a 6% black population can be segregated... BUT, it's also a very progressive city -- home of UW after all -- and people will trip over themselves to demonstrate how tolerant they are. Racial tensions are generally low, crime is low, the quality of the public schools is surprisingly good for a city of its size, and there are enough blacks there that your kids won't be regarded as a novelty.

I just came from my grandson's 5th grade graduation. His school is in a VERY nice neighborhood on Madison's west side. There were children from 63 countries represented in his graduation class. There were 8 5th grade classes and in several of them there were more children of color than there were caucasion children. Likewise, the neighborhood is VERY diverse. I look around, everywhere I go in Madison, and wonder where in the world these all white neighborhoods are located because the diversity I see is everywhere.

[BacktoNE]

I would avoid Appleton, Neenah etc. The people are very intolerant of minorities. We are a white couple and have been absolutely horrified at the comments we've heard other white people make about the minorities in the area.

[mel55880]

I also suggest you avoid the smaller towns in Central WI and the North west areas of WI. I disagree about the statement made that your would be fine in these small towns. Small towns are generally not tolerant of outsiders of any kind, but being a mixed race family you would have even more trouble.

It's so interesting how WI is such a liberal state when it comes to voting, yet such a non-progressive state when it comes to dealing with racism. It must be all the liberals in the bigger cities and pockets of liberals swaying WI into voting blue instead of red. The area I grew up was all white and people were very intolerant of other races, and extremely conservative.

I wish you luck, maybe your family can break the mold and help our state become more racially tolerant!

[KateDaum]

Be happy you don't live out in NH. They are intolerant and down right rude to minorities. We have hosted a "Fresh Air" child in the past. Try travelling around New Hampshire, Maine etc with a child who is black. The people act like he is not even in the room and make comments about him. Last year, our summer child was with us in Maine and we ordered ice cream. The clerk was so impatient with him. Then he went back and asked for more napkins and you would have thought the price of a napkin was $3 each. I don't take this type of behavior and have gone toe to toe with many of these cold, bigoted Northeasterners. You would never know it is the 21st century with their close minded intolerance of anyone who is different then them. This year we are hosting 2. They will probably run us out of town!
We always manage to squeeze in a trip to our place in Bayfield. And guess what? They are always so wonderful to our summer child. On our last day one of the store owners gave him a tshirt to remember his time in Bayfield. It is a totally different world up north in WI then out east. We are hoping by next spring to be permanent residents.

[CADRMNDANES]

Originally Posted by KateDaum

Be happy you don't live out in NH. They are intolerant and down right rude to minorities. We have hosted a "Fresh Air" child in the past. Try travelling around New Hampshire, Maine etc with a child who is black. The people act like he is not even in the room and make comments about him. Last year, our summer child was with us in Maine and we ordered ice cream. The clerk was so impatient with him. Then he went back and asked for more napkins and you would have thought the price of a napkin was $3 each. I don't take this type of behavior and have gone toe to toe with many of these cold, bigoted Northeasterners. You would never know it is the 21st century with their close minded intolerance of anyone who is different then them. This year we are hosting 2. They will probably run us out of town!
We always manage to squeeze in a trip to our place in Bayfield. And guess what? They are always so wonderful to our summer child. On our last day one of the store owners gave him a tshirt to remember his time in Bayfield. It is a totally different world up north in WI then out east. We are hoping by next spring to be permanent residents.

I think it is great what you all are doing!!
You are enriching these young people's lives!!

I think I would have flipped out with any ADULT who treated a child poorly like that, no matter what color their skin was. How sad!

[lem]

Originally Posted by CADRMNDANES

I think it is great what you all are doing!!
You are enriching these young people lives!!

I think I would have flipped out with any ADULT who treats a child poorly like that no matter what color their skin was. How sad!

I agree Kate, people like you make our society a way better place to live in.Keep up the outstanding work!!!!

[michelleandzane]

i am a mom of a mixed child and i personally think the fox cities is good. I am in neenah and have had no problems.