A question about bigotry in Wyoming (Casper, Laramie: fit in, 2009, big house)

[WyoNewk]

Originally Posted by Drew303

I am mixed black and white, and I grew up in Casper Wyoming, lived there till I was 18. There is definitely ignorance when it comes to other races, since Wyoming is 99.99% white. I dont feel like reading through all of these posts but your wife will get stared at, and whispered about, but I don't think anything will be said to your or her face.

According to the latest census figures I've been able to find, 91.6% of Wyoming is listed as white, Cheyenne 84.9%, Laramie 88.1%, Pinedale 97%, Casper 94%, Gillette 95.5%....

Granted, being white I may be one of those ignorant Wyomingites when it comes to other races, but I think it would be a quite small percentage of people who would stare at or whisper about someone because of their race. In nearly 40 in the state, I honestly haven't seen it.


mfromva,
I hope you enjoy your vacation/fact-finding trip to Wyoming and that it pays off for you. The Sturgis Bike Rally is the first week in August, and hotel accommodations in Gillette will likely be tight and expensive that week. If you visit Gillette, you might want to plan your visit so it's not the same week as the Bike Rally.

[Redraven]

Originally Posted by Drew303

I am mixed black and white, and I grew up in Casper Wyoming, lived there till I was 18. There is definitely ignorance when it comes to other races, since Wyoming is 99.99% white. I dont feel like reading through all of these posts but your wife will get stared at, and whispered about, but I don't think anything will be said to your or her face.

Well, golly-gee-whiz, I am 100% white. I think. Can any of us be really sure?
Anyway...
When we moved to Greybull many years ago, there were a lot of stares, a lot of whispers, and a lot of gossip, but that is just small town life. That happens to newcomers.
When we bought a house, it was still referred to as the previous owner's house, even 8 years later, when we left.
Even though my step father had been a resident of the area, and in his early life had been a cowboy on one of the largest ranches, and rode in the local rodeos, etc., it didn't help us be more accepted.
As has been said, you will get back what you put out. If you go looking for racial problems, you will find them. If you act out racial stereotypes, you will be branded with them. If you simply act like a "normal" person (whatever that is), you will be treated as a normal person.
Good luck.

[Drew303]

Originally Posted by Redraven

Well, golly-gee-whiz, I am 100% white. I think. Can any of us be really sure?
Anyway...
When we moved to Greybull many years ago, there were a lot of stares, a lot of whispers, and a lot of gossip, but that is just small town life. That happens to newcomers.
When we bought a house, it was still referred to as the previous owner's house, even 8 years later, when we left.
Even though my step father had been a resident of the area, and in his early life had been a cowboy on one of the largest ranches, and rode in the local rodeos, etc., it didn't help us be more accepted.
As has been said, you will get back what you put out. If you go looking for racial problems, you will find them. If you act out racial stereotypes, you will be branded with them. If you simply act like a "normal" person (whatever that is), you will be treated as a normal person.
Good luck.

So when I was called the "N" word, it is bacause its what I put out? Damn it why did I go looking for racial problems like that?

[ckhthankgod]

I know that Cheyenne has small, but noticable Black community at about 3-4% due to the Air Force presence and Casper and Laramie are about 1-2%, tops. Are there any other towns with a noticable amount of Black people? I know there are quite a few Mexicans and maybe some Native Americans as well in parts of the state.

[wyolady]

Originally Posted by Redraven

As has been said, you will get back what you put out. If you go looking for racial problems, you will find them. If you act out racial stereotypes, you will be branded with them. If you simply act like a "normal" person (whatever that is), you will be treated as a normal person.
Good luck.

Yeah Redraven, gotta agree with drew303 on this one. How does one "act out racial stereotypes?" And why must I act normal based on someone else's version of normal to be treated appropriately in a community? I believe racial prejudice in Wyoming is one of those issues that "is what it is" - no more, no less. It exists, it isn't fair, but it isn't rampant and I don't believe greatly compromises a quality way of life here. But it is what it is. . . .

I did laugh out loud when you said "When we bought a house, it was still referred to as the previous owner's house, even 8 years later, when we left." That ssssooooo happens in our community, and it is really a bit funny. We lived in our house nearly 8 years as well and when I go to the county to pay my property taxes, after giving MY name and address, they still turn to me and say "You live in the Green house, right?!?!" I say yes and everything goes smoothly.

[wyoquilter]

Originally Posted by mfromva

One thing that's up in the air right now is the route from Yellowstone to Casper. I'm not sure if we should go via Thermopolis and check out that town, or via Buffalo and Gillette. Your thoughts?

Either route will give you different views of WY. Going via Thermopolis you'll miss some nice mountain country. Going via Buffalo you'll miss a big chunk of the deserty part of the state and the hot springs in Thermopolis. Thermopolis is a nice town, but it's a bit touristy because of the hot springs. As another poster stated if you pass through Buffalo and Gillette during Sturgis Bike week finding a room or a room that is affordable, in case you need to stop for the night, might be an issue.

[snowman0u812]

My buddy and I went to the bar last night with a gal in our class who is Indian, super nice, and the guys at the bar I was B.S.'n with just kept taking pot shots at her, why I don't know, she didn't even say a word to them. I was like sheesh!, just out for a few beers. It got worse when she went on the dance floor and tried to learn to 2-step. But it's not just here, it's everywhere, so just remember people are gonna say what they want and they're is no sense worrying about other people and what they think .

[wyoman]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

First off, I think you should check your facts. Most of, all of, some of, people were, etc are pretty general statements.

There were some folks riding bikes near Cody. People talked about it??????? What, 2 or 3 people? Your general statements are trying to indicate that the MAJORITY of the people were talking about it.

Please don't generalize on something like this. Have you interviewed even ONE SINGLE SOLE to find out why they come to Wyoming and they answered because of Race??????

Start owning your statements. I think, not we think, or most people think. Unless you can come up with some facts and numbers with teeth.

Amen bother'

[wyoman]

Originally Posted by Happy in Wyoming

There weren't "folks riding bikes". There were teenage blacks riding aimlessly for hours on the street and into various parking lots. There was one in the Wal-mart parking lot when I pulled in. I stared at him and he left. If you know anyone in Cody call the person and inquire.

Now you want some hard facts and numbers.

1) In the recent presidential election, Obama received a lower percentage of the vote than in any other state.

2) Wyoming is the only state, repeat only, that has absolutely no laws, civil or criminal, against hate speech, hate crimes, etc.

Before I moved to Wyoming, Evanston first and later Cody, I spent a good bit of time here visiting with people. We covered a lot of territory. I was satisfied that a good majority shared my values. One of the subjects we discussed was race. The bulk of the people had a racialist attitude that I found agreeable. Oh yes, some of the newspapers, Chambers of Commerce, etc. would like to turn this into another California. But I don't believe it's likely to happen. People here are just a bit too confident of themselves and their values.

I have no idea as to who you are, where you live. or anything else about you. An individual may be anyone he chooses in a forum like this. I assume that you are a product of government schooling as you can't differentiate between /sole/ and /soul/.

Who keeps bringing up race? Seems to be a BIG thing with you-kids on bikes are just kids on bikes-I'm sure distastefull look made them feel real good-what do you think of older people on bikes-white-ok-black -indian etc. trouble makers? Give em the look-maybe you should get a bike? Only jokin-probably not humorus to you Also, what makes you an expert on wyo values and exceptence of our people-red-white-black and blue? You most have interviewed all our great citizens? I missed the interview so this why I say -don't speak for the great people in this state, you have no real contact with us. Have a great day at least once in your life, ask someone how there doing and mean it-of course make sure they are of your pre-approved ethnic group.

[Huckleberry3911948]

friend you like indian people this is great
so do i.
i like people in wyoming.
but marrying out of the black culture has still not healed racisim has it.
but its a good 1st step
i have a dream.
signed
a non white