interracial couple moving to Atlanta. Good idea? (population, counties)

[atlantagreg30127]

Getting back to the original poster's question...

Generally, people no longer raise eyebrows with Hispanic/White couples here unless maybe you're in the FAR burbs (Acworth would not quality as the "boonies"), and then only if the Hispanic of the two speaks very poor English - at which time folks here will get the riled up attitude of, "they refuse to even learn our language... ", etc. Otherwise, friendly hard working people aren't controversial anymore.

There will from spot to spot still be the awkward glance if you see a black male with a white woman, and especially a black woman with a white man (much rarer to see here), but Hispanic/White or Asian/White don't usually draw attention.

[marenga]

Hi Rachel,

I HAVE LIVED IN ACWORTH, GA FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS. I'M STILL HERE AS I WRITE THIS TO YOU. ACWORTH is still mostly white but has a fast-growing latino population, more than 20% by my estimation of what I see here everyday :-), possibly more. There are some black people (maybe 5-10%) here as well.

NO ONE (who matters anyway!) would think anything about your mixed racial marriage. YOU WOULD FIT IN JUST FINE HERE. There are no KKK rallies or any obvious bigotry, except for the occasional redneck (who doesn't matter anyway!).

One more thing... DO NOT CONFUSE ACWORTH WITH ATLANTA. They are two totally different places. Those of us who've lived in Metro Atlanta for years know that. Moderator cut: Removed. I'll let you decipher that for yourself - Inside has a different breed of people - more like NYC. Outside is suburbia. If you need more info, feel free to PM me.

Good luck.

[marenga]

Atlanta is definitely not 80% black. Last I read the City of Atlanta, meaning like the downtown area, is 53% black, possibly slightly more now. I've been here for 40+ years and I can assure you that 4 out of 5 people are not black. See my other post on this subject for definitions of Atlanta (inside vs. outside of the perimeter).

M

[backfist]

Hi Rachel

We're an interracial family--I'm Black, my wife is White and our kids are beautifully biracial--and, although we've only been here for a short time, we've had no problems. Then again, one must define "problems", right?

For us, we know that there are plenty of people who still see our marriage as offensive, wrong, etc. The responses are just a little more hushed. But we've been married for over 20 years, so we don't spend too much time worrying about the folks who don't accept us. And although there are plenty of White people who still have a problem with it, there are plenty of Black people who share a similar ignorance. That's a disappointment to me, since my parents and ancestors sacrificed life, limb and dignity for the freedom to love and marry anyone we choose. (sorry for the editorial, there)

Rare is the occasion that someone will actually say something or do something. However, it's wise to remember that this is the South and it does take a little longer for some folks to let go of their ignorance. Right now we live in North Fulton, near a lot of shopping and transporation. It definitely costs more than the south side of the metro area, but we feel like it's a necessary trade-off. Enlightened and forward-thinking people are a little more prevalent.

Hopefully the south and west sides will catch up.

[faithlasts]

I am a Georgia native and live in Forsyth County. However I plan to move over to Barrow County after the first of the year. I have many Hispanic friends who have relocated to the Winder/Auburn/Carl, GA areas. They are members of a prospering Catholic church which is in the process of building a new sanctuary. I am a Christian first, a Baptist second, and caucasian third. Heaven is not segregated! You are going to face prejudice every where you go. My friends who relocated here from Mexico have introduced me to their family and I attend all birthdays, first communions, etc. They don't look at the color of my skin. I don't have any idea of what Acworth is like but I know you would be welcome in Barrow County. (It's adjacent to Gwinnett County and in northeast Atlanta.) Hope you have a safe journey and God blesses you richly!
Sincerely,

[Miguel]

Atlanta's demographics are changing so much right now. I am Hispanic and I have shown interracial couples homes in all areas. I have yet to see any issues with mixed couples.

[cassarina]

Perhaps I can help with the information about the racial makeup of Atlanta/Atlanta area. Fulton,Dekalb and Clayton Counties are the only counties in and around Atlanta with a black population of 50-60%. I live in Coweta County and the black population is about 17-20%. You can find good information at Georgia.gov. The couple will be ok in in most areas of Atlanta. I am an African American transplant from New Orleans and I love Coweta, Fayette,North Fulton, and Cobb County. I would not live in DeKalb or Clayton because of crime. Being a white/hispanic couple is not a big deal. Being a black/white couple would rub whites the wrong way more than blacks. A black/white couple would want to live in mixed neighborhoods, and avoid rural, remote areas.

[shannon13]

Hi I am a black woman from Nyc and my husband is a white and a native of Atlanta, We live in Marietta (East Cobb) I find it very hard to believe in 2007 I could face so discrimination, I also feel our relationship is the most uncommon (in Ga anyway) We have faced everything from intrigue and curiosity to angry glares and outright rage from both black and white people. We have been called race traders and my husband was call on more than one occasion a N***** lover.We have patronized restaurants and stores and no one waited on us or so rude to us we left on our own.Our children also have had a hard time here, when people find out they are not hispanic (and they do look hispanic) you can see a change in there attitude.Our neighbors are not friendly to us and we live in a mixed neighborhood.I also find the natives have more trouble with it than people from other places.I am not saying everyone is like that here but it was enough to make it unpleasant for us. We are moving out of Georgia next year and I for one cannot wait.This is a real strain on our relationship.I wish you luck!

[backfist]

I'm sorry to hear that, Shannon. Suffice it to say, you and your husband have sacrificed for other IR couples and families. While we all know that some of these hateful things are less common today than they were 20 years ago, they can and do still happen. We've been there; we know. Many of the things said to you, were said to us 20 years ago. Hateful people have not disappeared.

Rest assured that you did nothing to provoke this kind of thing. It's not because you're from NY; it's not because you didn't keep your yard manicured; it's not because you didn't smile submissively. Hateful people will always find ways to express their hate, and someone somewhere will always find ways to minimize such behavior.

It's too bad you're moving, but it's understandable. Best of luck.

[Alpharetta123]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Getting back to the original poster's question...

Generally, people no longer raise eyebrows with Hispanic/White couples here unless maybe you're in the FAR burbs <snip>
There will from spot to spot still be the awkward glance if you see a black male with a white woman, and especially a black woman with a white man (much rarer to see here), <snip>

Depends on where you live. I've seen more black female/white male couples than I've seen anywhere. I am personally acquainted with four such couples.