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I think one of the things that sort of trips people up is there's two kinds of black/white interracial couples. On one hand, there's the kind of black person a white middle-class person would date. On the other hand, there's the type of white person who would date a typical black person.
FWIW, I see lots of interracial couples (and even more interracial kids) here in Pittsburgh. But 90% of them are working-class whites with working-class blacks. This is particularly common in the areas of the city (and some outlying mill towns) where the population is pretty evenly split.
The black middle class is much smaller proportionately (big brain drain out of the region) and tends to be more socially isolated than a lot of other cities (to the point you really see no black people at all in a lot of the "hip" bars/restaurants).
I think one of the things that sort of trips people up is there's two kinds of black/white interracial couples. On one hand, there's the kind of black person a white middle-class person would date. On the other hand, there's the type of white person who would date a typical black person.
FWIW, I see lots of interracial couples (and even more interracial kids) here in Pittsburgh. But 90% of them are working-class whites with working-class blacks. This is particularly common in the areas of the city (and some outlying mill towns) where the population is pretty evenly split.
The black middle class is much smaller proportionately (big brain drain out of the region) and tends to be more socially isolated than a lot of other cities (to the point you really see no black people at all in a lot of the "hip" bars/restaurants).
I wonder if that has to do with said folks going to places that are more in line with the local black professional scene too. Some may also form their own events on the low as well.
In terms of further up, I'm also wondering if it is a matter of said people living in relatively close proximity or at least going to the same schools. Especially in the mill towns/smaller cities outside of Pittsburgh, which have had long time black populations and the white population is more ethnic. Meaning, both groups likely arrived in these communities around the same time and don't know any different. So, places like Donora, Monessen, Beaver Falls, Midland, Homestead, the Aliquippa area, New Castle, McKeesport, Rochester, New Kensington/Arnold, Washington, Uniontown, etc. are the types of places where this is likely to and does occur. That's not to say they are perfect, but given the close proximity and history, it makes sense.
Last edited by ckhthankgod; 02-11-2022 at 09:41 AM..
I wonder if that has to do with said folks going to places that are more in line with the local black professional scene too. Some may also form their own events on the low as well.
That is absolutely the case. Also, the black professional scene has exited the city for the eastern suburbs (particularly the Monroeville area).
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckhthankgod
In terms of further up, I'm also wondering if it is a matter of said people living in relatively close proximity or at least going to the same schools. Especially in the mill towns/smaller cities outside of Pittsburgh, which have had long time black populations and the white population is more ethnic. Meaning, both groups likely arrived in these communities around the same time and don't know any different. So, places like Donora, Monessen, Beaver Falls, Midland, Homestead, the Aliquippa area, New Castle, McKeesport, Rochester, New Kensington/Arnold, Washington, Uniontown, etc. are the types of places where this is likely to and does occur. That's not to say they are perfect, but given the close proximity and history, it makes sense.
There was historically pretty virulent anti-black racism in these towns, even through around 20 years ago. In a lot of these places, black workers were first imported as strikebreakers, which left a bad taste in peoples mouths for generations.
But with the younger generation of working-class whites, there's been an almost total assimilation to black culture in the more urban neighborhoods. I mean, I used to see it all the time in my old neighborhood (before it gentrified). All of the teenage white boys and girls were into hip-hop, wore black fashion, and even tried to talk black. One of my black coworkers told me one night she was freaked out when she heard people screaming the n word back and forth in her neighborhood, and it was just two white teenagers talking to one another.
Pittsburgh probably is somewhat atypical however, as there's a relatively large number of working-class white folks who still live in urban areas, as opposed to out in the sticks.
That is absolutely the case. Also, the black professional scene has exited the city for the eastern suburbs (particularly the Monroeville area).
There was historically pretty virulent anti-black racism in these towns, even through around 20 years ago. In a lot of these places, black workers were first imported as strikebreakers, which left a bad taste in peoples mouths for generations.
But with the younger generation of working-class whites, there's been an almost total assimilation to black culture in the more urban neighborhoods. I mean, I used to see it all the time in my old neighborhood (before it gentrified). All of the teenage white boys and girls were into hip-hop, wore black fashion, and even tried to talk black. One of my black coworkers told me one night she was freaked out when she heard people screaming the n word back and forth in her neighborhood, and it was just two white teenagers talking to one another.
Pittsburgh probably is somewhat atypical however, as there's a relatively large number of working-class white folks who still live in urban areas, as opposed to out in the sticks.
Interesting...Which places in particular are you referring to? I ask because the black population in many of these places have been there for at least several decades, if not over a century.
Black-interracial dating population has and always will be inversely related to the black population of an area. The U.K which is 2% Black, has the vast majority of Afro-Caribbean people who are 2nd and 3rd generation being mixed race.
43% for Afro-Caribbean's, 62% for other Black (Non-African/Non-Caribbean).
Now back to the U.S. It seems like the majority of non-African people I here about from Portland/Seattle are either mixed race or in a mixed-race relationship. PNW while progressive also has basically no black people outside of pockets of South Seattle/South Seattle Suburbs and the city of Portland. So, I think it's honeslty the perfect mix in that regard. NorCal, especially Sacramento-San Francisco-Stockton seem similar, although it's gonna be less strictly Black-White, and more Black-Asian, Black-Hispanic or Black-Other relationships.
Interesting...Which places in particular are you referring to? I ask because the black population in many of these places have been there for at least several decades, if not over a century.
I heard that there are lots of places in the Allegheny part of Pennsylvania where you can find Confederate flags. Even Gettysburg of all places.
Interesting...Which places in particular are you referring to? I ask because the black population in many of these places have been there for at least several decades, if not over a century.
Off the top of my head? Wilmerding, Pitcairn, East Pittsburgh, Duquesne, Clairton, Mckeesport, McKees Rocks, Sharpsburg. Bellevue, ect.
I can't speak to the social dynamics firsthand, but some small Rust Belt cities have sizable populations who identified as both White and Black (and sometimes at least one other group as well) on the 2020 census. The city of Sandusky in north central Ohio has close to 6% of residents who checked both the White and Black boxes - about 1,500 out of 25,000. The national average is closer to 1.5%.
Off the top of my head? Wilmerding, Pitcairn, East Pittsburgh, Duquesne, Clairton, Mckeesport, McKees Rocks, Sharpsburg. Bellevue, ect.
I believe that Duquesne has been predominantly black for a while now. McKees Rocks I believe got the bulk of its black population later. Clairton has had a black population for decades, as has McKeesport. So, a few of these are a little bit different.
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