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What are the cities and metro areas where you feel a very strong African American presence- not just in terms of population, but also regarding cultural presence and influence in the region.
For instance, Id argue that black people have a stronger presence in Chicago than NYC, despite the AA population being higher in NYC. They make up a larger percentage of the region in Chicago and they seem to carry more clout, politically and culturally.
Pretty much any city which has or has had (in recent memory) a black majority: Atlanta, DC, Detroit, Newark, Oakland, New Orleans.
I also agree with your point on Chicago vs New York. It probably has something to do with Chicago's population having mostly Southern US roots, while a large number of New York has foreign roots, especially from the West Indies.
Chicago also had two main races until the past 30 year or so - white and black. New York always had more of a mix. Chicago going back to the 1960's or so was a city with a big black history and black political wing that built itself up fairly strong. For whatever reason there's always been a very very large employment base of black people in the city/county jobs, etc.
As the city confronted its racist past there were a lot of milestones that went along with that, black mayor, black chief of police, black county board president, powerful black alderman, black school chief, etc.
As the city confronted its racist past there were a lot of milestones that went along with that, black mayor, black chief of police, black county board president, powerful black alderman, black school chief, etc.
Chicago is still a pretty racist place. It's not like this is some racial utopia, or anything resembling one. Also, Chicago's black population is the poorest out of any of the top 10 cities in this country. In fact, the only poorer minority are the Latino's in Phoenix.
I think for NYC, there are some nearby cities/suburbs like Newark, East Orange, Mount Vernon, Hempstead and perhaps a few others, where there has been a strong Black presence/influence for decades. NYC is unique in that the city has had a Black community for close to 400 years. Even the wall that gave Wall Street its name was built by Black folks during slavery. So, NYC's Black presence/influence goes back centuries and is diverse culturally. Chicago has the long history as well.
Philadelphia may be another city, as it is the metro where the first HBCU was created(now known as Cheyney State), has had Black folks in various positions, has another HBCU in the area(Lincoln University) and a long history in the area. It also is around 45% Black, if I'm not mistaken.
Baltimore is another city/area that could fit.
A sleeper may be Dayton OH, with 2 HBCU's in the metro and is about 40% Black.
Cities with a strong cultural/political/influential black presence (in no particular order):
Washington DC
New York
Newark
Philadelphia
Detroit
Baltimore
Chicago
New Orleans
Oakland
Atlanta
Maybe add Houston, Memphis and St. Louis, but I've never spent much time in them. so I can't speak from personal experience.
But in any of the others, black people are integral to the identity of the city, weild significant politial influence, played a big part in their history, and are a sizable part of the city's culture.
Cities with a strong cultural/political/influential black presence (in no particular order):
Washington DC
New York
Newark
Philadelphia
Detroit
Baltimore
Chicago
New Orleans
Oakland
Atlanta
Maybe add Houston, Memphis and St. Louis, but I've never spent much time in them. so I can't speak from personal experience.
But in any of the others, black people are integral to the identity of the city, weild significant politial influence, played a big part in their history, and are a sizable part of the city's culture.
I think it would be safe to add those 3 cities/areas. Birmingham may be another city. Nashville may also be considered as well.
Oakland CA, Norfolk VA, and Richmond VA all have a high % of African Americans
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