Relocation Fears (Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Iowa City: high school, college, live)

[southerngirl2]

Hello,I'm still new at this and posted in my own reply area.I have done some research and just want to know about Cedar Rapids.I've read about racism in certain parts of Iowa such as Waterloo and Iowa City.As an African American I want to know if CR is a welcoming city for people of color?Iowa has so many possibilities in my line of work,CNA,and I don't want someone else's fears to become my own.I spent only 3 days in DM which wasn't enough time to do very much so I'm planning a trip in June.I appreciate any feedback negative or positive and this forum as my informational guide.Thanks to everyone in advance.

[Dewey59]

I would say if you are not looking for racism, you probably won't have any problems. Racism is everywhere if you look hard enough. But CR is very diverse and accepting for the most part. I doubt you would have any problems as long as you don't cause anyone else any problems. The one possible exception might be if you landed a job in a nursing home.... It was my experience that the elderly population in CR still held on to some of their old bigotries. Shoot for something in a hospital or clinic setting and you will probably be just fine. Good luck!

By the way, you DO know how cold it's been up there lately, right? ;-)

[southerngirl2]

Hello Dewey59,I know exactly how cold it is and I don't believe it's any worse than where I am now..Chicago.I actually love cold weather. Thanks for the info.

[Meemur]

There's plenty of cold weather here to love this winter.

I don't mind cold, usually, but this sub-zero stuff has been tough for me this winter. I'll be glad when it warms up into the 20s and 30s.

[ION1010]

I, too, am from Chicago and have to say racism is far, far less in Iowa than Chicago. Iowa nice, I suppose. I live outside of Waterloo and am surprised at how diverse and accepting the town and people are.

[m_reynolds]

I'm from IL as well and, although white, did notice the displays of overt racism are far less in Iowa. That said, I moved to a college-town that was pretty open-minded. One thing I have noticed about the Iowans I meet are that race is much less of an issue than outward culture. People who dress similar seem to not get noticed but dressing wildly different than the norm will get noticed, if that makes sense.

[Vitae]

Cedar Rapids is fairly diverse and getting more so every day. I can only think of one example I've seen of racism, a student using the N word at a high school football game, and he was IMMEDIATELY yelled at and reprimanded by his friends around him so hard I think he started crying. My niece is biracial and is 10 and to my knowledge has not experienced any race related issues at school. She gets teased at times, but I think mainly for her height (she is incredibly tall).

[fromthe213]

I'm a person of color. I believe you're coming from Chicago? Maybe this is obvious but you will not have the assets and the diversity of race/ethnicity/perspectives/ways of life that big cities have to offer. I bring this up because I underestimated these factors in my own relocation. Racism is more covert here, IMHO. Ignorance/stereotypes - because of lack of exposure to diverse populations - is something I have to navigate.