Move To Greenville ? (Jackson, Memphis: live, shop, stats)

[thebrat81]

I Would Like Some Info... My Boyfriend And I Are An Interacial Couple.. He Is Black And I Am White... I Grew Up In A Small Town In Pennsylvania Which Is Where We Are Now... He Is From Greenville, Ms... And He Wants Me To Move There With Him... The Only Reason I Am Still In Pa Is Because Of My Family..which Is Now Almost Non Existent... They Dont Like That I Am With Him (someone Of Another Color) And The Tension Is Getting To Be To Much And I As Well Just Want To Leave And Go Far Away..and Since His Dream Is To Go Back To Greenville.. I Been Considering It, But Know Little About It.. He Did Tell Me That There Used To Be Alot Of Racism There..that There Was A White Ppl Section And A Black Ppl Section. Which He Has Alot Of Family There..so I Will Gladly Go To His Part Of Town.. I Am Not Racist And Dont Care What People Think... I Just Dont Want To Make A Mistake And Move To Another State Knowing Nobody And End Up Making A Big Mistake... If Anyone Knows About Greenville Plz Email Me And Let Me Know What You Think..is It Good For Kids?.. I Have A 6 Yr Old, 5 Yr Old And A 9 Yr Old....

[jlrich]

Well first, Greenville is 70% black so there isn't really a lot of white sections and black sections, mostly black sections...obviously with the higher percentage. Most of the "white sections" of years ago are now "black sections". Most of the white people live outside the city limits. At least to me this seems to be more now than years ago. Of course the uppity whites still have their areas which will never change. You might catch more flack from the black folks than the whites...who knows.

Second, Greenville is not the best place to raise kids but at their current age you probably won't have much trouble. When they start getting in their teens it might be different, but that's anywhere, especially with teens.

You can look at all the stats and read all the information you want but you really won't know unless you go there, which you should probably do for at least a week or so.

It is very depressing to me every time I go to visit. Although Greenville has 40 something thousand people (less than years ago) it is the largest town for at least 100 miles or so, which is Jackson. There is absolutely nothing but flat farm land for miles and miles in the Miss. Delta. You have to drive to Jackson or Memphis to "go somewhere" because Greenville is THE place to go due to the rural, outlying areas. Everybody in the small towns go to Greenville, including the neighboring towns in Arkansas.

[sad delta]

Move to Greenville? You won't get a more critical reaction than you do anywhere else being an interracial couple. However, the economy here is "sad"....much like what you said is happening in your hometown in PA. I'm sure the only reason people come back to Greenville is to be with family. You hear it over and over again. Opportunity is not something Greenville offers. People LEAVE Greenville, they don't usually come here to stay. Although many do come, they promptly leave after a short stay! No change is in sight for us. But, your experience may be different. You won't know until you give it a try! Good Luck! And by the way, there is a racism here like your boyfriend said..there is a great wave of blacks hating whites..and it is evident with every grocery store, walmart, and shopping trip you will take while you are here!

[jlrich]

Originally Posted by sad delta

there is a racism here like your boyfriend said..there is a great wave of blacks hating whites..and it is evident with every grocery store, walmart, and shopping trip you will take while you are here!

I was trying to be as positive as possible and not say something along those lines but you are absolutely correct in your statement.

[gobigred]

All I can say is to get ready for culture shock. The MS Delta is like no other place on earth and you will see why when you visit. However, on a positive note, it may be well worth it if your boyfriend's family is loving and receptive toward you.