Multicultural Family Thinking of Moving to NOLA (New Orleans, Sun: fit in, movies)

[topaz88]

My husband and I are considering a move to New Orleans, but honestly my biggest fear is that we will be treated differently because we are a multiracial family. I know that New Orleans is a very liberal city compared to the rest of Louisiana (vote democratically, gay friendly, etc.) but what about when it comes to race? I am 1/2 Filipino, 1/2 Italian but I guess most people look at me and think I'm "hispanic" and my husband is African American (although of Puerto Rican descent). Visibly we look like an interracial couple, although we look much more different than a regular black/white couple. I'm from Seattle so the only thing I know about the South is what I've seen in movies, which often portrays race relations in a negative way. Is New Orleans any different? Any thoughts?

[mhounit]

You will NOT stand out .

[annie_himself]

You will not stand out. New Orleans is open to bi-racial families.

[JimLFT]

Originally Posted by topaz88

.....the only thing I know about the South is what I've seen in movies....

Hollyweird rarely has a clue...

Best of luck to the two of you! You'll fit in just fine in New Orleans, as you would in most of the south these days.

[thepointykitty]

Nope, not a problem here, especially in the city itself. A lot of the suburbs are pretty homogeneous, but New Orleans is what it is because of several hundred years' worth of culture blending.

[Mrs. Fury]

Seaux not a problem. You will fit in fine. Please come we'd love to have you!

[TormentedYeti]

The white people, hispanics, and asians probably won't give you a hard time.

[WestbankNOLA]

Very few people will give you a hard time period in N.O. unless you go looking for one.

[Aceter]

Originally Posted by TormentedYeti

The white people, hispanics, and asians probably won't give you a hard time.

If that's supposed to mean that the black populace is intolerant then you are sadly misinformed. You see, there is a such thing as second line season, when black social clubs have second line parades every Sunday for 3 months. At the second lines these days you can find more and more whites in attendance fitting right on in with ease without any incidents. You can't find that type of peacefull coexsistance in a social setting among normal citizens of different groups like it is in New Orleans. And that's not to mention that Mardi Gras is the same way, no incidents, no tension at all.

[thepointykitty]

Originally Posted by Aceter

If that's supposed to mean that the black populace is intolerant then you are sadly misinformed.

Seriously! I'm white and regularly have interesting and fun conversations with strangers of various races (and ages) in the park, the grocery store, the streetcar, the post office etc. The vast majority of people are very friendly here. Sure, there's an occasional jerk, but that's par for the course. In my experience, most people are friendly and helpful.