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I'm an African-American woman in her mid 20's considering a move to the New York City from TX. I'm curious if there are any other African-Americans on the forum that could share their experiences in living there. What challenges have you faced? I'm looking for positive experiences along with negative ones. Basically: a balanced view. I'm not looking to be offended or expecting the worst if/when I go there. Just trying to get a realistic outlook. Even if you don't have any remarkable stories, I would just be very interested to hear your general impression of it...
I'm a Black guy (African American seems so politically correct, and I wasn't born in Africa) but my experience here is great. I'm a native and I love my hometown.
NYC is probably one of the best places because racism isn't really a factor here. Experience and knowledge speaks in volume here.
But whatelse would you like to know. Be a little more specific.
In my experience, it’s a mixed bag with more pro than con. One of the biggest pros is that there is a mix of everyone here, so I rarely feel like I stand out (except when walking around the Upper East Side). But because there is a mix of everyone, I encounter tensions that I wouldn’t have to deal with in a less diverse area of the country, like Africans vs. Americans of African decent.
Am I going to get in trouble for mentioning that in mixed company? Oh well.
I still get followed by store security at lower-end places, but have no problems at places I expect to be snooty. And I like that I don’t have to go to a rough neighborhood to buy hair products; they carry Kinky Curly at Whole Foods. Amazing.
I have never felt that I have been discriminated against in the NYC professional world, but I’m accomplished in my field, have a good education and have worked in non-profits and media where everyone is a bit odd.
Oh, I have definitely faced housing discrimination. I went to fill out an application for a place in Manhattan and the manager immediately gave me an application for a place in the Bronx (nothing wrong with the Bronx, just didn’t have the view I was looking for). I had to be firm that I was applying for a certain apt in a pretty white Manhattan neighborhood. Although my name is Arabic, it is considered a “Black” name and I used my initials or use my husband’s bland name when making initial inquiries over the phone or through email. It made life easier. (My parents did the same when bought their last house and boy was the banker surprised when they showed up at closing.)
Sadly, because there are so many poor blacks in NYC, too many people think that is all we are. There aren’t wealthy black enclaves here like there are in other cities and middle class black folks are a novelty to too many.
I'm not African American, but I am from the south originally. From what I have noticed time and time again here in the north east is that you're less likely to know who the racists are. In the south those who are racist generally don't make many strides to hide it. Racism is just as prevalent up here as in the south; however, not as open.
I have never felt that I have been discriminated against in the NYC professional world, but I’m accomplished in my field, have a good education and have worked in non-profits and media where everyone is a bit odd.
This is key in New York, especially Manhattan. New Yorkers respect talent and people who are really good at what they do. This town is much more concerned with education and class than ethnicity.
Frankly, the more you're like the Obamas (i.e., Ivy undergrad, Harvard law, thin and concerned with health and nutrition, poised and articulate) the more you'll fit in in Manhattan.
Hopefully, I can offer another unique perspective. Umm... where to begin?
Okay. First of all, I am a Chocolate brother who is originally from Central America.
I migrated with my mom to the U.S. when little. I encountered tension from black/brown American kids while growing up in East New York and Brownsville. This was due having English as 2nd language.
After grasping English language and slang, I got into specialized middle school and elite high school where different people mostly interacted with me positively. Cosby Show raised folk consciousness.
To make long story short, I came back to NYC after earning degrees at school in midwest.
When coming back, I hustled jobs from city goverment to private pharmaceutical industry. Even after rough economic times, I managed to land on my feet in a private social service sector. That said... New York City is a place not for thin skinned people of any color. Any assertive person of color that is disciplined and treats others with respect they deserve can overcome trials here. This is what I tell my cousin who lives near Fort Hood in OP's neck of the woods. peace
Sadly, because there are so many poor blacks in NYC, too many people think that is all we are. There aren’t wealthy black enclaves here like there are in other cities and middle class black folks are a novelty to too many.
Off-topic, but why do people say this? Blatantly false information.
Queens is the only county in the United States where black households have a higher median income than whites. Queens' median income is above national average income, clearly there are tons of middle-class blacks in that borough alone.
And there is only one other city with as many upper middle, upper-income blacks as NYC and that's Washington DC and its suburbs (in percentage only). In sheer numbers, that goes to the NYC and its suburbs, which is also #2 in terms of percentage.
Off-topic, but why do people say this? Blatantly false information.
Queens is the only county in the United States where black households have a higher median income than whites. Queens' median income is above national average income, clearly there are tons of middle-class blacks in that borough alone.
And there is only one other city (and metropolitan area) with as many upper middle, upper-income blacks as NYC and that's Washington DC and its region (in percentage only). In sheer numbers, that goes to the NYC as well as its region which is also #2% in terms of percentage.
Also, you can find suburbs with a substantial to high Black percentage with plenty of middle class Black folks like: Wheatley Heights, Baldwin, parts of Mt. Vernon, parts of White Plains, and quite a few communities in NJ and CT, amongst others.
There aren’t wealthy black enclaves here like there are in other cities.
On the other hand, perhaps enclaves aren't necessary in New York (as they may be elsewhere).
It's somewhat similar to gay neighborhoods. Gays don't need to live in Chelsea because the also live in the Village, the East Village, Hell's Kitchen, Park Slope, DUMBO, Fort Greene, Williamsburg, Astoria, and on and on. They are everywhere so there is no need for an enclave.
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but I loved living in New York.
