Interracial couple in Salt Lake (Salt Lake City, West Valley City: fit in, live, professionals)

[arrandil]

Hi all, my wife and I are a married interracial couple (I'm white, she's black) who recently relocated to SLC. I grew up in Utah but have been away for the last 16 years. She has never lived here before. We are educated professionals with liberal political views, are not LDS, and have no children. Thus on several fronts we don't "fit in" to the local culture.

I don’t think that, overall, Utahns are any more racist than any other part of the country. However, they have little to no experience with non-white/non-LDS people. We do get a lot of stares when we are out in public, and the occasional sour look. I won’t lie, the lack of diversity is already starting to get to my wife. If we could meet people in a similar situation (or at least open-minded and accepting) it would make the transition to this new culture a whole lot easier.

[Juanito]

Interesting.

Some people don't like Utah because it's too diverse; then I read that where I live (West Valley City) is dangerous because it has so many immigrants.

But my coworker's husband is Haitian. She hasn't mentioned any problems. But she lives on the dangerous, disreputable West Side.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by arrandil

Hi all, my wife and I are a married interracial couple (I'm white, she's black) who recently relocated to SLC. I grew up in Utah but have been away for the last 16 years. She has never lived here before. We are educated professionals with liberal political views, are not LDS, and have no children. Thus on several fronts we don't "fit in" to the local culture.

I don’t think that, overall, Utahns are any more racist than any other part of the country. However, they have little to no experience with non-white/non-LDS people. We do get a lot of stares when we are out in public, and the occasional sour look. I won’t lie, the lack of diversity is already starting to get to my wife. If we could meet people in a similar situation (or at least open-minded and accepting) it would make the transition to this new culture a whole lot easier.

My husband has a black friend and former co-worker ("former," because my husband is retired) who is married to a white woman. They are not LDS. They are originally from St. Louis but have been here for something like 25 years. It's a second marriage for them, and they have no children here in Utah. They have been very happy here. The man is going to be retiring soon and they're still undecided as to whether to move back to St. Louis or stay here in Salt Lake City.

[DelaneyRudd]

I wouldn't know what specifics to offer without making stereotypical assumptions, but social functions in Salt Lake City will have more liberal minded people. Perhaps finding a group that participates in a favorite hobby or social cause will introduce you to more people. I think this state is a bigger culture shock for black women than black men. Even though the percentage of African-Americans here is small it is predominantly male, and even the amongst the total of black women it's heavily young with one white parent.

[BuckeyezRule]

I'm sorry you are getting not so nice looks. =( I have numerous mixed race friends. White wife, African American hubby, white wife, Hispanic hubby, Hispanic wife, white hubby. If you did have kids I'd PM you the Mom's group I'm on that is great!

Though, as you mentioned, some people here perhaps have not seen many mixed race couples so they stare maybe out of curiousity?? I am seeing many families that are adopting African babies/kids, so, hopefully it will be more commonplace soon. =)

Good luck to you! =)

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Look on www.meetup.com to find an activity you would enjoy. Having friends and things to do make folks feel more a part of the community.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[DelaneyRudd]

A lot of people assuming that the black person they know is happy as a clam. lol

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by DelaneyRudd

A lot of people assuming that the black person they know is happy as a clam. lol

I'm trying to figure out what prompted this statement or whose comments you were addressing. Would you mind clarifying?

[BuckeyezRule]

Originally Posted by DelaneyRudd

A lot of people assuming that the black person they know is happy as a clam. lol

For me, personally, in Utah, I am friends w/ 1 African American person, who is male. I hope to meet more. I was friends w/ many in Ohio. There are more of Hispanic descent here, & I am friends w/ more of them here than I was in Ohio. FWIW, the male I am friends w/, we are candid, neither he, nor his wife has expressed racism/oppression.

I can imagine not being or looking the 'same' as 'everyone else' is intimidating. It might be the case anywhere. I, myself, felt 'out of place' in Memphis, when we visited, as, it is predominately African American.

I sometimes just wish everyone was colorblind. But, that is me. I'm, I guess, an idealist, a glass 1/2 full. Rosy colored glasses. lol

[4thesport]

I am also in an inter-racial marriage. I'm Korean and my husband is Caucasion. We have always gotten stares, but we don't really care. I think it's more curiousity more than anything. We also just have 1 daughter which does not fit the mold here. We are not LDS either. We've been here in SLC since May, moved from Arizona. So far I have only had one run in that wasn't very pleasant with an LDS mother.

I would happy to meet you. We are always looking to meet new people to hang out with. We are actively searching for a good sitter so we can have more adult time as well.

Feel free to send me a personal message.