Is Springfield, Mo really that racist? (California: college, quality of life, live in)

[BellasDad52]

My job is moving out to Springfield, MO next year, at first I thought it might be nice to move from the busy west coast scene to a nice country type life style. But I see that Springfield is 95% white and I read a few articles on-line that Springfield is a very racist area. My family is hispanic and before moving out there I would like to get a better read on the area before we move. And I would also like to hear from people who live in the area directly versus news articles.

[MORebelWoman]

If you move here with the thought that people are racist then you will surely find those that are. There are many Hispanics in this area and most are good hard working people, some are illegal and we won't get into that.

[Disco Inferno]

It has been 15 years since I lived in Springfield. I'm african-american and american indian, and although I too was warned about the racism, I never experienced it. Most of the racism were found in the smaller towns. I went to college in the area and was asked a lot about if I've experienced racism, so I know its there, but I was not directly affected. Nonetheless, I didn't really care for Springfield or any of the towns around it. Just wasn't for me.

Matter of fact, I now live in NM and I think I've experienced far more instances of racism (mainly looks and a few comments when I pass) here than in Springfield, and again I don't care too much for NM either.

[pams73]

I don't think Springfield is racist at all, especially compared to some other places that I have lived (like the deep south). Yes, the population is mostly white (although that 95% might be a little out-dated), but we are slowly becoming more racially diverse. I'm not going to promise that you will NEVER hear a racist comment, because there are stupid people everywhere in this country. But, I will say that it would probably be a rare occurrence. I work in a pretty racially diverse area (one of the hospitals), and I think the only comments I have heard about someone of another race is that some of the doctors are a little hard to understand (which is true, by the way).

[ElGreco]

Originally Posted by MORebelWoman

If you move here with the thought that people are racist then you will surely find those that are. There are many Hispanics in this area and most are good hard working people, some are illegal and we won't get into that.

Yes, Hispanics are hard working people but racist are not.

[ElGreco]

Originally Posted by BellasDad52

My job is moving out to Springfield, MO next year, at first I thought it might be nice to move from the busy west coast scene to a nice country type life style. But I see that Springfield is 95% white and I read a few articles on-line that Springfield is a very racist area. My family is hispanic and before moving out there I would like to get a better read on the area before we move. And I would also like to hear from people who live in the area directly versus news articles.

From the West coast to MO? It will be shock for you...

[Disco Inferno]

Originally Posted by elgreco

from the west coast to mo? It will be shock for you...

+2

[Curmudgeon]

Here's some more recent demographic data for you. Springfield, MO - Profiles - Diversity Data - Metropolitan Quality of Life Data As for the rest, we moved here from the Left Coast going on four years ago. We live about 55 miles south of Springfield and less than 10 miles from the Arkansas border. If you have only lived in one place there will be some culture shock. However, we've seen and heard very little racism since we've been here. I wouldn't worry about it overly much. I will warn you, especially if you're coming from California, that there are no Trader Joe's, Whole Foods or In-N-Out Burgers.

[MORebelWoman]

Originally Posted by Disco Inferno

It has been 15 years since I lived in Springfield. I'm african-american and american indian, and although I too was warned about the racism, I never experienced it. Most of the racism were found in the smaller towns. I went to college in the area and was asked a lot about if I've experienced racism, so I know its there, but I was not directly affected. Nonetheless, I didn't really care for Springfield or any of the towns around it. Just wasn't for me.

Matter of fact, I now live in NM and I think I've experienced far more instances of racism (mainly looks and a few comments when I pass) here than in Springfield, and again I don't care too much for NM either.

I know exactly what you mean about the racism in NM.

[MORebelWoman]

Originally Posted by ElGreco

Yes, Hispanics are hard working people but racist are not.

How do you know? Just because someone may be racist does not mean they are not hard workers.