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My wife and I are seriously considering a move to the DC area, likely Maryland. I have been looking at this forum and the Maryland suburb forum. What has struck me as odd is the obsession with race. There are multiple threads on both forums talking about the number of white people here or the number of minorities there. There seems to be a particular fascination with White people because there are numerous threads focusing on where they are moving, where they send their kids to school, how old their kids are, where they like to eat, etc. Next on the list is wondering where Black people will go next.
I've been on several other forums and nowhere else I have looked at is like this. Either no one talks about it this much, or talk is at least couched in some sort of innuendo.
So I can't decide if it's just that the DC area is just more open and honest with themselves and willing to discuss these options openly or if the race situation is just really bad.
I suppose a third option is that this obsession with race is simply a characteristic of people who get on city-data.
I'm concerned about this because of my situation. I am Black and my wife is White. We are mid 30s professionals and everywhere we have lived has been in neighborhoods that are primarily White. Our arrival has never been me with other than excitement at having a new neighbor. Based on this forum, I am worried that if people see a movng truck with a black person they will immediately put their houses up,for sale.
Or that as an interracial couple we will have difficulty (that is a theme I have seen as well).
I have loved DC when I lived here right after college, and am excited to live here again, but I want to be happy, and I'm not sure I can if the attitudes on this forum are representative of the population as a whole.
This forum attracts people who are obsessed with race. I live in an up scale DC neighborhood that has been integrated since before the white flight of the 60s and there is no issue of race. Neighbors mix, kids play, teenagers date and no one pay the least amount of attention. In neighborhoods going through gentrification their is some tension because rents are rising and some long term residents are getting priced out of the market. That's economic tension, not racial tension. Sometimes it gets mischaracterized.
This forum attracts people who are obsessed with race. I live in an up scale DC neighborhood that has been integrated since before the white flight of the 60s and there is no issue of race. Neighbors mix, kids play, teenagers date and no one pay the least amount of attention. In neighborhoods going through gentrification their is some tension because rents are rising and some long term residents are getting priced out of the market. That's economic tension, not racial tension. Sometimes it gets mischaracterized.
Quick question if it's economic and not racial tension, why is there no tension between middle and upper income AA's in DC? I think people have really tried to oversimplify the problem. DC actually has a long history of racial tension and I believe that gentrification and the economic downturn has only made it worse, if that was even possible. I would suggest that the OP really do his research before moving into certain neighborhoods.
I suppose a third option is that this obsession with race is simply a characteristic of people who get on city-data.
Yes. Most people just living their lives. The DC area has a very heterogenous population and there are many interracial couples. It is an expensive place to live, but other than that I think it offers everything. Go for it!
Quick question if it's economic and not racial tension, why is there no tension between middle and upper income AA's in DC? I think people have really tried to oversimplify the problem. DC actually has a long history of racial tension and I believe that gentrification and the economic downturn has only made it worse, if that was even possible. I would suggest that the OP really do his research before moving into certain neighborhoods.
Why is there no racial tension in neighborhoods not in the process of gentrification? Why are whites moving into predominantly black neighborhoods? Why are black homeowners willingly selling their houses to white buyers? Who's complaining besides renters?
Quick question if it's economic and not racial tension, why is there no tension between middle and upper income AA's in DC? I think people have really tried to oversimplify the problem. DC actually has a long history of racial tension and I believe that gentrification and the economic downturn has only made it worse, if that was even possible. I would suggest that the OP really do his research before moving into certain neighborhoods.
What neighborhoods are those? And how does one research this exactly? The only places that talk about this sort of thing are Internet forums, and the whole point of my post was whether I can trust said on said forums.
Before you move here, I suggest you spend a week in DC and act like a resident. Go to differen neighborhoods, strole down the streets and greet people pleasantly. Especially those of another race. See how many respond and how many will look at you like you are crazy. Go to the grocery stores, do the same thing. Something tells me that you will soon realize, "where there's smoke there is probably a fire"
My wife and I are seriously considering a move to the DC area, likely Maryland. I have been looking at this forum and the Maryland suburb forum. What has struck me as odd is the obsession with race. There are multiple threads on both forums talking about the number of white people here or the number of minorities there. There seems to be a particular fascination with White people because there are numerous threads focusing on where they are moving, where they send their kids to school, how old their kids are, where they like to eat, etc. Next on the list is wondering where Black people will go next.
I've been on several other forums and nowhere else I have looked at is like this. Either no one talks about it this much, or talk is at least couched in some sort of innuendo.
So I can't decide if it's just that the DC area is just more open and honest with themselves and willing to discuss these options openly or if the race situation is just really bad.
I suppose a third option is that this obsession with race is simply a characteristic of people who get on city-data.
I'm concerned about this because of my situation. I am Black and my wife is White. We are mid 30s professionals and everywhere we have lived has been in neighborhoods that are primarily White. Our arrival has never been me with other than excitement at having a new neighbor. Based on this forum, I am worried that if people see a movng truck with a black person they will immediately put their houses up,for sale.
Or that as an interracial couple we will have difficulty (that is a theme I have seen as well).
I have loved DC when I lived here right after college, and am excited to live here again, but I want to be happy, and I'm not sure I can if the attitudes on this forum are representative of the population as a whole.
Are my fears legitimate or unfounded?
Will people care if you're in a interracial relationship? No. Will people or kids care if you're kids are interracial? No. The problem in DC is that most longtime residents resent the fact that most of the things they feel are important in a neighborhood and places they used to frequent are closing up and leaving. They don't see the appeal of dog parks, bike lanes, coffee shops, organic markets, and small plate restaurants. The discussion has more to do with change than people. For instance, if the neighborhoods were integrated, yet all the stores, restaurants, markets, and home prices stayed the same, we wouldn't be having this discussion.
Before you move here, I suggest you spend a week in DC and act like a resident. Go to differen neighborhoods, strole down the streets and greet people pleasantly. Especially those of another race. See how many respond and how many will look at you like you are crazy. Go to the grocery stores, do the same thing. Something tells me that you will soon realize, "where there's smoke there is probably a fire"
Great advice. If you have a house you are interested in be sure to talk to the neighbors before you make an offer.
Why is there no racial tension in neighborhoods not in the process of gentrification? Why are whites moving into predominantly black neighborhoods? Why are black homeowners willingly selling their houses to white buyers? Who's complaining besides renters?
Well I believe many homeowners complain too. Besides what difference does it make whether or not there are renters or homeowners complaining or whether or not the neighborhood is gentrifying or not. The op wants to know if we have racial tension in dc and the answer is yes.
I simply made the statement that gentrification has not helped race relations in DC. If you don't see that then you must live in a bubble. Go to the Washington times and the Washington post websites and tell me that there is no racial tension in this city. When I'm headed to the Rhode Island avenue metro station and I hear 4 young Black men call a White man a cracker I'd say there is a race problem in dc. And that's not the first time either.
Last edited by dcallday; 02-17-2014 at 10:23 AM..
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