A "safe" place for us??

emdeengee · #21 09/02/11, 05:09 PM

I think that it would be a cautionary idea to look for land but to research the area when you find it and before you buy it. A realtor can be very helpful and usually know a lot about the area they work in but they are in business so to buy through them is not the same as a private sale. Speak to the people who would be your neighbours. Go to the churches and schools and speak to the ministers and members of the congregation and the principal and teachers. If there is a local paper or library go there and read about the community. Go to restaurants and stores. If possible speak to other black families and see what their opinion is and what their experiences have been.

shanzone2001 · #22 09/02/11, 05:11 PM

I am reading a lot of white people telling this family where they will be fine...just wondering what the local black folks would have to say.

People here in our town would LOVE to boast that we promote racial tolerance and accept everyone regardless of skin color. Go ask one of the few black people what they think and you might hear otherwise.

My bi-racial son has been called the N word several times and we live in what is considered a liberal, progressive state (CA).

If you want to know what it is like to be black in the community, ask someone who is black in the community...everyone else is just saying what they "think" is the situation where they live....just sayin'.

PS I think this is a troll thread, but I could be wrong.

peri_simmons · #23 09/02/11, 05:53 PM

I was in your situation, so I'm hearing you. We live in Mahoning County , Ohio.

We just decided to buy what we could afford, buy a few weapons and go for it. Our neighbors are not warm and fuzzy, but they treat us with courtesy. I believe they are keeping an open mind abt us.

We started a garden, built a fancy chicken coop. a giant berry enclosure. Folks have stopped by, to talk about what we are doing and complemented DH on what a hard worker he is. So be brave, buy what you can afford, be a good neighbor, and protect yourself!!!

tinknal · #24 09/02/11, 06:43 PM

I hope you understand what I am about to say, and that I say it correctly.

I think if you have an area with a "bad" black neighborhood that whites in nearby neighborhoods will be leary of any blacks that move nearby. There will be a circle of suspicion around any such area where any black person will be suspect.

Get outside of that area and there will still be people who will initially be standoffish and overly polite, but these folks will give you a chance. I would suggest either finding an are with no black people, or an area with a large black middle class presence, absent the "Hood", gangs, etc.

If you are religious folk I would suggest visiting local churches of your or similar denomination on a Sunday morning. Visit with the locals and let them know that you are God fearin' folk looking for a home. Every eyeball in the congregation will be on you during the service, but see how they act towards you during fellowship time. My guess is that when you find the right spot people will approach you and talk and be welcoming when they get to know you.

Good luck and God Bless.

tinknal · #25 09/02/11, 06:56 PM

My next suggestion would be to beware of the crab bucket. If there are people in your life that will reflect badly on you, make them aware that they will not be welcome ( or at least bad behavior will not be tolerated) there.

taylorlambert · #26 09/02/11, 07:09 PM

I have a friend that is black. He moved here from New York He heard from his cousin and a friend about how bad it was down here. He lived in a dorm on campus and one weekend I got him to ride to the house with me to pick up a couch for his dorm room. We got to a town thats 100 percent white and he tried to get in the floor board. I told him get up its the 21 century and we dont hear banjos.

Turns out his cousin and aunt who never had been down here told him how dangerous it was being in the south. I say go for it do a little research and run with it.

Homeschl2 · #27 09/02/11, 07:12 PM

Thanks for your suggestions. Please keep them coming. I am going to research those areas. I know that it's hard to believe that this would be an issue today but it is. The person who was saying this area would not be safe for us is a friend from church, white, and she just echoed what several people told us. And a SAD example of this still being a problem today in America is my husband sings in an accapela gospel quartet that has toured around internationally and the USA. This weekend they were a folk festival in Bangor, Maine. They were invited to one of the directors of the festival house to eat dinner. After they had eaten and talked she told them they would have to "hurry and get back to the hotel, because it wouldn't be good for somebody their color to be driving around after dark." They thought it was crazy, but did as she advised. Then the next day they went to see Stephen Kings house to take pictures to have a car drive by and the driver yell at them "He don't (edited) live there you (edited)(edited)!" Also they had a sound man who is black and lives there, tell them he gets called the n-word several times a week, and people stop and take pictures of him!

oth47 · #28 09/02/11, 07:34 PM

I live in a county where it used to be actually dangerous for blacks,there were none living in the county.Now there are a few black kids going to the elementary school,some Mexican families here and even a middle eastern family owns the local tobacco store.I guess if this county can change there's hope for everywhere.

Ravenlost · #29 09/02/11, 07:41 PM

You'd be welcome in my hometown of Haleyville, AL (northwest Alabama) and you'd be welcome where I live now...Tate County, MS.

Delinda · #30 09/02/11, 08:49 PM

[QUOTE=oth47;5371467]I live in a county where it used to be actually dangerous for blacks,there were none living in the county.Now there are a few black kids going to the elementary school,some Mexican families here and even a middle eastern family owns the local tobacco store.I guess if this county can change there's hope for everywhere.[/QUOTE

I would be willing to bet you are talking about Polk Co. I have lived here most of my life and you are right it was dangerous back then. But thank goodness times have changed here for the most part. We do have one black family that I know of, could be more now. I have become quite good friends with them. They pulled up one day to buy some chicks from me and we have been friends ever since. They are wonderful, like minded people. We talk gardening, animals, homesteading, etc... I always enjoy their visits.

||Downhome|| · #31 09/02/11, 09:05 PM

I say move where you want to.

Would you really want to move to the desert because no one was around and you would be safe from people. But risk dying from drought?

pick a location that works for you and what you hope to accomplish.
if your hard working,Honest,and no how to handle your self.
I would say you would be ok anywhere.

Seems your already aware small town life has certain draw backs. that is true of any new comers. Make good first impressions and know when to share your business and when not, be polite but firm. that is where that knowing how to handle your self comes in.

Horseyrider · #32 09/02/11, 09:41 PM

I wish I could say you'd be welcome here. You'd be welcome by me; but I'm just one person. Sometimes it happens where there are people here I get to know and think highly of, and then they say something stupid like a ----- joke or refer to an area of a town in our county as "N---town." It feels like a physical blow. It changes how I feel about that person forever.

Would they burn a cross on your front lawn? Absolutely not. But would they invite you over for dinner, or to their church, or hire your kids for chores around the farm? Would they make you feel welcome and a part of the community? Probably not. The fact that there are no people of color here speaks for itself.

Who wants to feel frozen out?

It breaks my heart. I came from a town that was proud of it's cultural and ethnic diversity. This isn't a bad place, but in some ways it's not a good place either.

I am so sorry that this still happens here in America, a country that would put a black man in the White House but not in their own house.

SunRiverMan · #33 09/02/11, 09:54 PM

Great Falls, Montana...there is a AF base here making this the most cosmopolitan city in the state and though you might think Montana is racist they do not have the history of the south and don't care either way. I guess I am saying the hate is not here and not tolerated by most people. Crime is low. People in town don't care what color their neighbors are, like that should be an issue.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montana

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Falls,_Montana

rootsandwings · #34 09/02/11, 10:18 PM

Hi!

I'm curious where you've been warned out of.

I live about 20 minutes outside the beltway, NE of cincinnati. (dh says 15 but I think he speeds.)

not far from morrow of unfortunate anti-hispanic diner fame.

there is stuff for sale on my street. i've home schooled three kids - one now in college, two in high school - little miami school system, but if you are homeschooling I guess it doesn't matter.

I don't know very many adults around here, I'm kind of a hermit, and the area is basically white, but the kids at the high school don't seem to care much one way or the other. My daughters friend has bi-racial little sisters (in family adoption) and they don't get funny look that I've noticed.

I understand when you have kids "safe" is a broader term.

I've been shocked a couple of times talking to black in-beltway homeschoolers about experiences their kids have had.

Pam in KY · #35 09/02/11, 10:51 PM

I was born/raised/lived in Cincinnati for the first 41 years of my life and couldn't get out of there fast enough. I've been in the country now for 5 years and whenever I go back to Cincinnasty to visit someone, I feel I've got to watch my back as I walk down any street in any neighborhood. Someone seems to be getting shot daily according to the TV news, which we still get the Cinti channels where we moved to.

I think whomever said it's a matter of "like mindedness" hit the nail on the head. I don't care what color a person's skin is, people are going to be more comfortable with others that share familiar cultural activities/interests. As an example, you don't usually hear the radio in a farm tractor or pickup truck playing Snoop Dogg or 50cent...no, you normally hear Travis Tritt or Alan Jackson. ...just sayin

BTW Homeschl2, your name wouldn't happen to be April would it? I knew a woman in Cinti that was going to marry a man that sang in an a capella choir that toured all over the world.

naturelover · #36 09/03/11, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeschl2

Hello, my family and friends of ours want to move and start living self sufficient farming life. We have 8, our friends have 5 in our families. The issue is we are black. We are to find places were we won't unwelcome just because we are black. We know new people have to work to become party of the community. But even within 40min from were we live here in Cincinnati,Ohio, we have been warned by our friends about how it would not be "safe" for our families (their exact words). So, that being said, does anybody know of any areas that we would fit into? We are looking for 5-20 acres each. Thanks
Mellisa

Montana, Idaho, Washington.

.

lmrose · #37 09/03/11, 06:00 AM

Hi Melissa; I lived in Michigan many years ago with my four bi-racial children. We also lived in California and Ohio. Back then we were persecuted terribly and ended up in Canada where we were accepted without predjudice. I am happy to say things have changed for the better as I have great nieces with both black and bi-racial children who live in my former locales. They tell me they have no problems with anyone!Society is evolving and having a mixed race president helps. If nothing else he has shown the country all people are the same and equal. We all need food, water, shelter, clothing and love.No one asks where the blood came from when they need a transfusion. "God made of one blood all nations of men to dwell upon the face of the earth," It is my own hope anyone who still holds predjudice in their heart will re-examine their feelings and thoughts and realize basically all people are the same. I pray for the best for you, your family and the other family.

sherry in Maine · #38 09/03/11, 07:16 AM

homeschl2 I am so sorry for your dh experience in Bangor! I live a few miles from there (a friend of mine says it's the boonies, but not really) I dont know folks like that (who behave in an ugly fashion) I do know lots who would be welcoming.

I think Me. is a nice state, in the northern area, not so many african americans, but I have seen some. In the southern part of state (populated) there are ethiopian communities, etc.

Again, please dont judge us in Maine by a few idiots (who might not have been mainers, but just stupid so and so's)

geo in mi · #39 09/03/11, 08:28 AM

Go into the local breakfast diner in any town you're looking at. If Fox News is on the TV, keep moving on. It's the new "whites only" sign.

geo

(Originally from Marion, Indiana.......)

TimJ · #40 09/03/11, 09:12 AM

I am from Ohio too. You don't have to leave the state to find a welcoming place at all! Tuscarawas county, Carroll county, and Stark County are just a couple of places you can find land in friendly areas. In my humble opinion, being "black" will not put you in danger at all most places. Not to sterio type, or generalize, but "Blacks" in many cases just don't get it. It is not about skin tone, or hair style....it is about aditude and actions.

And....no, I don't want "blacks" to act "white", but I like people to act "normal" like other people. "Walk", don't strut, shake hands like people all over the world, instead of some african ritual snake dance or something.

Earn an honest days living, and don't blame the people of today, for what people of yeasterday did to your race. Many American's ansesters didn't even come to this country until after slavery was long gone. I, for one! My Great Grandfather came here from Switzerland in 1886. 40 years after the civil war was fought and over. There was no slavery then. He never owned one! Yet, I continue to pay for the actions of some by being victim of "afirmative action" or higher taxes, etc. etc. to support those who feel they are "owed" something.

The fact you are here, and asking about homesteading, says allot about you! Be a good neighbor, and you will find you have good neighbors. If you are looking at land, stop and talk to the people down the road. Once they get to know you, you will be fine. Give them a chance!

Good luck to you my friend.....now go find a piece of property.