Young African American Family relocating (Phoenix, Tucson: hair salon, straightener, school district)

[kdog]

Originally Posted by annibelle

Arizona is the most prejudiced state in on the west coast.

The whole state? How do you know?

[annibelle]

Originally Posted by phx78

As a 20 something African American male that has attended both HBCU and mainstream universities on the East Coast, I would rate Phoenix, Arizona as being OK for African Americans. There are black neighborhoods in AZ; South Mountain Village of Phoenix areas immediately east of central Phoenix come to mind. There are multiple hair salons, barbershops and several popular eateries such as Honey Bears, Miss White’s Kitchen and LoLo’s Chicken. First Institutional Baptist, Pilgrims’ Rest on E. Washington St. and Tanner AME immediately east of 7th st are the most prominent black churches in the valley. Despite the criticism I have read and heard before coming to Phoenix 4 years ago, there are black outlets in Phoenix for social, spiritual and cultural activities. One must keep in mind how many black people are in AZ and your expectations accordingly. The Arizona Informant, the black newspaper, can give you more info on African American life in AZ. Again, AZ is not a bad place overall for African Americans, but like moving to any new place, be ready to embrace everything where ever you decide to call your new home has to offer.

As for the comments by the other posters, I agree with some of the negative comments, particularly about the social isolation. However, Phoenix, in my opinion, has yet to develop the level of civic interaction or pride other major cites have and contributes to social isolation. This can be witnessed by going to a baseball game and counting the number of jerseys worn for the opposing team, especially if Sand Diego, the Yankees or Cubs are playing. Many, even some of those born in the AZ, have their hearts set on somewhere else, they just happen to live in Phoenix.

Thanks for the comments. Wish I'd read it before relocating. It would have helped our family tremendously. I'm sure it will be like gold for others. Unfortunately, we moved too far south of Phoenix. We'll be visiting Phoenix more often.

[exlexisnexis]

The black population in Arizona is very small compared to other parts of the country I lived in (mostly the north east) but I have not seen or heard of any racial incidents between black people and other races.

[Artliquide]

Originally Posted by annibelle

I'm African-American. I've been living in Southern Ariz. for about 1.5 years. I wish someone would have told me 1.5 years ago not to move here. There are few African-Americans here for a very good reason. Arizona is the most prejudiced state in on the west coast. It is the souths equivalent of Mississippi. The school system is lacking. I never thought I'd see a school system worse than Cali, but it is. I have to drive my children to a different school system. It's okay but not great. My daughter has been called the "n" word by another Kinder at school. Luckily, she didn't know what it meant. Other children exclude her.One girl said, "Don't play with her, she doesn't look like us". Raytheon hires many African-Americans with good salaries and packages. Most do their time(about 3 years) then leave. They can't take the small mindedness and cultural isolation. I struggle, but I'm a fighter. I just don't believe in letting anyone or anyplace get the best of me. Still, I wish I had never come. Many other African-Americans I talk to feel the same way. They all plan to leave in a certain amount of years. I'm sure this blog will get people (who have not walked in my shoes) to say it's the opposite. The people who are from here don't realize the problem because they are used to it. You only know it's a big (and bitter) difference if you come from out of the state. Just remember this: there is no black nucleus, no black owned stores, no cultural places to eat food we enjoy, no black hair salons, nothing. I live in a huge, comfortable home. My husband makes a nice salary. Still, that will never replace the feelings of being culturally and socially isolated. Just don't do it. You will thank me!

Wow, that makes me sad. I have had African-American friends over the years here in AZ and have really not seen any prejudice, but I'm in the Phoenix area. Are you an engineer? Up here in Phoenix, there's General Dynamics, which does defense engineering projects as well. Maybe you could relocate and give AZ another chance?

It's true that there are fewer African-Americans here in AZ than there are Caucasians and Hispanics, so if you're looking for a predominantly African-American community, it might be difficult for you, unless you move to one of the nice historic neighborhoods in downtown Phoenix (I lived there for a while and there were many African-Americans there and many cultural activities for African-Americans). But if you're looking for masses of African-Americans, there just aren't that many. However, if you don't mind living among other cultural groups, I assure you that Phoenix is not hicktown anymore.

(edit)
I just read the rest of the thread. I just wanted to add that I think it's terrible what your kids have had to endure. Honestly, I was not aware of the racism in the Tucson area. Of course, there are racist people everywhere, Phoenix included, but I'm used to be around people of all skin colors and don't see a racist problem here in general, so I guess I just figure that racism occurs in isolated incidences and most people around here get along. Your experiences make me sad though. I wish everyone would just chill. I ditto again what the other poster said about central Phoenix having many African-American oriented activities, compared to the rest of Phoenix. I used to go to an African dance class at a predominantly African-American community center. Heritage Square also has occasional festivals, and I remember standing on the fringes at a coming of age ceremony for African American girls. I didn't want to intrude, but I was fascinated, being a white girl who never had any kind of coming of age anything. Another thing I like about central Phoenix is that there are all these African-American activities, but the area is not isolated in the least. My neighborhood contained all kinds of people from various heritages. I really loved it

[pynkpanther]

my husband and i both attended hbcu's. the best advice i can give any black person is to not move to the phx area into a community based on how people look, move to an area based on the values you have in common with the others already established there. also, speak with other like-minded black people and ask them what they think. there are too few black people to not personally ask them for their advice.

[JennieJenofAz]

Well, I'd check out the place first. Get a feel for it. Look around. Go to alot of the stores, restaurants. I'm in Mohave County and no there's not alot of African Americans, but there are some here. I worked in the casinos in Laughlin and my boss, that I was close to, was black and she and her family live in Kingman. I also shop in Kingman and I've seen black families. I go to Bullhead to visit mom and I see black families. I think the black population is slowly growing. I grew up in southern Ca and it's so not like that here! I've also seen a few Asian families in Kingman. I think Kingman has a bit of a variety. But like I said, it is slowly growing. I think the people are pretty cool about different races, I mean, having worked in the casinos with many different races such as Mexican, Asian, Black, I've never had any problems, well, except for the loser boyfriends, but that's another thread.............

[Arizona Bound]

Hi.. My wife and i do not have any problems with black people.. a couple of our closest friends are black. But, when we lived in vegas, we could only afford an older home back then which was basically a mostly black neighborhood. To be honest.. they did not want us there, nor did they reach out to get to know us at all. maybe because they were just not use to a white family in their neighborhood, i do not know what the real reason was, but they literally threw us out of there. We could only take 6 months of the name calling, the vandalism to our home and cars, and the threats. The problems we had while living there seemed to be from anyone who was 30 years old and younger.. anyway, i would never want them for my neighbors again.. even after they grew up. I do not know if this is a widespread problem, i just know in vegas, if you are white.. don't move into N. las vegas.

[annibelle]

Sorry folks. You really are missing the point. I'll say it again. I did not come to arizona looking for a black community because I did not come from a black community in california. In cali, the area was predominantly white. The major difference is that in cali the color of my childrens' skin was never an issue. In arizona it is. Why do people think that just because people are so unkind to my children that suddenly, I'm looking for a "black" neighborhood? That's not the answer to anything. I emailed my friends in cali, who are mostly white, and they were absolutely appalled. I guess cali is just more accepting of everyone and everything. I have accepted that arizona, from my own experiences, is not that kind of place further south. By the way, Phoenix was great.

[Artliquide]

Originally Posted by annibelle

Sorry folks. You really are missing the point. I'll say it again. I did not come to arizona looking for a black community because I did not come from a black community in california. In cali, the area was predominantly white. The major difference is that in cali the color of my childrens' skin was never an issue. In arizona it is. Why do people think that just because people are so unkind to my children that suddenly, I'm looking for a "black" neighborhood? That's not the answer to anything. I emailed my friends in cali, who are mostly white, and they were absolutely appalled. I guess cali is just more accepting of everyone and everything. I have accepted that arizona, from my own experiences, is not that kind of place further south. By the way, Phoenix was great.

This is what you posted:

"Just remember this: there is no black nucleus, no black owned stores, no cultural places to eat food we enjoy, no black hair salons, nothing. I live in a huge, comfortable home. My husband makes a nice salary. Still, that will never replace the feelings of being culturally and socially isolated. Just don't do it. You will thank me!"

To me, it sounds like you'd like to live in a community with black culture. Either way, I hope you venture out and find some people who enjoy diversity, no matter their skin color. Cali may be more diverse, but it's also more dense. You don't have to drive around as much looking for people or cultural activities. Glad you liked Phoenix

[ChoiceArizona]

I am from the midwest and my wife from the south. Those areas have a ton more racial problems. Arizona is great, for the most part, when it comes to different races. I don't know about Lake Havasu but would guess you'd have little trouble there. Arizona is a pretty good state to live.
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