Racism in Rhode Island (Providence, Warwick: apartment, public schools, college)
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Stuff like that is why I could never live in a place like Texas, even though I've been to Austin a couple times and it's super cool. I still remember when Rick Perry held a giant rally to pray for rain during a drought, which got surprisingly little criticism for being unconstitutional, as I thought it clearly was. (It didn't work, either.)
Sadly, I agree - the people here are wonderful, and there was something magical about Austin when I first moved here - it's gone now as gentrification took over, and the politics was always a sore point. This is why I want to move back to the NE - grew up in MA, but highly prefer RI for a lot of reasons. I'm happy to sense my daughter and I will both be accepted :-)
RI is majority Catholic and the largest Jewish community is on the East Side of Providence. Cranston, Newport, Barrington and other towns have Jewish populations as well, but not quite the same feel of community that comes with having a 'Jewish' hospital, nursing home, community center, nursing home and schools in the neighborhood, like the East Side. Just my non-Jewish observation, LOL. Although I'd have to look up the stats to be sure, while the East side is the most Jewish zip code in the city, I think it's probably also the least Hispanic. Not that it would be a problem It's a diverse, eclectic, highly educated neighborhood..
By East side, I assume you mean Rumford, East Providence and Riverside? Sadly, I didn't even visit these areas when I went back in September- people definitely seemed to try to sway me away from that area- couldn't figure out why, and we were running out of time anyway so never made it there. I see that it has a huge Jewish population, and would have loved to be near the Jewish Alliance, but the immediate area is expensive and out of my price range. Rumford and Riverside were more affordable, but the schools don't seem to be quite up to par with West Cranston. I've got to admit to feeling right at home in W. Cranston.
By East side, I assume you mean Rumford, East Providence and Riverside? Sadly, I didn't even visit these areas when I went back in September- people definitely seemed to try to sway me away from that area- couldn't figure out why, and we were running out of time anyway so never made it there. I see that it has a huge Jewish population, and would have loved to be near the Jewish Alliance, but the immediate area is expensive and out of my price range. Rumford and Riverside were more affordable, but the schools don't seem to be quite up to par with West Cranston. I've got to admit to feeling right at home in W. Cranston.
Nope, confusingly, "East Providence" and "East Side of Providence" are two different things. Rumford and Riverside are neighborhoods in East Providence, which is an independent city.
Speaking of the Jewish Alliance, you should email Wendy:
I kind of disagree with the previous poster about racism being more open here than in the South. I've had black friends tell me "At least I know where I stand down there. Up here, it's more guarded and subtle'.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CanaLilly
As for racism here in the South, it's true - some people are very open about it. Being in Austin (or any city in TX, really), there's a lot more acceptance than there is in the rural parts of the state, but we still have a long way to go.
The short time I spent in TN, I heard much less everyday racist talk among my coworkers, etc. compared to back home. There was a great deal more integration and interaction between races, and interracial families seemed more common/accepted. Maybe TX is different, I don't know.
The short time I spent in TN, I heard much less everyday racist talk among my coworkers, etc. compared to back home. There was a great deal more integration and interaction between races, and interracial families seemed more common/accepted. Maybe TX is different, I don't know.
I would NOT move to western Cranston, if your primary concern is racism on your daughter's behalf.
Most of the people who live on that side town are non-Hispanic whites who were born and raised in either eastern Cranston or adjacent areas of Providence. The reason why they now live in western Cranston or nearby Scituate is to get away from all of the Asians, Hispanics and, to a lesser extent, blacks who have now moved into eastern Cranston.
This isn't a new phenomenon, either - as long as I can remember, "white flight," as demographers call it, has been occurring in eastern Cranston.
For further validation, I suggest you mingle in the western Cranston community and ask residents for their opinions of the eastern side of their city. I can guarantee that people aren't going to be very complimentary.
If your budget can afford western Cranston, then I suggest looking into communities that have higher percentages of transplants, who, in Rhode Island, tend to be more open-minded than the natives. Some options include the likes of Barrington, Bristol, Tiverton, East Greenwich, etc.
Although cities / towns like Cranston, Warwick, Scituate, etc. have upscale neighborhoods with decent public schools, there are more native Rhode Islanders in these areas, who have stronger tendencies towards racism and close-mindedness.
Once you move to Rhode Island, you will quickly learn that Democratic =/= liberal or progressive, just like Republican =/= racist or bigoted.
Last edited by Bert_from_back_East; 11-14-2016 at 12:44 AM..
I would NOT move to western Cranston, if your primary concern is racism on your daughter's behalf.
Most of the people who live on that side town are non-Hispanic whites who were born and raised in either eastern Cranston or adjacent areas of Providence. The reason why they now live in western Cranston or nearby Scituate is to get away from all of the Asians, Hispanics and, to a lesser extent, blacks who have now moved into eastern Cranston.
This isn't a new phenomenon, either - as long as I can remember, "white flight," as demographers call it, has been occurring in eastern Cranston.
For further validation, I suggest you mingle in the western Cranston community and ask residents for their opinions of the eastern side of their city. I can guarantee that people aren't going to be very complimentary.
If your budget can afford western Cranston, then I suggest looking into communities that have higher percentages of transplants, who, in Rhode Island, tend to be more open-minded than the natives. Some options include the likes of Barrington, Bristol, Tiverton, East Greenwich, etc.
Although cities / towns like Cranston, Warwick, Scituate, etc. have upscale neighborhoods with decent public schools, there are more native Rhode Islanders in these areas, who have stronger tendencies towards racism and close-mindedness.
Once you move to Rhode Island, you will quickly learn that Democratic =/= liberal or progressive, just like Republican =/= racist or bigoted.
Or Conservative in terms of Republican.....People have different reasons for why they vote the way they do.
I'm actually surprised by the question, as a simple demographic check will show that there places with substantial Black and Hispanic populations in RI. A lot of Cape Verdeans of various complexions as well. You can view school and other demographics on these sites: Search For Schools and Colleges
You can do the same for other places, school districts and the map can allow you to view demographics at the census tract and census block group(neighborhood) levels too.
I would NOT move to western Cranston, if your primary concern is racism on your daughter's behalf.
Most of the people who live on that side town are non-Hispanic whites who were born and raised in either eastern Cranston or adjacent areas of Providence. The reason why they now live in western Cranston or nearby Scituate is to get away from all of the Asians, Hispanics and, to a lesser extent, blacks who have now moved into eastern Cranston.
This isn't a new phenomenon, either - as long as I can remember, "white flight," as demographers call it, has been occurring in eastern Cranston.
For further validation, I suggest you mingle in the western Cranston community and ask residents for their opinions of the eastern side of their city. I can guarantee that people aren't going to be very complimentary.
If your budget can afford western Cranston, then I suggest looking into communities that have higher percentages of transplants, who, in Rhode Island, tend to be more open-minded than the natives. Some options include the likes of Barrington, Bristol, Tiverton, East Greenwich, etc.
Although cities / towns like Cranston, Warwick, Scituate, etc. have upscale neighborhoods with decent public schools, there are more native Rhode Islanders in these areas, who have stronger tendencies towards racism and close-mindedness.
Once you move to Rhode Island, you will quickly learn that Democratic =/= liberal or progressive, just like Republican =/= racist or bigoted.
While rather harsh, this comment is largely true. Best for you to choose a town as close to salt water as you can afford.
I see that it has a huge Jewish population, and would have loved to be near the Jewish Alliance, but the immediate area is expensive and out of my price range.
You should also look in the Oak Hill section of Pawtucket, right over the line from Providence. Prices are comparable to western Cranston, it's in (decidedly the northern fringe of) the Jewish community, and it's a diverse, tolerant, and close community. Our local synagogue (which is Orthodox; the Reform synagogue is about 2 miles away in Providence) has several nationalities among its membership, and our last rabbi was half Mexican. Our state rep is Cape Verdean and state Senator is a lesbian.
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