I am not a demographer. Nor am I a sociologist. Consequently, I cannot offer any technical definitions or analyses.
However, I do have something that most "experts" don't possess: first-hand, day-to-day experience living as a Black person in the suburbs.
See, I'm not really sure how the classifications are set up. I don't know the defining parameters that distinguish an "urban" area from a "suburban" region from a "rural" place. I just know that I'm about an hour from New York City, and 90% of the people that I call my neighbors are rich and White. The average price for a home in my township easily clears the $400,000 mark, and the public high school parking lot is filled with brand new Accords, BMWs, and Benz's--not exactly a blue-collar town.
I have a lot I'd like to share on this issue, but before I do, I'd like to see how many Black suburbanites I've got out there.
Holla back and share any of your experiences, perspectives, and observations with us.
Peace.
3 comments:
You suggest that living in the suburbs requires a certain financial status. This is a dangerous assumption. In some cases, the Black suburbanites lived there BEFORE it was suburban. (Most suburbs were once rural areas). Which means you could have poor Blacks living in a very affluent area. This can be very difficult especially on parents. Keeping up with the Joneses is not even an option because the income/wealth gap is so large.
Mr. Lee,
In response to "Black in the 'Burbs, I grew up in an area that was rural and then was developed into a suburb. The area was mostly Black. Within 10 years, the area was developed and marketed to be "The American Dream". It was!!! The best schools, recreation centers, stores and etc... The only factor was that the people that were already there were left out. I attended the better schools, where I was the only minority in my class. My sister and I were the only Blacks on the cheerleading squad, softball team, and gymnastic team. I am not saying that being the "first" is a bad thing. The question should be at what cost? What is it going to cost being the "first"? Don't get me wrong, there were perks being in such an environment. For example, if you made good grades in school,you could join the Beta Club and attend the convention in Myrtle Beach,SC at no cost. My sister and I went every year. On a serious note, for me, the cost was my self-esteem. I never did fit in, mostly because of the economic factor. My classmates had the Honda Accords, there were a few Benz, BMW, Jaguars. I remember when computers and cable TV first became available to the masses. Almost all of my classmates had cable and computers. Back then computers were extremely expensive. Having access to pertinent resources did not stop my achievements, it only meant that I had to work extremely harder. Growing up Black in the 'Burbs wasn't all bad. I was able to be exposed to things very early in life. For example, exposure to the arts-spoken word, music, literature, other cultures, languages. I am so ever grateful, because I have a passion for the arts. Getting back to my main point: Whatn is it going to cost in the long run to have the "black in the 'burbs" experience? Thank you for the opportunity to express my point of view.
Be Blessed
Very interesting topic -
I am a Black suburbanite with a wife and 2 kids stuck in the proverbial "Catch 22". I grew up in the 'burbs, but I was around my own people. My general area was made up of 5 different neighborhoods with ALL middle-class black families. We had the benefit of good schools, recreation, etc - without leaving the comfort of being around "your people". Now that I'm older - I feel hard-pressed to find any neighborhoods like this anymore - being surrounded by your own yet carefree of the environment/negative influences (not a coincidence, by the way). I call myself providing my family with a good livin', but what have I done? We have our little slice of America, but now I'm the "fly in the buttermilk".
You mentioned you have a lot to share on this issue - I'd like to engage.
...Gershom (Exodus 2:22)
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