ahoward413

We are planning a vacation to Destin, Florida in April of 2017. I have always had anxiety about the south. We are driving from the Detroit area to Destin, I have never been this route, we usually stick to 75 for trips to Florida. Needless to say I have anxiety, especially now post election, about traveling through lets say Alabama. Obviously we will stick to the major highway. Wondering if anyone has any tips, places to avoid? Will we feel welcomed, uncomfortable, targeted in the panhandle? It's sad I am even making this post...but the truth is...ignorance is dangerous and we want to be prepared!
Thanks!

Gretchen

You will be fine anywhere you want to vacation. really. Your money will be welcomed.

RoamsAround

You are blowing this way out of proportion. There are plenty of interracial couples living perfectly normal lives through the south (in general) and in Destin (in particular).

NewbE

I think you'll be fine given the law of averages, and it is a heavily touristed area--Destin, I mean. There are a lot of interracial families in the South in general.

But given that a Florida man--oh, Florida Man!--is in the news for haranguing a Starbucks barista for supposed anti-white discrimination, I do, unfortunately, understand the question. Everyone is on edge these days.

Again, I'm sure you'll be fine, you are not going to a place that is known to be dangerous to your family. So, since you can't control random events, try to relax and enjoy your vacation.

Macross

Destin will be fine, a lot of military there and they have no problem with this but Alabama, I avoid like the plague. I think this country is seeing some hate like never before. A guy was harassed at the Walmart the other day by two different groups, calling him names I had not heard in years because he is Chinese. He came from China and is an owner of two dining establishments and was scared. This was upstate NY, not Alabama. We have had some hate crimes committed in the town I live close by and it is disgusting. The grocery store, schools, churches and people's homes.

dwdvagamundo

I'm truly sorry you even have to ask, but can completely understand. We moved to Atlanta years ago from Ann Arbor and, based on our experience, overt racial discrimination is much more common in the north. You'll be fine. I'd doubt if anyone even notices and, if they do, they'll keep their mouths shut.