mar_76

We're considering taking our first family vacation to the Outer Banks. We're African-American. In all the pictures I see of the OBX, I see no black families. While I have no problem being the only black person around, I'm just wondering whether we will feel welcome. I know it's 2008 and all, and I don't mean to offend any of the OBX locals on here, but on a previous vacation to Myrtle Beach, we had some not so great experiences (inferior service, kids not wanting to play with our kids, etc.) and we can't help but wonder whether race was a contributing factor. Would we be in for more of the same at OBX?

elsiemoo

mar_76, I can't imagine you being uncomfortable on the OBX of N. C. My family was just at a resort in Florida where some kids at the pool didn't want to play with kids in our group .... they all *looked the same* but just didn't like each other! We get lousy service in half the restaurants we visit; I kid you not, and I haven't found a reason for it except service is lousy in some places, and the other customers don't seem to be faring any better!

nohomers

I have been vacationing in the OBX (Duck and Corolla) regularly over past 15 years and cannot recall ever seeing a black family on the beach. A few years back one of my nieces made friends with a black girl while at the OBX but her parents were white (they had adopted her from Africa).

One would like to hope that in 2008 your family would be treated just like another family on vacation - on the other hand some of the people renting the beach front McMansions (at $10,000+ per week) tend to have certain expectations of entitlement that may cause them to be less than welcoming. I'm curious as to what others may say on this issue.

mar_76

Thanks for the responses.

elsiemoo - do you have any specific info about the OBX? I realize that not every slight or perceived inequality is due to race, but sometimes they are. In Myrtle, a little girl told her mother she didn't want to play with "the black girl," right in front of my daughter. The girl's mother said nothing and just walked away with her daughter. This is the sort of thing I'd like to avoid if at all possible.

nohomers - i feel like your post that you haven't seen a black family in your years of vacationing on the OBX validates my need to ask this question. thank you.

nohomers

Your question raises an important (and valid) issue - one which many people wish to avoid or simply feel uncomfortable with discussing.

Based on the license plates (and Redskins decals) Washington DC and Virginia are a large source of visitors to the OBX. Based strictly on the demographics of the region one would expect to see more African-Americans. Yet why do(apparently) few African-Americans visit the OBX? Perhaps others can shed some light on this isue.

fosterag

I am sorry but I have to say this. I can't believe that in this age and time anyone would care about color. I am from Texas. Would anyone say anything to me about my drawl?

KathyK

We have been to the Outer Banks many times and have seen very few African American families. We have done many beach vacations and tend to not see African American families at beach locations. With that said, I don't think you'll have a problem at the Outer Banks. We have found a great family atmosphere there, and from the people we have met there, they won't care what color you are. Go and have fun.

mar_76

Fosterag, you may not believe it, but some people do still care about color. I'm just trying to navigate that reality for my children.

nohomers, that's an excellent point. We're actually from the DC area - maybe we'll ask around up here too. thanks.

elsiemoo

mar_76, I haven't been to the OBX for a few years now; that was just my gut reaction to your question, much like fosterag and KathyK. The people that I meet at our NC beaches ... I can't imagine your having a problem with them. When I think about it though, like KathyK, I rarely see African-Americans at the beaches I frequent. I'm sorry for your experience at Myrtle Beach, and I certainly understand your concern for your children.

Leely2

I was only there once several years ago, but I recall being struck with how few (maybe zero?) African American people we saw. Not saying you or your children would be treated badly, but it made an impression on me.

For what it's worth, I am from California.

Leely2

Oops, meant also to say that the difference between the number of African Americans I saw inland versus the number on the OBX was what struck me.

Skiergirl

mar 76-
I have also never been to OBX so I don't know why I clicked on this thread, but I just wanted to say that I think it's really pitiful in this day and age that people still obviously talk and feel the way they do that you have had these experiences.

I hope you find a vacation spot for your family that is just lovely and fun.

Personally, I love DC, so I hope that is working out ok!

GoTravel

I've been to most of the caribbean islands and the beaches from Maine to the keys and all up and down the West Coast of the US.

I've rarely seen black people on the beach. The exception to that is Miami Beach for Urban/Hip Hop Weekend and even then, few black people on the beach.

Maybe it is because white people go to the beach to get color and black people don't need to.

As for how you were treated in Myrtle Beach, the kids not wanting to play with your kids were from elsewhere and as for inferior service, most waitpeople, attractions help, etc are transient summer help from elsewhere.

What does the OBX have to do with Myrtle Beach? Apples and oranges.

WannabeinaMontserrat

A couple of things here - first off, I don't think the OP should be concerned, you just can't spend your time worrying about what other people think, etc. Most of the places I go, we'll say Amelia Island for instance, the African- Americans that actually go to the beach, go to the historically black, American Beach. You don't see many non-whites on the main beach. Holden Beach (NC) where I have been going since I was a child, did not use to allow non-whites on the beach at all. These days, they seem to migrate towards the end of the beach towards Oak Island, but that is mainly for fishing. So, again, you wouldn't really see any African-Americans on the beach there either, unless you knew where to look. In my opinion you can only control your actions & beliefs, I frankly, don't have time to worry about someone elses' ignorance. In my mind, you are choosing a vacation that may not be typical for African-Americans (based on my college romm-mates input, who are African-American as well) enjoy it.

jstangl

I think you should be fine - most of the visitors are from Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Virginia and even Ontario.

I have seen some African-American families and never saw anybody being disrespectful to them. These days retailers and restaurants need all the money they can get and aren't too particular where it comes from.

Hope you decide to go - hope you have a great time!

cd

We too have taken many, many beach vacations in various locations and have often commented that we rarely see African-Americans at the beach. I don't know why this is, whether it's the Outer Banks or another beach location, but I do find it hard to believe you would be treated differently or not be welcome because of race.

babylon

I did notice more black people at Hilton Head the last time I was there (maybe 2000),and I know the NAFEO (HBCU organization) has meetings there. That might be a good place if you're concerned.

reneeinva

mar - I am so sorry that this is an issue in 2008. It really makes me sad that you even have to think of things like this.

wannabe - I agree with what you are saying, but mar is with his or her children and protecting the children from the harsh ugliness of the world has to be done from time to time.

Dukey

I live in the DC Metro area and I agree there are more than a few folks from here who vacation on the OBX...but there are a LOT of people from a lot of places down there and I would agree that we have seen very few folks of color when we have rented houses there during the season.

It is easy not to worry about other folk's ignorance and sometimes hatred when it doesn't affect you directly.

I do not agree that just because a bunch of people go there from the area where I live is any insurance of comfort.

But it is also difficult to answer your question when i have no idea of some of the things that might make you UNcomfortable (apart from the obvious racial slurs, denial of service, etc.)

Bottom line: if you expect to see a lot of folks of color on the OBX..you won't. If that is the litmus test for you then you'll need to look elsewhere.

Do I think you'll get poor service at the beach? No. Do I think you'll get waited on and be welcomed in the retail outlets? Yes.

When are you going? We have out house the last week in August and the first week in September.

If you're there then come on by and let's have a drink. You'll be VERY welcome in my household.

mar_76

Thanks for all the responses. And everyone is right, blacks don't seem to take beach vacations in large numbers (my family is an exception I guess). But when we've gone to the mid-atlantic (MD and DE) beaches or beaches in Miami, we have seen (a few) other black families, whereas the one other southern beach we visited (Myrtle), did have issues. Don't flame me for lumping all southern beaches together - I know the south is different from place to place.

We'll probably give it a go, as we certainly try not to let that sort of thing determine our lives or our children's experiences (can't protect them from EVERYTHING) - I just wanted to make sure there wasn't an underlying current of racial tension that I was unaware of. For example, if I had been a bit more aware of Myrtle Beach's racial tensions (centering around Black Bike Week, etc.), I'm not sure I would have chosen to go there. We weren't there as a family during bike week, but on subsequent business trips to the area, I could see how the bike week issue colored people's racial perceptions in the area.