Interracial couples traveling south

Old Feb 23rd, 2006, 06:34 PM
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Interracial couples traveling south

We would appreciate any in insight into the type of reception an interracial couple (black and white) might receive in Savannah, Georgia. I’m planning a trip with my cousin to Georgia for genealogy research. We understand that
Atlanta is multi-racially kosher.

We live in California, so we’re not used to encountering any grief. We’ve never had problems anywhere up or down the west coast, Europe, Hawaii, or Mexico. But as far as the south goes, we’ve only visited New Orleans, and we did encounter some palpable tension. For the most part our tourist dollars were welcome, but openly grudgingly and even not at all in some places.

Can anyone shed some light?

Thanks, Kat



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Old Feb 23rd, 2006, 06:38 PM
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You will not experience any problems.
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Old Feb 23rd, 2006, 07:08 PM
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You will hardly be noticed it has become so common, even in small towns.
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Old Feb 23rd, 2006, 07:56 PM
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Town of 10,000 in MS........no one pays any attention...........good luck to you. I don't think you will miss a beat.........calm down and come enjoy yourself..........
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Old Feb 24th, 2006, 03:58 AM
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Savannah is a port city with a large military complex. We have about any combination of races that you could think of. If you are treated badly anywhere is very possible that is the way that a lot of the customers are treated. Some places are just plain unfriendly.

The Main Library on Bull Street has a large genealogy department with old newpapers on microfilm.

The Georgia Historical Society is another research center. There is a very good chance that the snobs that work there will ignore you. My husband and I went there once. Never again. The woman that was on duty that day was beyond rude. However, I understand that they have a lot of good stuff, so if you receive a poor reception there, please don't think it's because of the color of the skin. It may be the usual attitude of the person working the desk. They may require membership now, I don't know.

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Old Feb 24th, 2006, 01:06 PM
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Did you know that the mayor of San FRancisco in the early 1960s suggested that it was time for the darker-skinned folks to move back to the South, that they'd overstayed their welcome?

That's the best light I can shed on this subject. It is an individual thing and unfortunately there are some ugly individuals. And there are people who perceive things. So hold your head up high and laugh at those who would be so unfortunate by their short-sightedness to miss out on your wonderful company.
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Old Feb 24th, 2006, 02:30 PM
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Indeed you can encounter racial and other hostility anywhere. You can encounter rudeness and ignorance anywhere. How would you perceive the situation if you walked into a candy store, walked up to the counter and the young girl behind the counter turned and walked anyway when you tried to purchase pralines. Odd… We were the only customers. But then the next person behind the counter turned and walked away. None of the four people in this store would acknowledge us. And suddenly the next person to walk into the store gets greeted and served. This was our first day in New Orleans.

I should also explain that as recently as the early 70s, relatives of mine had a “falling out” with one of my mother’s cousins for dating an African-American. It caused a break in the family that has resulted in the California branch not knowing any of the Georgia branch…until now.

It’s a relief to hear that it’s no big deal anymore.

Thank you all for your valuable input. Especially Aileen for the genealogy info, and Ike as our search will eventually take us to MS.


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Old Feb 24th, 2006, 03:43 PM
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mzkat, you are more than welcome for the info. In fact, check out the library web site:

http://www.liveoakpl.org/

Click on Services. On the list is "Genealogy/Georgia History" It gives an overview of what they have. There are scads of books dealing with several of the other states too.

I'll agree with you that your treatment in New Orleans was crappy. Things like that happen. Just wait until you get old, creaky and gray haired. Invisible is my middle name unless I just barge in and do The Cranky Old Lady thing. Not too long ago, on the spur of the moment, I dropped in to a travel agency to see if I wanted to go through them or do it myself. I'll admit that jeans and sweat shirt aren't impressive, but the "lady" implied that I couldn't possibly afford her services. So, as I left, I told her to take our name off her mailing list as I didn't think I would ever use her agency. Gee, the look on her face was wonderful.
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Old Feb 24th, 2006, 04:40 PM
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I truly understand your trepidation in traveling through the south. My husband (black in his mid 70's) and I (white - mid 60's) were on our way to the Chesapeake Blues Festival in Delaware from Ft. Lauderdale when our RV gave out near Savannah. We had wanted to get through GA as fast as we could (my husband left GA when he was very young and never wanted to go back -EVER). However, we were shocked to find wonderful, caring people who worked on our RV past closing hours to fix it and treated us with the utmost respect. My husband was so nervous when we pulled up to the gas station that he wanted me to hide in the back of the RV under a blanket just in case some white men got upset when they saw us. I did as he asked until I realize that JEWISH WOMEN do not hide and came out to join him. Anyway, we had a wonderful experience and vowed never to assume that people will hate us altho we realize that there always a few nuts out there and it only takes one. A young man was shot in his car a few years ago in Ft. Lauderdale because he was driving with a white woman. We've had people come up to us and just stare ...these things happen. But, we are planning a month long trip to the southwest (Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Sedona, Northern and Southern CA) and hope that things have indeed changed. We're hoping and praying.
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Old Feb 24th, 2006, 05:36 PM
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mz:

I've travelled to the Carolinas to vacations on the beach and honestly there is more interracial couple mixing than up north in Pennsylvania and nobody really cares one way or the other.
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Old Feb 25th, 2006, 04:51 AM
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Our family has welcomed two mixed race couples in our family. My son has a wonder ful black wife, and my grandkids are gorgeous. The other couple, black female white male welcomed a baby just yesterday. Our family looks at it this way We are of the same race....the human race. Ps we live in the south!!
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Old Feb 25th, 2006, 07:22 AM
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Five years ago at Atlanta airport got snowed in with business associate. Went to Holiday Inn, my black male friend asked for room at hotel desk, got checked in and then the clerk walked away. I asked, "What about me?", clerk replied, "I thought you were with him". I am white female. I like my friend,but we are both married to other people. Guess, inter-racial couples are taken for granted at airport. I got another room.
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Old Feb 25th, 2006, 07:49 AM
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The last two postings were wonderful and reassuring to hear. However, those of us who are black and white do run into strange things at times. I was feeding my husband in the hospital when a white doctor came in to examine him and asked me who I was and turned red when I told him and was nasty to boot. A black nurse who was really kind to my husband before she met me had a whole different attitude afterward. Just let's say that some people have evolved and others have not and leave it at that. Have a wonderful trip mzkat.
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Old Feb 25th, 2006, 09:42 AM
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Dear sparkerlaw:

That’s a lovely story! Thanks so much. You made me reflect on all the first hand accounts that both my husband and I grew up with that gradually colored our impressions of an entire region of our country. I realized that all the cautionary tales were over 20 years ago, or a generation.

I appreciate your feisty spirit too! I’m 44 and my husband is 54. We’ll be celebrating our 20th anniversary this fall. He was born in Arkansas, so like your husband remembers some “unpleasantries”. It’s nice to hear that it’s no longer an issue, and that things continue to evolve even when you’re not looking.

Your southwest trek sounds great! You too should be fine. We’ve been to Vegas a couple times, and no one batted an eye lash =) You’ll of course blend right in in California.

Best wishes fellow travelers!
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Old Feb 25th, 2006, 12:12 PM
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Thank you mzkat - and Happy Anniversary to you. You're 10 years ahead of us..we will celebrate our 10th anniversary this fall. A small aside. When I called my son & his wife in Fairafax VA to tell them I got engaged and to who and that we'd be visiting soon, they told my then 6 & 8 year old grandsons. Their first reaction was "will he shoot us?"..this of course came from watching Washington DC news shows - very sad. Now, they're 16 & 18 and think having a black grandfather is the coolest thing. Go figure. Love to meet up w/you both when we're in CA the end of May. Let me know if that appeals to you.
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Old Feb 25th, 2006, 04:36 PM
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Mzkat...this is a little off topic, but I thought you would like to hear my confession. Yes, a couple of days ago, I was staring at a couple.

We were at a basketball game at the YMCA. ( and bored stiff) Scads of parents all over the places. Parents of every size, shape, and color. Everyone was having a ball, talking, watching and enjoying each other's company. I caught sight of a little boy , about 4 or 5 and his fair skin, blonde haired mother. The child was remarkable because he definately had something differnt for a father. But I couldn't figure out what. I stared. He was a handsome little fellow, but his skin was quite dark, but not the usual coloration that we normally see from black/white parents. I had about decided that he must have been adopted from overseas (we have a lot of those kids) when his father walked up. I caught myself really staring then. His dad was the darkest American Indian that I had ever seen. Really really dark!! It was then that I could see the high cheek bones and the reddish color that the child had gotten from his dad. I am just glad that neither one of the parents had glanced my way while I was so engrossed in the child.

So if anyone stares, it may be because you make a good looking couple.
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Old Feb 26th, 2006, 07:12 AM
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Aileen,

I appreciate you warmth and honesty. I’m sure even we sometimes stare at other mixed couples…a bit. Usually, if I make eye contact with anyone, they smile…we smile. It’s okay =)

A white friend of my aunt’s (who later married my mom’s cousin, but I digress) had two bi-racial children in the 60s. When people would stare she would tell her daughters something like what you said: “They must think you’re very good looking!”

Thanks again for your encouragement!


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Old Feb 26th, 2006, 07:14 AM
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My husband and I have traveled all over the south and have never encountered any problems. Racism is everywhere and ugly people everywhere. I wouldn't sweat it at all.
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Old Feb 26th, 2006, 07:27 AM
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Sparkerlaw,

I was thinking the same thing…we feel such a kindred ship. You can email us at [email protected]

We’re in Sacramento, which may not be on your itinerary. But we could meet you in San Francisco or there abouts, if that appeals to you. Around the end of May, Sacramento has the Jazz Festival (or Jubilee?) in Old Sacramento, if that appeals. It’s over the Memorial Day weekend…I think.

We’d love to hear from you and live vicariously through your trip, as we have yet to make it to the Grand Canyon.

Thanks again!
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Old Feb 26th, 2006, 07:28 AM
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ooops... that's "yahoo.com" d'oh!
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