African Americans in Twin Cities (Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park: fit in, university, living)

[NewOrleanianLA1]

I have several basketball scholarships I am trying to narrow down for Fall 2012 and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers happen to be one of my choices.

One thing about Twin Cities that appeals to me is its location by the Mississippi River just like my hometown of New Orleans plus its reputation as being one of the most lively metro areas in America for living. Also, UMinn is considered as one of the Public Ivies so I like the idea of getting top notch education at public college price.

However, I still have one concern. Twin Cities isn't that diverse with small black population compared to the national average. How is Twin Cities for African Americans? How would I fit in if I ever want to stay there permanently?

Although I am black, I am not the ghetto-looking one wearing earrings and pants exposing part of my boxer. I happen to be preppy and many has misunderstood me as uppity to my own race. It happens here but I don't know how Minnesota blacks behave.

[golfgal]

You will have no problems what so ever fitting in at the U of MN or in the Twin Cities area.

[NewOrleanianLA1]

Originally Posted by golfgal

You will have no problems what so ever fitting in at the U of MN or in the Twin Cities area.

I'm happy to hear that! Are the people in Minnesota easy to make friends though? I heard about Minnesota Nice but I don't know what it is.

I happen to be very friendly and forwarding/outgoing. I wave at people and opening the doors for ladies. Talking about weather, religion, and politics happen to be normal conversation when meeting new people as a way of getting to know them better like we do in "The Big Easy". If a person doesn't want to talk about it, I would stop because I don't push my views on people anyway. Is that too much personal for Minnesotans or not? If yes, how can I be more like a Minnesotan?

[iNviNciBL3]

Originally Posted by NewOrleanianLA1

I happen to be very friendly and forwarding/outgoing. I wave at people and opening the doors for ladies. Talking about weather, religion, and politics happen to be normal conversation when meeting new people as a way of getting to know them better like we do in "The Big Easy". If a person doesn't want to talk about it, I would stop because I don't push my views on people anyway. Is that too much personal for Minnesotans or not? If yes, how can I be more like a Minnesotan?

African Americans are treated very well here, Minneapolis and the Twin Cities may be majority white but we still are pretty diverse. It's not like you are going to be out numbered... we have a very large population of African Americans, especially in Minneapolis where they have the largest Somali-American community.

I bet you will make many friends with your friendly, outgoing personality. The students on the U of M campus are very social and are down to meet new people.

[queenswake]

I'd also add that if you enjoy the music and arts scene down there, you will find a similar vibe up in Minneapolis. It's not the same thing, but the arts make up a HUGE part of life in the Twin Cities. It's everywhere. And like another poster said, even though whites are the majority, it is a huge civic-minded, well educated, well traveled population that is very accepting of all sorts of people.

Like most northern cities, there isn't a huge upper or middle class black population, however. So based on what you have said about yourself, you may very well find that most of your social circle will be made up of whites or Asians.

[petitemaman]

Originally Posted by NewOrleanianLA1

I'm happy to hear that! Are the people in Minnesota easy to make friends though? I heard about Minnesota Nice but I don't know what it is.

To answer your question...not really But college is a different beast. You are thrown into so many social activities, whether it be your basketball team, study groups for each class, extracurriculars, etc. You would have to actively try in order to NOT make friends. You'll be fine no matter where you go. But this is a nice city, I will say! Congrats on your scholarship.

[southernsmoke]

Originally Posted by NewOrleanianLA1

I have several basketball scholarships I am trying to narrow down for Fall 2012 and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers happen to be one of my choices.

One thing about Twin Cities that appeals to me is its location by the Mississippi River just like my hometown of New Orleans plus its reputation as being one of the most lively metro areas in America for living. Also, UMinn is considered as one of the Public Ivies so I like the idea of getting top notch education at public college price.

However, I still have one concern. Twin Cities isn't that diverse with small black population compared to the national average. How is Twin Cities for African Americans? How would I fit in if I ever want to stay there permanently?

Although I am black, I am not the ghetto-looking one wearing earrings and pants exposing part of my boxer. I happen to be preppy and many has misunderstood me as uppity to my own race. It happens here but I don't know how Minnesota blacks behave.

I feel like this is a flame--for a number of reasons, not least of which is the mention of "public college price" when OP has supposedly been offered a basketball scholarship.

But if OP is serious...

Originally Posted by BobMarley_1LOVE

African Americans are treated very well here, Minneapolis and the Twin Cities may be majority white but we still are pretty diverse. It's not like you are going to be out numbered... we have a very large population of African Americans, especially in Minneapolis where they have the largest Somali-American community.

LOL. Minnesotans are funny when they don't realize how vanilla Minnesota is. Minneapolis is 17% black (70% white); NOLA is 60% black.

[iNviNciBL3]

Originally Posted by southernsmoke

LOL. Minnesotans are funny when they don't realize how vanilla Minnesota is. Minneapolis is 17% black (70% white); NOLA is 60% black.

"Minneapolis and the Twin Cities may be majority white..."
What im saying is that there is a pretty sizable african american community here, it may not be big but they are here and its not rare to see a black person around here (which a lot of outsiders make it seem)
14% in St Paul (66% white)
26% in Brooklyn Center (50% white)
24% in Brooklyn Park (52% white)

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by NewOrleanianLA1

I have several basketball scholarships I am trying to narrow down for Fall 2012 and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers happen to be one of my choices.

One thing about Twin Cities that appeals to me is its location by the Mississippi River just like my hometown of New Orleans plus its reputation as being one of the most lively metro areas in America for living. Also, UMinn is considered as one of the Public Ivies so I like the idea of getting top notch education at public college price.

If you do end up in the Twin Cities, you should check out Itasca State Park where the Mississippi is born. It's so cool to walk across it at that point, especially knowing now large it gets even by the time it gets down to Minneapolis.

FWIW, I think you'll be fine, but as a white person I know I don't really have a feel for what it's like to be a member of a minority in the Twin Cities. I think the area is pretty accepting of anyone, tho.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by southernsmoke

LOL. Minnesotans are funny when they don't realize how vanilla Minnesota is. Minneapolis is 17% black (70% white); NOLA is 60% black.

Well, those percentages are close to the national average (12.6% black, 72.4% white), so perhaps Minneapolis is simply more representative of the US as a whole than NOLA.

I live in Atlanta now. It's a very different mix down here, but I wouldn't classify the Twin Cities as vanilla. Tokyo might be, but not Minneapolis.