Criteria to be considered "Black Mecca" (best, America, Atlanta)
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I have been hearing a lot of people throw around the term “New black mecca”referring to cities that are in their opinion the new black meccas. People have been throwing around this term a little too much these days. A city can’t belabeled the new black mecca just because black people are moving to said cities. Certain standards and criteria’s must be met in order to claim thetitle. There has to be a standard just like there is a standard that must be met to join the military. Having lived in true black mecca cities such as Atlanta and DC (NYC) there are certain things and a certain lifestyle that these cities have that make them true black meccas from history, having multiple nightlife options with well dressed AA, eventsthat bring large amounts of blacks in the city all the time, dozens of AA neighborhoods, plenty of black businesses, etc. This thread is to set astandard on what a city should have at a minimum to even be mentioned as a black mecca. A city that is a good city for blacks is totally different than saying said city is a new black mecca. Some people don't know any better so this is to inform those people what things a true black mecca city should have
Nightlife: Must have a diverse nightlife for all blacks. All blacks to include professionals, neo soul/spoken word crowd, etc. Does the averageprofessional black person have at least 10 options per night on the weekend for places to go to that aren’t ratchet? In most cities it is easy to find ghetto spots but what about places with well dress professionals? Nightlife should consist of live music, mega clubs, lounges, dive bars, happy hours, networking events, etc. Are there at least two places that are packed on Monday and Tuesday night?
Middle Class/Upper Middle Class neighborhoods: Your city musthave at least 20 middle class majority AA subdivisions. For this topic amajority is at least 80% instead of 51%
Radio stations: Must have at least four radio stations that play either R&B, Hip Hop/Old School music
Black Events: City must have at least five huge homegrown events that bring at least 30,000 people to the city annually. Homecoming and national music tours do not count since they are unique to any city.
HBCU: Must have at least one well known historical black college within the metro area
History: What significant national history does your city have regarding African Americans?
Trends: What trends have your city created? Not local trends but national trends
Black businesses: Your city must have plenty of black businesses. Not just talking about hair salons and wing stands.
Mayor: Said city must have had at least 3 AA mayors in the past 30 years.
Unemployment Rate: Since most cities are out of the recession I decided not to include this
Atl, NYC and DC have set the standard on the different criteria's listed above for the most part. When people visit these cities they can except to have these standardslisted above in above average quantities. With that being said a city might not have everything on this list but overall they are still true black meccas.
Why is this list needed? A standard has to be set. I cant say for example Minot, ND is the new Hispanic mecca if they have no Hispanic radio stations, Hispanic events, etc. I can say it is but I would lose credibility.
I don't see the point. People use this term to describe Atlanta and DC already and your "requirements" pretty much make sure that those are the only two places that qualify. I mean, come on, 20 middle-class black neighborhoods? 4 hiphop radio stations? WTH.
What's the point? Black people should be able to go anywhere and be successful - any city. Whether that is really true or not, why label a city something that will alienate those that aren't a part of that group? We know they are black meccas, or whatever that really means - I think it is a silly term, so why boast it?
I don't see the point. People use this term to describe Atlanta and DC already and your "requirements" pretty much make sure that those are the only two places that qualify. I mean, come on, 20 middle-class black neighborhoods? 4 hiphop radio stations? WTH.
What's the point? Black people should be able to go anywhere and be successful - any city. Whether that is really true or not, why label a city something that will alienate those that aren't a part of that group? We know they are black meccas, or whatever that really means - I think it is a silly term, so why boast it?
You think that's true for other cities known to attract a particular group of people above all others? Does San Francisco alienate straight people? Does Miami alienate non-Hispanics? Does Boston alienate people without a college degree?
I think the term has its place, but as time goes on, it doesn't have quite as much importance as it used to.
You think that's true for other cities known to attract a particular group of people above all others? Does San Francisco alienate straight people? Does Miami alienate non-Hispanics? Does Boston alienate people without a college degree?
I think the term has its place, but as time goes on, it doesn't have quite as much importance as it used to.
I don't think of San Francisco as the gay-mecca. When I was there I enjoyed watching the 49ers play at Candlestick - the thought of me being in a city dominated by gays (which it isn't) never crossed my mind. Same with Miami. I saw a lot of Hispanic people, but that term, Hispanic mecca didn't cross my mind. What you said of Boston, seems like you are reaching. I'm used to being a minority so it doesn't matter to me if people label something or not, I just think it is dumb.
We know ATL and DC are the Best place for Black people EVER!
Different cities have different qualities. I would say LA and NYC is the best place for A List celebrities. El Paso or IE is the best place for Mexicans. Seattle, Boston and Portland are the best places for white people. Every city has different characteristics that attracts certain people
Outside of DC and Atlanta, there may be the only about 5-10 areas that come close to fitting all of the criteria.
That's why I made this thread. You have black meccas and places that are good for blacks. Two totally different things. Example....Is Atlanta the Korean or Hispanic mecca? No. Is Atlanta a good place for Koreans and Hispanics? Yes. There is a big difference.
I don't think of San Francisco as the gay-mecca. When I was there I enjoyed watching the 49ers play at Candlestick - the thought of me being in a city dominated by gays (which it isn't) never crossed my mind. Same with Miami. I saw a lot of Hispanic people, but that term, Hispanic mecca didn't cross my mind. What you said of Boston, seems like you are reaching. I'm used to being a minority so it doesn't matter to me if people label something or not, I just think it is dumb.
That exact terminology might not be employed with respect to those cities and the groups they tend to attract, but similar terminology exists and you just don't see people getting agitated about it like they do with Atlanta and Black folks. There's a reason for that but I digress.
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