Athens Georgia:How are Race Relations In Athens? (White: appointed, crime)

[Peachstate01]

I'm from Columbia SC,and looking to relocate to the Athens area in the near future.Racism here is wide spread and very much open here,and there are very few interracial couples here.This is the main reason I'm leaving this city.
From all my searches of Athens,I am very impressed with what I have learned about this town,but would like to know,how race relations are there among blacks and whites.Appreciate an honest and open view from anyone who has lived there long enough to give an accurate opinion on this issue.

[Ollie1946]

You got a bunch of replies I see.

First, Athens is much like anywhere else; you have the good, bad and ugly. Athens is a progressive city where pretty much anything goes and that due to the university town atmosphere.

Our school system is a mess and of course it is predominantly black. High School dropout rates are around 50%. There is nothing here for unemployed youth so we have a fair amount of crime. We have over 5 public housing concentrations which are crime producing it seems. We also have homeless who are mostly white. Don't know why they don't get into the public housing complexes.

However, I don't feel unsafe during the day time and I don't venture out at night much. Most of our crime is property crime and druggies vs. druggies.

Now, race. It is my fundamental belief that most black people don't like (some hate) white people. Vice versa too. They have a historical basis for it. However, that does not keep mixed race couples from living here safely and unbothered. Our police chief is black, our sheriff is black and our mayor is a white female. All seem competent. Our police force has never been accused of abusing their authority. We also have a sizeable population of hispanics, that is, Mexicans. How many is a guess. That group has the most difficulty with blacks. Much of our crime seems to come from the Latino community. Lot of frustration for them in this awful economy.

The big problem here is no economic opportunity even for the well educated. There is no telling how many people we have around here with ph.ds and masters degrees. Bachelors degrees are zip.

You won't find a lot of integration with churches. No surprise there. Like other places, there are prosperous blacks people. Our local federal judge is black and has a great reputation as he had when in Superior Court.

If you are expecting a kumbaya atmosphere, you will be disappointed. Things are pretty much separated based on economics, not so much race. But, I do think underlying daily life there are racial issues; they just don't surface. There is no dialogue. UGA has an aggressive affirmative action program for admissions. People find that difficult to swallow. White people that is.

My 2 cents.

[Peachstate01]

Originally Posted by Ollie1946

You got a bunch of replies I see.

First, Athens is much like anywhere else; you have the good, bad and ugly. Athens is a progressive city where pretty much anything goes and that due to the university town atmosphere.

Our school system is a mess and of course it is predominantly black. High School dropout rates are around 50%. There is nothing here for unemployed youth so we have a fair amount of crime. We have over 5 public housing concentrations which are crime producing it seems. We also have homeless who are mostly white. Don't know why they don't get into the public housing complexes.

However, I don't feel unsafe during the day time and I don't venture out at night much. Most of our crime is property crime and druggies vs. druggies.

Now, race. It is my fundamental belief that most black people don't like (some hate) white people. Vice versa too. They have a historical basis for it. However, that does not keep mixed race couples from living here safely and unbothered. Our police chief is black, our sheriff is black and our mayor is a white female. All seem competent. Our police force has never been accused of abusing their authority. We also have a sizeable population of hispanics, that is, Mexicans. How many is a guess. That group has the most difficulty with blacks. Much of our crime seems to come from the Latino community. Lot of frustration for them in this awful economy.

The big problem here is no economic opportunity even for the well educated. There is no telling how many people we have around here with ph.ds and masters degrees. Bachelors degrees are zip.

You won't find a lot of integration with churches. No surprise there. Like other places, there are prosperous blacks people. Our local federal judge is black and has a great reputation as he had when in Superior Court.

If you are expecting a kumbaya atmosphere, you will be disappointed. Things are pretty much separated based on economics, not so much race. But, I do think underlying daily life there are racial issues; they just don't surface. There is no dialogue. UGA has an aggressive affirmative action program for admissions. People find that difficult to swallow. White people that is.

My 2 cents.

Ollie:Thanks man/mam.Since posting this,I have been here as of 11/3,just about 5 days.I can truly say,I like the small town feel the town has,and many I have met just in passing really did seem quite friendly.
As far as my question is concerned,thus far I don't see race relations being a problem here and after what I have been through in my almost 3 years in Columbia SC,It is truly such a welcome relief to see more harmony among the black and whites here.
Again,Ollie,I appreciate all your imput,now I just want to start learning my way around here and get to know the people better.

[Ollie1946]

Welcome then. Hope it will be the place you have been looking for.

[Bove125]

Any Athens experience updates peachstate01?
(I know this thread is super old and good chance this person will not reply but maybe someone else can share)