Aberdeen/Hoquiam - people of color??? (public schools, living, assess)

[gonewalkabout]

We are cosidering a move to high ground in (probably) Aberdeen Wn've been there and are concerned about the sea of white faces. Here's the skinny. I'm 66 and have parkinsons. Even in sophisticated placesm people act as though I'm mentally disabled. My friend iis 54 and has severe rheumatoid arthritis. We are both scots-irish and cherokee, but spme africcan ancestors gave her dark skin to go with the nativie american bones.
So, would we encounter outright hostility, some welcoming prople, or just be ignored??? Best guesses, please

[bmsea]

It seems like a very white population out here, but there is some diversity with a lot of native americans (surrounded by the Quinault and Shoalwater Reservations), latinos, and asians (although not as diverse as the Puget Sound area).

I have never seen any outwardly racist behavior (I am mixed race). There was an incident on MySpace with a black student being harassed (Aberdeen High Students), which can be a red flag.

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by bmsea

It seems like a very white population out here, but there is some diversity with a lot of native americans (surrounded by the Quinault and Shoalwater Reservations), latinos, and asians (although not as diverse as the Puget Sound area).

I have never seen any outwardly racist behavior (I am mixed race). There was an incident on MySpace with a black student being harassed (Aberdeen High Students), which can be a red flag.

I agree. ^

I don't think you'd have anything to be concerned about.

Actually, the Aberdeen/Hoquiam area is more diverse than most think. If you look at even the 2000 census data for Aberdeen, whites are less than 90% ...about 85%. Personally, I consider a town with less than 90% white, "relatively" diverse because I've seen plenty of towns and cities above that figure.

[allforcats]

Gonewalkabout, I don't have an answer for your question, but I've GOT to say -- Scots-Irish and Cherokee, plus African -- the two of you must have the most beautiful faces on Earth!! Thank you for your post; you've given me a glorious picture to imagine, as well as two fascinating histories to imagine. :-) Thank you!

[AngelaE8654]

Originally Posted by bmsea

It seems like a very white population out here, but there is some diversity with a lot of native americans (surrounded by the Quinault and Shoalwater Reservations), latinos, and asians (although not as diverse as the Puget Sound area).

I have never seen any outwardly racist behavior (I am mixed race). There was an incident on MySpace with a black student being harassed (Aberdeen High Students), which can be a red flag.

I have been here since 1975 and I completely agree with this assessment. I didn't know about the MySpace thing, but people on the Internet often "act out" in ways they do not in real life. One of my closest high school friends was a "person of color" and she and her brothers never had any hassles here. Her family, which was a white German mother and a black father, was very much respected here.

Bmsea is right that there are quite a few Native Americans here. Their culture is well embraced here as well. There are increasing numbers of Hispanics here, too. Yes, there are a lot of white people here, but I don't believe the town is racist in any way, shape, or form.

[AngelaE8654]

Originally Posted by gonewalkabout

We are cosidering a move to high ground in (probably) Aberdeen Wn've been there and are concerned about the sea of white faces. Here's the skinny. I'm 66 and have parkinsons. Even in sophisticated placesm people act as though I'm mentally disabled. My friend iis 54 and has severe rheumatoid arthritis. We are both scots-irish and cherokee, but spme africcan ancestors gave her dark skin to go with the nativie american bones.
So, would we encounter outright hostility, some welcoming prople, or just be ignored??? Best guesses, please

Just a P.S. Unless you live in the Aberdeen Hills, you won't exactly be on "high ground". Aberdeen is about 20 feet above sea level; but there are some nice living areas in the hills.

[gonewalkabout]

Thank you, we feel better < big smile>

[emeraldmoon]

I was born and raised in Aberdeen, and my family is still there. As in other places, you run into people who dislike anyone who is different, but the majority aren't like that and will welcome you warmly. Enjoy the Harbor, it's a great place that I still miss very much...

[Fat Freddy]

In Aberdeen/Hoquiam, Hispanics or Indians are plentiful, but Black people are pretty rare. You might go for a month or two and never see one.

[SHIRLENE49]

Probably mostly ignored. I have seen very little discrimination against people of other races in our area. If its out there I have not heard of it or seen it myself. I have a grand daughter of mixed race and have not seen any discrimination. I use to volunteer at the public schools and we had several children of color there and I did not see any discrimination.