Would you move to predominantly white area as a black woman

[AmyJahabee]

Hi would you move to predominate white neighborhood when you are black with two black kids as a single mum? Kids are school age. I’m in Derby and looking to move to Allestree, Darley Abbey area but I’m aware is mainly white people live there. Anyone with any experience being an ethnic minority and living in a predominantly white area? Would you recommend I move to a more diverse area? Anyone experienced any racism in a similar situation?

It's not just about experiencing racism though @whatnow123 it's about seeing yourself reflected good and bad. When I was going through racism at work I was still able to see people that looked like me when I got home.

This thread is in the black mumsnetters section for a reason.

I know 2 black families in Littleover, maybe a bit more diverse.

No such thing as a black area and a white area

Agreed. It's just a massive coincidence that some areas have more mosques and carribean shops than others.

Just as is is a massive coincidence that there is likely to high level of poverty in those areas. 🤔

Shut the door on your way out.

I am a black African man raising two primary school black daughters in a small Midlands town of 90 000 people of which 99% are white people. Racial make up of an area shouldn't be a significant factor ahead of other key mitigation aspects such as your parenting styles, good schools, low crime area, decent public services etc. After all, Black and Carribean people are only approximately 4.2% of the UK population. Yes, I have first hand experience of covert and overt racism because I came to UK aged 20 years. Having lived in north east none diverse inner cities for 9 years and 6 years in west midlands diverse inner cities. I moved to a none diverse west midlands area because I was fed up with heavily policed inner city areas, big state school classes maxed 30 kids per class, high crime (public disorder, drug dealing etc), dental and GP ghost areas etc. Inner city life as stats shows is detrimental to young black boys. Despite the brexit fueled anti foreigner or depravation induced othering the majority of ordinary white british people are decent hardworking people. Its the loud minority that are overt with their racism.

So are you relatively happy where you are now based?@ContinouslyLearning

Honestly, yes. It's a very quiet suburb area all my neighbours are white and very nice people. Moved house two years ago and its turned out to be a good decision. Quality of life is better e.g. only seen one police patrol in the area in 2 years, plenty of walking and jogging spaces, kids can ride their bicycles safely etc. Neighbours pretty much look out for each other e.g. exchange house keys, house watch when people are on holidays, take out and take back in each others bins, give each other xmas cards, Easter gifts for the kids etc. Mindset and being open minded is very important because reality black Africans and Carribeans are only 4.2% in the UK. The only negative is the driveway theft of new premium cars to order by organised eastern European gangs. This is a region wide West Midlands issue because surburbs is where high income people tend to live.

The issue is not adults, it is being the only black kids in school, especially secondary school.

My children were in this position, it leaves a lasting legacy. "The only other black faces there were my siblings"

It's a difficult one, we did it for work opportunities, the good schools were a bonus.

However all of my children struggled with secondary school to some extent and all needed counselling and support.

Children can be cruel towards racial differences. Regardless of how their parents behave or have brought their children up.

I understand that having been a young adult myself living in none diverse North East of England.

My girls attend a catholic primary school where there are only about 8 black kids in the whole school. So as a parent and father it is my role to infuse resilience into their mindset and through talking and engaging on issues they bring up in the school. Whenever issues arise which has been rare, I make sure teachers and head teachers understand my expectations without a doubt. Ethinicty aside, children will always be cruel for any notable differences. I did my schooling overseas in African country and cruelty was there in the mixed primary school and worse in a testosterone fueled boys only high school I attended.

Glad you hear that you, and your family have settled in well, and that things are working out well for you😊@ContinouslyLearning .

I hope you join them sometime!
You'll note that majority of the negative experiences come from the childhood of posters. It's safe to say things may not be perfect but certainly not as bad.

My best friends husband is Nigerian and I’ve been with them a few times now to their church, it’s beautiful and I would recommend anyone who wants to go to just do it. I was made to feel so welcome x

Thanks so much for posting this. I'm a bit concerned that the general tone of BlackMumsnet is that black families shouldn't move to predominantly white areas. Only 4% are Black. Race shouldn't be the primary factor in determining where we live and experiences of 20 yrs ago shouldn't solely determine the options one considers for their child's future.

Like with all countries certain parts are less built up, greener, more beautiful, less polluted, populated by university educated professionals and others are more densely populated, including schools and residents, have cheaper accommodation, lots of shops including vaping stores, take away shops, restaurants, grocery shops serving diverse group of ethnicities etc.
Fulham a sizeable number of French nationals, Hammersmith and Chelsea have a huge Russian community. In the Home Counties there're communities of several countries and races too, including many Nigerians in Hertfordshire and several now fleeing Kent saying it's getting congested!

It shouldn't be a factor but for some people it is.

It's hilarious that other people's lived experience is classed as a "tone" because one person who is neither a single mother or in fact a woman and wasn't a child here doesn't have a problem with it.