(Note: I obtained the story from the Redding News Review web site, which had a link from The Huffington Post. Since I have a ban on syndicating HuffPo content on my own blogs the original Brookings Institution report has been posted instead of the HuffPo article which made note of the comparison between Atlanta and Chicago)
Metro Areas With The Largest Population Of Blacks
- New York
- Atlanta
- Chicago
It would be grand if an objective journalist were to do some deep analysis as to why an increasing number of Black Americans are returning to the South, departing the "enlightened North" and the more favorable social and political policies - at least on paper.
Ironically - for some the influx of Black and Hispanic transplants into the South trigger some to make the prediction that they all will become "blue states" in the next 20 years. They see this as a positive. Proof that these states have "changed". We don't hear much inspection of the Northern states that many of these people are coming from and why, despite the "Mission Accomplished" signs plastered throughout they saw the need to depart from "paradise". We are more likely to hear stories about "Enlightened Northerners moving south to amplify the consciousness of the South, moving them out of the ditch that they are stuck in".
(Not - I am officially a "Northern Transplant". My parents were born in the South, moved North for employment - had ME. I have lived in the South for more than 20 years now. Never would move back to the North. Not we me able to look out side right now and see my fruit trees, 2 rabbits and 3 deer in my back yard.).
1 comments:
CF,
The south is where it's at from a quality of life standpoint. Unfortunately, you'll find that many of the northern problems will accompany the migration.
I frequently contemplate moving south when I get closer to retirement, but I'm not inclined to live in a major city and deal with all the expense and hassle. I'd probably live in striking distance of one where I could be in the mix by choice only, but mostly out of it on a regular basis. That's somewhat similar to my situation now. I'm within an hour of NYC and Philly and can get to DC and nothern VA within 3, but that's close enough for me.
There's absolutely no question that the south will get bluer if migratory patterns hold. We saw that in VA during the last election. The real question is whether we as black folks might be able to capitalize on such a trend either politically or economically. Of course, that would require a proactive plan--
Post a Comment