African Americans Are Spread Out All Over Maricopa County - Just Accept It!

If you've visited Websites such as City-Data.com, wikipedia.org or if you've taken the opportunity to read the The State of Black Arizona Report created by the Greater Phoenix Urban League and Arizona State University, you'll learn that the black population in Maricopa County ranges between 3 percent to 4 percent and that the total population in Maricopa County is approximately 3.7 million people.

Based on those figures, we can estimate that we have almost 150,000 African Americans in the cities and towns (such as Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Goodyear, Surprise, Maricopa, etc.) inside Maricopa County.

As one of the largest counties in the United States (population and size), it becomes a little easier to understand how the black community here can be so fractured. We have a lot of space here and few people! We live all over this county!

So for all of those people who are complaining about how the Valley of the Sun doesn't have any BLACK neighborhoods or lacks BLACK culture, I ask you now, is it a little easier to understand why?

I'm one of the rare African American natives in the Phoenix area. Most of our population consists of people who move here from other areas. And I've noticed that many black people move here for a few years, realize they don't like it here because of the small black population and the perceived lack of black culture, and then they move out! Do I blame them? I don't really know, but you must realize that this makes it extremely difficult for the black community to establish any kind of stability and strength.

I have to admit that I get a little annoyed when people complain about the small African American population here and the fact that we haven't established a "BLACK" neighborhood. What is this, the 1960s?

In order to set up a black neighborhood - in South Phoenix for instance - we'd have to ask all African Americans who live in Scottsdale, Tolleson, Peoria, Surprise, Queen Creek, Mesa, Tempe and other communities to sell their homes and set up shop on the south side. I live in South Phoenix, but if I worked in north Scottsdale, Surprise or Buckeye, I'd be mad as hell about making that looong commute every morning just to satisfy a few people who want a "BLACK" neighborhood!

Black people in Maricopa County should have the freedom to live where and how they want to live. If you are an African American in Maricopa County, you have the opportunity to explore many different cultures and forms of entertainment. How do we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream by restricting ourselves to ONE neighborhood, ONE group of people and ONE way of life? In order to make America a better, more racially tolerant place, we must have a presence in ALL cities and towns, not only in Maricopa County, but across the nation!

Black people, let's please quit the bloodclot cryin' about having CULTURE SHOCK when you move to Phoenix.

Of course, I still want African Americans in Maricopa County to be unified. When we see each other on the streets, in corporate offices and other places, I want us to acknowledge each other and make some type of emotional connection! And we must consistently host events that allow us to celebrate our history, our talents and our future.

However, I think that we need to accept the fact that the Maricopa County's culture will never be like Detroit's, Atlanta's, Chicago's or Charlotte's! Black people will never be the majority in Maricopa County. Instead, we must EMBRACE the fact that Maricopa County is a direct reflection of America - A MELTING POT!

And in the long run, we will understand that we and our future generations will be better off for the diversity, opportunities and experiences here! Let's start to look at the glass as half-full, not half-empty!

PhxSoul.com Readers: How do you feel about this blog? If you agree or disagree with my above statements, I invite you to share your Thoughts and Comments! I look forward to your feedback!

Comments

[DAP]

PHX Soul, I love your audience. I told you that people wanted to voice. I often wait for content to see if people really understand themselves. Community is where you hang your hat. I'm from NYC by way of Harlem and we don't speak to each other on a norm. Too damn many hellos in just one building. I'd never get to the train or bus stop on time. So what makes you think people are going to immediately change their habits, just because they move from the hood?

I have no trouble finding my culture and communnity no matter where I am. Either you can stay in your test tube(baby)or you can get out the suitcase when you arrive and stay a while. I arrived a long time ago after living years in another country. I am quite pleased to live in America and find us anywhere I can.

Gripe and leave your comments as an exit interview or shut up and bring the culture to me where ever I am. For now, I'm living out loud right here in AZ. Let's make this city into a metropolis like no other. Let it be the best because of us instead because of the lack of us.

peace

[Leslie Harris]

I moved to Phoenix from New Orleans 3 years ago.The reason why I chose to move to Phoenix, because my cousins who already in Phoenix and Tucson told that Phoenix was a growing progressive town. I have to say that once I got here. I was in total culture shock. In the first 6 months of living here I thought I was going to hurt the Mexicans for telling me I need to speak spanish. In addition to no black culture whatsoever. The black people who are native here are weird and no9t friendly at all. Soon as I have enough money, I am going back to the south, where I belong and find a black hairdresser who knows what they are doing.

[Amber Johnson]

A couple of things. First, no it is not the 1960's but that does not stop other ethnicity from having their communities (i.e. China Town, Greek Town, Little Italy). There is nothing wrong with a person desiring to have a place where they are surrounded by persons who affirm their culture and heritage after a long day at work or class, etc. Secondly, are you qualified to say that "Maricopa county will never be majority black"? I don't think any of us can see into the future. Lastly, it's called culture shock, it only normal for people to express (verbally) the appearance/experience of a lack culture.

[Sheila El-Hilaly]

Hi,
My name is Sheila.I've been here for three years from New Jersey. and i will never go back there to live. i love the weather, i went from Tempe to Avondale to Litchfield Park in this time frame. and there are blacks around, and if you nee to see a whole lot of black people ,frequent the clubs, eateries, theaters and shows,shops where you know we will be and then smile. speak (met my friend Donna from chi town that way and we told each other we knew no one and made a "date" to go see a movie,and have been friends since)NETWORK

[PhxSoul]

Hey Corey, the ironic thing about your comment is that I meet people in the Phoenix area all the time who say to me, "Oh wow, you're a native? That's very rare here!"

You know why they say that? Because it's true!

Arizona is an extremely transient state - meaning thousands of people move here from other places, live here for a few years, and then they leave. I can't tell you how many people I've met within the last 10 years who came here and left quickly. They don't try to make a difference. They just immediately decide that they don't like it here, complain all the time and eventually hightail it out of here.

I say that Arizona's large transient population makes it harder for newcomers to enjoy life here. There are just too many people who don't feel any loyalty to this state. Moreover, they don't have a vested interest in being friendly to their neighbors because they don't consider Arizona as home. They just want to do their time here quietly and leave quietly. I've lived here for 36 years and I've seen this scenario play out time and time again.

Fortunately, I choose to surround myself with those people (natives and non-natives) who host social gatherings and help African Americans unite and contribute to our community. We are here! I publish articles all the time about these individuals, groups and events.

There are positive African Americans in the Phoenix area, you just have to do more work to find them.

[Corey]

Until the natives here change, there will continue to be a high turn over. It is painfully aware that there is a lack of melanin, and until we learn to treat each other better, who would want to live here. Someone who doesnt feel welcome in your home wont come back, and they'll likely tell everyone what they experienced, so yeah, the crying about the lack of Blacks in AZ will resound. And as far as people moving here so that their children can experience more diversity, help me to understand what really is here thats nowhere else, aside from a lack of African Americans. It sounds to me like you think you're children will be better of if they arent influenced by the people who look like them.

[Mr. Michael L Burke II]

I would like to point out somethings, I hardly ever read forums or boards, but this is a new site for me, brought by the rest of the broad for the Miss Black Az Scholarship Pageant.

When you really think about what is going on in the valley and what typically happens with events, lets look at the facts.

If you weren't on PHXSOUL site for and event, not on the radio, and knew little about marketing and advertising with low budgets,

You would fall into the typical az group, board, or organization...

[It's hard to coop with, but its true.]

Now lets take the odds or new groups vs old groups
[Since this is a high traffic state, where people move to from daily.]

I think the last time I check on it, 10k plus people a month move to and from phx ever month.

That's high for most places,

Now there are twenty new groups, for ever 7 old. That is just small needs, funding events, and non profits.

If they all had one event every 3 weeks, or 3 months and they were ticketed, if it were only averaged out to be five events a month at 15dollars.

Thats 75 dollars a month to budget, not to mention the time, support and if they are mixers printer and busiess materials.

That's how I think, but thats not how most people think.

========================================

Most people feel, and as silly as this is,

-"Manne another event to get my money?"-

So these events by the little groups get over looked, as well as the bigger ones loose a bit of support from the AZ Community.

Where as, if you look at what drives the groups and supporting organizations in the valleley, they mostly all function on donated funds.

With the lack of support, most people don't get what they need fall short, and have to as a result hold more funding events.

So case and point we are a product of our invironment.

There is 7 million people in az and only 300k plus African Americans in the valley of the sun.

That is why there is only 3-5% of poeple to be your support group.

The reason most if not all people start a group is to have some type of odds againts the odds of failure. A support group for their ideas needs, and etc.

But the fact that these groups in the valley never "WANT" to work together, other than with friends, is their single worst problem. When introduced to a solution they deny it. Hense they only get as far as they can throw themselves..

That is my point anyway...

Come by and check out one of the only national events in AZ

WWW.MISSBLACKARIZONA.COM

www.myspace.com/missblackarizonapageant

[Hotlanta]

I totally agree Jo. I currently reside in Atlanta, and yes, it's very saturated here. I have lived in Atlanta since 1999 and things have changed dramatically. I'm originally from Cleveland, OH. I have a 20 yr old daughter and a 11 yr old son. My daughter complains daily that Atlanta is too "black" for her and my son complains about all the men that look like him are gay. We are definately thinking of moving to Phoenix. We have nothing against homosexuality, but at least we will get to see more family unity. Atlanta has become the city for African Americans to come out as they say and I say, "do you and I'm gonna do me." Growing up in Cleveland, we are used to diversity. Maybe, if enough of us were to come to Phoenix and make a difference instead of complaining, then things may eventually change for the better. I'm coming there to start a couple of businesses for all to come, but of course I would love for my sistahs & brothahs to support. I look forward to moving there just like Jo. I want to make a difference. I consider myself a leader and not a follower. You have your pros and cons in every city. It's up to you what you can deal with and diversity is not a problem with me or my kids.

[CD]

I agree with most of the commemts previously posted. Being from the South and mvoing from Atlanta was a culture shock as well. I believe we all felt that no matter the city in which you live you will always have a little taste of home. What I have found is that all of us who have relocated here from other places are only trying to connect to the local black culture. I would have thought that since everything and everyone is spead out as the author stated, "black phoenix" would have their "own" business/ entertainment ares centrally located in Phoenix. In essence our own gathering spot to connect with our own people, wheather local or implants. I myself have a 7yr old son in whom I wanted to experience a diversified up-bringing and he really enjoys being here. It is harder for my wife and I because we are so far away from our previous cultural experiences. "Can anyone say hello around here or acknowledge your pressence?" Since we are a small precent of the population, I just anticipated that the black people(particularly locals) here would have a tighter sence of community. Its like attending a predominately white university and knowing there is a sub-culture within mainstream culture. So you know who all the black people are because you are constantly surrounded by people who don't look like. Since I attended an HBCU, and many of my friends attended predominately white universities, that was the reality in which they lived so they embraced one another and created their own community. It is what we do in everyday life. With that thought in mind, it is always good to be amongst your own people sometime.

[PhxSoul]

Do really believe that the "black native Phoenicians" are the main problem? There aren't that many black natives in Phoenix. I admit that there are some native blacks who are making people like me look bad.

However, the majority of African Americans in the Valley have moved from other locations. I can't tell you how many times I've heard a person gasp when I tell them I'm a native of Phoenix.

"Oh my! You're a native? Wow ... that's rare!"

As many of the commenters have said, I think blacks are treating each other poorly everywhere.

I went to a wedding last weekend in Durham, North Carolina. At least 80 percent of the people I saw were black. I almost went into culture shock for a minute! But what was really odd is that when I said HELLO to the black people in Durham, they looked at me like I was crazy! I only remember a few people who said HELLO to me.

[Notta]

I have lived in Phoenix for almost 3 months now, and although the article makes some valid points, I agree with a previous commenter that as a native Phoenician, the author really doesn't get it. It seems like black native Phoenicians are a different breed. It's definitely disappointing to see the way black folks treat each other here. I think its just shameful to walk past another black person and not speak. Hell, I'm so happy when I do see other black folks here that I'm falling over myself to speak them! I agree that this place is good for opportunity, but I also agree that its not somewhere I want to stay long-term.

[Idris]

Jo, be careful for what you ask for.......

[stacey]

I think it just comes down to your own choice.I've researched the phx area as well as scottsdale and thought several time that I should move out here. I reside currently in nashville, tn where the african american pop is apprx 25%. However the city still lacks diversity and for some reason we do not support a lot of functions that are geared toward supporting our communities. So, for me I am not looking to move to an area that still lacks diversity to another area where there is little or no diversity in that area. Being single I'm still wanting to move somewhere a little more intergrated and diverse. I enjoyed the article.

[Skyler]

I moved to Phoenix from Augusta, GA about two years ago, and yes, I had serious culture shock. While you had some good points in your article, I think it's also important to keep in mind, that because you are a native here, you can sympathize, but you can't identify. Phoenix is a wonderful place for opportunity, and I jumped in to take advantage. I'm glad I did, but I've come to realize, that this place is just not the place I want to stay long term. The only reason I'm still here, is to finish up my Doctoral education. Phoenix, to me is a different world, and being single and moving here by myself only complicates the situation even more for me. Everyone is just not built for this place, and I'm one of those people. I'm been blessed to meet some wonderful, loving people here, and had some great experiences, but I know I do not belong here. So the next time someone complains about the lack of culture, try (I know it may be hard) to understand why. And I agree with the earlier comment, "Thank God for the internet"!

[Kareema]

When I first moved to Phoenix I moved to Ahwautukee. What a lush and beautiful community. I also lived in Chandler. Both places were lovely, but my poor children seemed so lonely and isolated. We made attempts to blend in with our neighbors who were overwhelmingly white. I don't have issues with other races it just wasn't the same. I made the decision to move into a newer sub division on the south side because I just hated feeling so isolated from other black people. This may not work for everyone because the south side is what it is. Some nights I hear gunshots over in the older areas. But the difference for my children is great. My daughters are learning how to jump double dutch with all the other little black girls in the neighborhood. Anyone reading this who is from Chi, or atlanta, or any other community where you grew up surrounded by other black people understand what I am saying. I have been able to get around the poor school district with charter schools and a magnet program offered by the Kyrene school district which provides transportation. Kyrene schools are some of the best elementary schools in the state. My neighbors are all great it almost feels like I am back at home.If you live in some of the outlying areas you will have to travel to find things. The Deltas have a great program for girls and I believe you can contact 100 Black Men for boys activities. Good luck to anyone moving to the Phoenix area. You can make a life here but it takes time and you have to stay in touch with whats happening. All I can say is thank God for the internet.

[Dee]

I am so happy to be enlightened by this article. As a native of NYC, my husband and I moved our girls here for a slower pace in life. We wanted to see our children grow. As a consequence I sometimes ask what am I doing here? Are my girls missing out on culture? With that said I find the state of black people sad out here. People are not friendly toward each other just as in other places but as you pointed out we are so sparsely spread that you feel the impact even more. I just wish people made the effort to reach out to others. I am always searching for things to take my girls to and to eplore all that is here.

Thank you for writing this article, I now know that I'm not alone. Tryin to stick it out!

Why do you use the phrase blood clot cryin? Reminds me of home.

Jo where are you moving to?

[keith]

Great Article.

I agree that when we see another American who is black, exercise some courtesy and speak.

Moreso if it is the sisters. Never hurts to show some class and honor.

Later or at His Supper
Keith

[Jo]

Bravo! I am in the process of moving to Phoenix FROM Atlanta and I'll tell you why. I have four children and all are grown except one....the last one that I want to have a more diverse upbringing and experience a wider range of exposure to other cultures as well as the strong black cultural beliefs I have instilled within them all. Atlanta has become very saturated in all ways. If you are starting a business, it's already been done here....WHATEVER it may be! Also, the schools, crime and gang activity is outrageous and frankly, I am just fed up. Being born in Chicago, I want a more "settled" pace, however, we still like to enjoy ourselves, go out to eat, and take part in outdoor activities and events. I have researched Phoenix and I know that there are progressive, cultured, African Americans there but more spread out than in Atlanta or Chicago. This will just make it a little more interesting to "find each other"! I look forward to our arrival in May!