Questions about Biloxi

I'm thinking of taking a trip to Biloxi in the fall. However my wife is concerned about traveling to Mississippi as an interracial couple ( she's black I'm white). I keep telling her this isn't the 1950's but is she right and I'm wrong? Any insight would be appreciated. And is it an easy drive to New Orleans?

 

I haven't visited Biloxi personally, but in the Tunica area I have never noticed an interracial couple getting hassled before. And same goes for everywhere else I've been. But of course, it's possible I've been a little lucky to avoid real intolerant dumbasses so far. [emoji6]

 

In this day and age I doubt that anyone will even notice.We've been to Biloxi many times and it's no different than anywhere else. Easy drive to NOLA on I-10 or take the scenic Rt 90 for part of the way.. Lots of outdoor activities to do in Biloxi and some great seafood restaurant.

 

I've only been to Biloxi once, but I think all will be good. I'm two states over in Georgia, you would fit in well here.

 

I can not imagine any issues. Maybe if you stopped into some really small establishment somebody might not be happy, but even then, no hassles. In the bigger places, you will be among many interracial couples. Everybody goes about their business. I would not expect anything different than you experience at home.

As to New Orleans... check out google maps. You will see it is a bit over an hour and easy to get to. Either along the coast part way (longer) or I-10.

 

I wouldn't make a point of stopping inside any biker bars (I watch too many movies), but aside from that you have nothing to worry about.

 

I've learned that one of the problems with answering this question is that unless you are also in a similarly discriminated against group, you are ill equipped to answer. My wife is Hispanic and I'm white and I've learned that there were places I thought were just fine that she was uncomfortable in. It's sad that in 2017 you'd still have to ask this question but I do understand.

 

Biloxi doesn't represent the rest of the state. It is a tourist area with as much diversity as you would see in major cities in the South as well as the North. Living in a state that borders Mississippi, I would suggest that, unfortunately, there are still as many issues as there are even in New Jersey where diversity is not openly welcomed by everyone. But, these issues are probably not in areas where your would be travelling. Small towns and rural areas have changed quite a bit from the Old South that was disgustingly out of touch with the real world. But, as a comedian has said, "you can't fix Stupid".

I've been to Biloxi quite a few times and have never seen or sensed any problems as your wife is sensitive to. It's a fun area with lots to do, see, eat and hopefully even "win".

 

I'm a pretty seasoned veteran of Biloxi, never seen any racial shit like that there,ever.. Actually in Biloxi there seems to be more black residents and casino workers than whites...NOLA on the other hand is going through a massive crime wave right now. Most of the victims have been tourists. I'd stay in Biloxi this go round.

 

Good to know, so is NOLA not safe even in the tourist areas?

 

I'm from Mississippi. No one cares. Of course there's a few nutjobs out there but I'm almost certain Mississippi doesn't have a stranglehold on intolerance.

 

Thanks or the question Blue ! I too was wondering what my wife and I ( both black) might encounter during our southern trip ( Buffalo, Cincy, Louisville then Biloxi). Just deleted a night in tunica for a 4th nigh in Biloxi. Definitely will avoid the "biker stops" and other locales. However I have had a moment or 2 of thoughts when planning my route through Alabama and Mississippi to Biloxi!

 

Louisville (to the surprise of many) is a very progressive small city and extremely tourist friendly. Rural Kentucky happens pretty soon after you leave the city, but most of our racists are confined to smaller areas and they show the flag. My parents lived in South Carolina for a while and I was shocked at how flagrant the segregation was in 'private' clubs, but I never sensed anything like that in Biloxi.

 

Sooo fill up my gas tank before I leave Louisville????

 

Were you with your wife in the places?

 

We have been places together where I thought everything was fine and later learned she didn't. But when I wrote that I was thinking more of examples like the town where I grew up. I never thought of it as discriminatory but her family did. After being out of it for all of college and then going back to visit, I can see how she got that impression.

 

I think the bold above might be the issue. Its not so much BBT getting harassed for being a cracker, but his wife getting teased or harassed for being with him.

Anyone that thinks this is not an issue in Biloxi has never stepped foot outside of the Beau Rivage. As a white person, try taking your African American wife to the water during "Black Beach" and see what happens!

For anyone that has never been to Biloxi, feel free to google "Black Beach Biloxi"

Yes it is sad, but you need to be a realist. White/Black couples are not that plentiful in that area so people dont respond like they would in Chicago or even Atlanta where it is more common. I doubt anyone would bother to threaten you. It would be more other blacks asking her why she couldn't find a brother. Either half teasing, an attempt to be funny or whatever.

I'm in an interracial marriage myself and there have been plenty of times where the wife has been teased or questioned by her own race for being with giant whitey (me). It is a little different, she is Asian, so its not so much harassing as it is asking "Why you wit dat?". We mostly get hit by this shit at Japanese Festivals or the like. People are just ignorant.

 

The south is slowly and surely changing. But we have a long ways to go. I live in Louisiana and you need to avoid Nola. It's just been let go too far. The media and government try and downplay but its getting to whole new level of bad. .

 

My response was going to be "absolutely not a problem" but then I read Grids reply. I say that because we stay at the Bea Rivage and rarely leave the hotel. I definitely see many interracial couples at the Beau and it's a great mix of races at the hotel in general. I mean, we've wandered over to the Hard Rock and Mary Mahoney's for dinner but I've never been too far into the rural areas. As someone else said, that's a shame that in 2017 a person even needs to ask that question but I'm afraid we have a few more generations to die off to really start eliminating the ignorance. And even at that, sadly there will be people (of all races) that teach it either verbally or by example for years to come.