a question about acceptance

[yanklib]

Greetings from the frozen north.

My question is for people of color living in TV, indeed, if there are any - I can't tell one way or the other by scanning these forums.

Do you feel accepted and are you comfortable in your day to day dealings there? Are there mixed couples living in TV?

[SALYBOW]

I would accept them!!!!

[mfp509]

No problem here!!!

[Dynasty]

We're all colored down here from the sun! Mixed couples? Yes, we have men living with women, men living with men, and women living with women.

Seriously, in this last chapter of our lives we are all in the same boat. I don't think any cares about your race or sexual preference.

Come on down.

[redwitch]

I'm sure it is an issue to some people, but I don't think it is to many. I have friends of various shades of color. Some I know well enough to ask if it makes a difference here and they've told me it made absolutely no difference. They are accepted because of the type of people they are, their interests and abilities. Their skin color doesn't seem to matter. I think the one who has it the hardest is an African Muslim. He is actually more accepted because of his caucasian, Christian wife -- this seems to make him "safe" (as he puts it).

The best to see how little it matters to most here is to come down and a Lifestyle visit. I think you'll find that people will be as friendly to you as you are to them.

[Avista]

http://www.taaclub.org/index.htm For example, here is the site for the African American CLub

[ducati1974]

I don't think you'll have to worry about being "blue" when you go to The Villages!

[BaylorBear]

Greetings from the frozen north.

My question is for people of color living in TV, indeed, if there are any - I can't tell one way or the other by scanning these forums.

Do you feel accepted and are you comfortable in your day to day dealings there? Are there mixed couples living in TV?

Color?? What color?? Nobody here cares what color anybody may be. We're way beyond that silliness!! Come on down and you will be able to see for yourselves. We're very friendly and most of us think we are very cute as well! You will absolutely LOVE the place!:wave:

[ilovetv]

While caucasians are clearly the majority, I have spoken with various American and Carribean black couples and individuals around TV and dancing at Lake Sumter Landing. I have no doubts they are having the time of their lives and several told me they "LOVE" it here because of the beauty, orderly society, friendliness, nice homes etc.

For all the talk around the nation about "diversity" and even forcing employees etc. into "diversity training" when they don't want to do it, I find that TV is the most naturally diverse community we've ever seen, with people coming from all states and other nations/continents.

And if you do run into somebody who worries about people of color, forget about it.....there are those in most other places too....and in TV having 80,000 people, you then have thousands of others who will be happy to meet you.

We all have so much in common with our neighbors from other states that it would be bone-headed to dwell on somebody's color. I would say that it's best to avoid discussions on religion and politics until you know somebody fairly well, to learn whether they're going to throw away everything else you've shared in common, for the sake of friendship being contingent upon political party (which sadly, is true with some, but not many).

[michaelkir]

Acceptance eh? Well, I played last week with a group of guys that I guess you would call people of color. They gladly accepted my quarter for losing the hole and I gladly accepted their quarters on holes I won. Laughter and stories for 18 holes, with a little friendly competition mixed in. I hope I can play with these guys and their group again, each one a gentleman and fun to play with. I don’t know if there was any acceptance going on, I don’t think any of us really was thinking about it, just four guys playing golf. But isn’t that the way it is suppose to be???

[Vinny]

I for one would welcome more diversity here. After living in major cities and working around the world I find that I miss the ethnic diversity I lived with. We are trying to get our old friends from back home to come here and they have made one visit already and are planning a second this summer. They are Puerto Rican and did not sense any discrimination during their first stay.

I will also be honest and say what some may not want to say or have not run into but there is a very small minority of people here who are prejudiced about almost everything and everyone different than they are but they tend to be shunned by the rest of us and have very few friends. The overwhelming majority of people here will judge you by who you are and not what you are.

[dfn8tly]

Ah yes, as Kermit said "it's not easy being green".

The truth is your attitude is important. If you expect to find prejudice you probably will. If you smile and wave and get to know your neighbors this is a wonderful, accepting community.

Come on down and see for yourself.

[ajdeck]

Greetings from the frozen north.

My question is for people of color living in TV, indeed, if there are any - I can't tell one way or the other by scanning these forums.

Do you feel accepted and are you comfortable in your day to day dealings there? Are there mixed couples living in TV?


Let's hope not but there are still some that have a problem with anything in life if it be you or me or...

So come down and most all will not even notice, good people are good people and bad people are bad people - end of story.

aj

p.s. good luck at finding your dream

[gardenia]

yanklib: I too asked the same question right here on this forum about acceptance before moving down here, and I can proudly say I have had a very warm welcome since moving down to The Villages from NY/NJ 7 months ago. As others have already said, it's not so much how you look that matters here, it's how you relate and interact with others - I have made terrific friends with folks right here on this forum, in all the exercise classes and social activities I go to and just about everywhere I turn (mind you, I am very outgoing!). I do wish there was more diversity in many activities I go to, but that never stops me from going nor from interacting with the attendees. Matter of fact, I love being "one of the regulars" in the activities I participate in, and never feel as "the odd man out" in any way. Regarding mixed couples, to be honest, I haven't seen too many but there are a few.

So, if you like meeting new people, have a passion for life, and a strong sense of community don't give it any more thought - just come on down, and you will have the time of your life! Feel free to send me a PM if you'd like more info.

[JohnN]

I think most all the people get along very well here, my experience.

[graciegirl]

I don't understand the problem.

You are people who would like to live in The Villages.

You don't have little bratty kids do you?

You have to be "old enough" you know.

That's about it.

It is really great here. You realize you will be smiling all of the time.

Come down, and welcome

[barb1191]

Our next door neighbor is a beautiful lady of color whom Bill and I adore. We feel she's part of our family and who sees color, anyway? It seems to me that all these bathing beauties (heh...I mean "broadly" speaking) sitting by the pools sunning themselves to get color, right? Color is beautiful! We're caucasion and don't see color but see beautiful people of all ethnicity both inside and outside.

By the way, the plethora of groups here include almost every ethnicity, however, on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, everyone becomes Irish and the crowd has a great time "wearin' o' the green" within the town squares with parades and fun, fun, fun.

C'mon down; see for yourselves; the place sells itself....barb

[Pturner]

Hi Janklib,

My own family is a blended family. Specifically, we are two people, one dog and one cat. We're different colors too.

Except for the various critters who live among us throughout TV, we're all members of the same race. The human race.

Come on down!

[bluedog103]

The only color I have a problem with is red, as in Red Sox.
Come on down, I don't think you'll find race to be an issue at all.

[yanklib]

Thank you all for your responses to my inquiry. I conclude that yours is a community in which we could live. Now if I can just persuade my better half.

Hope to visit soon.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Thank you all for your responses to my inquiry. I conclude that yours is a community in which we could live. Now if I can just persuade my better half.

Hope to visit soon.

Just get your better half to be willing to come for a look-see. As others have said, the place sells itself!

Bill

[ceegeo]

Color?? What color?? Nobody here cares what color anybody may be. We're way beyond that silliness!! Come on down and you will be able to see for yourselves. We're very friendly and most of us think we are very cute as well! You will absolutely LOVE the place!:wave:

I love your answer "we're way beyond that silliness!" Oh how wonderful that is. The Villagers are color blind and I love it. God bless us one and all.

[TrudyM]

Thank you all for your responses to my inquiry. I conclude that yours is a community in which we could live. Now if I can just persuade my better half.

Hope to visit soon.
I am married to a Hawaiian Japanese and have been suprised at how rude some people can be. I have decided to leave this call up to my husband. The people who post on this forum are too nice and of a friendly sort I suspect maybe a representation of the best side of things, and I am sure that means that there are people in the villages who are open and accepting. When we visited people were very nice and as my husband golfed every day he had a good time. But that doesn't mean that a person who is use to be surounded by a more diverse group might not feel more comfortable not surrounded by a sea of white over the long haul. I know that when I was in the neighborhood he grew up in I sometimes felt out of place. (We lived in a more mixed neighborhood when we lived in Hawaii and he was from a very locals only one) My hubby is so easy going I decided I have to curb my natural tendancy to push for the villages and let him decide when the time comes.
If we can ever sell this house so we can retire my husband and I plan to rent for several months in different parts of the country maybe even over a two year period. Then I am going to make him pick.

[graciegirl]

I grew up in Columbus, Ohio. I was born in 1939.

Until I left high school I had not met anyone other than whites and blacks.

Now in Cincinnati, we live on a street with much diversity.

People are people, plain and simple. I like some of them better than others but not because of their ethnic backgrounds...FOR SURE.

I love being older and I ADORE what Baylor Bear said.

"We are beyond that kind of silliness".

Sometimes you get up in the morning, and read your good ole TOTV posts and find the most beautiful wisdom.

Baylor Bear. I cannot wait to hug you.

[HeyGirly]

Baylor Bear, I just love how perfectly you summed it up: "We are beyond that kind of silliness." I grew up in Brooklyn, New York and my childhood neighborhood was a rainbow of great kids and their families. It's where I learned that people are just... people.

Hope you'll come on down and join the rest of us who just love this place!

[katezbox]

OK - I am going to throw in a bit of realism here. I personally know some of the posters that are saying we are beyond all this - and they truly are. When I was teaching adult ed in New Haven, one of my students gave me a wonderful compliment - that I didn't care if someone was black, white, brown or green - I just wanted to help them learn.

TV is like many places on this wonderful earth and in this fabulous country of ours. There are people with and without prejudices. I have a gay son and a Muslim son in law. I once was, but am no longer, a Republican. I am adopted. I have heard slurs here in TV against gays, against Muslims, and against adopted children. I was told that my political beliefs (which are fiscally conservative, but socially moderate) are extreme.

I am not a negative person - I hope Gracie and PT will confirm this.

I am thinking that most of us (me included!!!!) will welcome you with open arms - but while this is very close to paradise - it is not Nirvana.

[Larry Wilson]

I am married to a Hawaiian Japanese and have been suprised at how rude some people can be. I have decided to leave this call up to my husband. The people who post on this forum are too nice and of a friendly sort I suspect maybe a representation of the best side of things, and I am sure that means that there are people in the villages who are open and accepting. When we visited people were very nice and as my husband golfed every day he had a good time. But that doesn't mean that a person who is use to be surounded by a more diverse group might not feel more comfortable not surrounded by a sea of white over the long haul. I know that when I was in the neighborhood he grew up in I sometimes felt out of place. (We lived in a more mixed neighborhood when we lived in Hawaii and he was from a very locals only one) My hubby is so easy going I decided I have to curb my natural tendancy to push for the villages and let him decide when the time comes.
If we can ever sell this house so we can retire my husband and I plan to rent for several months in different parts of the country maybe even over a two year period. Then I am going to make him pick.

The first question was for "people of color living in TV". I find it interesting that so many felt they could respond for people of color. If you are white, I really don't think you know how Asia, Black, Hispanic... feel.

[ilovetv]

The first question was for "people of color living in TV". I find it interesting that so many felt they could respond for people of color. If you are white, I really don't think you know how Asia, Black, Hispanic... feel.

And?

What is invalid about the posts of the people here who would actually be DOING the "accepting" or "not accepting" of newcomers??

[katezbox]

And?

What is invalid about the posts of the people here who would actually be DOING the "accepting" or "not accepting" of newcomers??

Love,

I don't Larry is saying that you are wrong - just that the original poster had asked for input from people of color. The groundbreaking novel "Black Like Me" (Griffin, 1961) proved that those who are not minorities cannot understand fully the experience of those who are.

Many Villagers listen on a regular basis to Rush, Glenn, Sean and Ann - all who have made racist remarks on the air. I have one well-educated friend who lives in TV who think that the WWII interment camps for the Japanese were a good idea and should be used now for all Muslims regardless of citizenship and another who thinks that it was only "radicals" in South Africa that wanted to end apartheid - the "regular" blacks were happy with the status quo.

I think anyone of color (or married to a person of color) would want, like Trudy, to be sure they would be welcome by a large majority of Villagers.

[redwitch]

Kate, I'm with you. To say or imply that everyone will welcome someone "different" is not accurate. I don't care how perfect a place is, how ethnically diverse it is, how wonderful the people are, there will always be some who are prejudiced and non-accepting. I've gotten grief here for adopting a child, for being a liberal, for caring about my Muslim friend, for loving my gay friend. Nothing major but enough to make me realize that people are people regardless of where you live.

That being said, I do believe that the vast majority in TV are accepting. They really don't care about your color, your political beliefs, your income, your status. They care that you care about your home and take care of it. They care that you smile and love TV as much as they do. They care that you want to take care of this wonderful community. It ain't perfect here, but it is dang good.

[katezbox]

We all have so much in common with our neighbors from other states that it would be bone-headed to dwell on somebody's color. I would say that it's best to avoid discussions on religion and politics until you know somebody fairly well, to learn whether they're going to throw away everything else you've shared in common, for the sake of friendship being contingent upon political party (which sadly, is true with some, but not many).

:BigApplause: Good advice...

[Pturner]

OK - I am going to throw in a bit of realism here. I personally know some of the posters that are saying we are beyond all this - and they truly are. When I was teaching adult ed in New Haven, one of my students gave me a wonderful compliment - that I didn't care if someone was black, white, brown or green - I just wanted to help them learn.

TV is like many places on this wonderful earth and in this fabulous country of ours. There are people with and without prejudices. I have a gay son and a Muslim son in law. I once was, but am no longer, a Republican. I am adopted. I have heard slurs here in TV against gays, against Muslims, and against adopted children. I was told that my political beliefs (which are fiscally conservative, but socially moderate) are extreme.

I am not a negative person - I hope Gracie and PT will confirm this.

I am thinking that most of us (me included!!!!) will welcome you with open arms - but while this is very close to paradise - it is not Nirvana.

Confirmed! I love Kate and who wouldn't. She's smart, fun, funny and has great values.

[graciegirl]

Confirmed! I love Kate and who wouldn't. She's smart, fun, funny and has great values.

Et moi aussi!

[Shirleevee]

[QUOTE=redwitch;340572]Kate, I'm with you. To say or imply that everyone will welcome someone "different" is not accurate. I don't care how perfect a place is, how ethnically diverse it is, how wonderful the people are, there will always be some who are prejudiced and non-accepting. I've gotten grief here for adopting a child, for being a liberal, for caring about my Muslim friend, for loving my gay friend. Nothing major but enough to make me realize that people are people regardless of where you live.

That being said, I do believe that the vast majority in TV are accepting. They really don't care about your color, your political beliefs, your income, your status. They care that you care about your home and take care of it. They care that you smile and love TV as much as they do. They care that you want to take care of this wonderful community. It ain't perfect here, but it is dang good.[/QUOT

My observations are that the majority in TV are accepting. There are a few who are not, and I think I have encountered some of them.

[katezbox]

[QUOTE=redwitch;340572]Kate, I'm with you. To say or imply that everyone will welcome someone "different" is not accurate. I don't care how perfect a place is, how ethnically diverse it is, how wonderful the people are, there will always be some who are prejudiced and non-accepting. I've gotten grief here for adopting a child, for being a liberal, for caring about my Muslim friend, for loving my gay friend. Nothing major but enough to make me realize that people are people regardless of where you live.

That being said, I do believe that the vast majority in TV are accepting. They really don't care about your color, your political beliefs, your income, your status. They care that you care about your home and take care of it. They care that you smile and love TV as much as they do. They care that you want to take care of this wonderful community. It ain't perfect here, but it is dang good.[/QUOT

My observations are that the majority in TV are accepting. There are a few who are not, and I think I have encountered some of them.

Shirlee, PT, Red and Gracie - thanks for your comments and support...

Yank, if you come to visit send me a PM - we will have you over - with many of these other fine folks for the best pizza south of New Haven...

[2 Oldcrabs]

Try renting for at least 6 months, a year if you can. Be yourself and assess TV for yourself. People tell you to keep your politics and reglion to your self for a reason. TV is a very nice place, but we worry if we will be accepted since we are retired Union workers and some what Liberal. Read the Political forum. The people on this forum seem to be the nicest of TV. Best of luck to you and hope TV is a good fit for you.

[graciegirl]

Try renting for at least 6 months, a year if you can. Be yourself and assess TV for yourself. People tell you to keep your politics and reglion to your self for a reason. TV is a very nice place, but we worry if we will be accepted since we are retired Union workers and some what Liberal. Read the Political forum. The people on this forum seem to be the nicest of TV. Best of luck to you and hope TV is a good fit for you.

I think....on the matter of politics.....

that the political forum does not accurately represent TOTV or TV.

I have gone to many get togethers at Crispers, and had a few at our home for TOTV'rs and never met anyone who posted frequently on the political forum.

Most people on TOTV and those who you meet in The Villages welcome the chance to meet others...for just about any reason.

I believe that The Villages is overwhelmingly Republican, but I still think there is a huge group of moderates who live here who don't discuss their politics.

We all have differences; our religion, upbringing, geographic areas, basic born with us personalities, but we are mostly alike because we are a little closer to curtain time than we used to be.

If we haven't figured out that this is the place AND TIME to see how alike we all are and to love, not squabble, dance not cry, smile not frown and to hug...than someone needs to point it out to us.

Have a wonderful day in The Villages and feel this hug...everyone.

[swimdawg]

:thumbup::thumbup:I think....on the matter of politics.....

that the political forum does not accurately represent TOTV or TV.

I have gone to many get togethers at Crispers, and had a few at our home for TOTV'rs and never met anyone who posted frequently on the political forum.

Most people on TOTV and those who you meet in The Villages welcome the chance to meet others...for just about any reason.

I believe that The Villages is overwhelmingly Republican, but I still think there is a huge group of moderates who live here who don't discuss their politics.

We all have differences; our religion, upbringing, geographic areas, basic born with us personalities, but we are mostly alike because we are a little closer to curtain time than we used to be.

If we haven't figured out that this is the place AND TIME to see how alike we all are and to love, not squabble, dance not cry, smile not frown and to hug...than someone needs to point it out to us.

Have a wonderful day in The Villages and feel this hug...everyone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And it's people like you, GG, and so many of the others with POSITIVE attitudes that make me excited about moving to TV. Thank you!:BigApplause:
Of course, the fact that our temp here is moving up to 23 degrees helps my excitement as well. :cold: Bring on the warmth and sunshine!

[katezbox]

:thumbup::thumbup:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And it's people like you, GG, and so many of the others with POSITIVE attitudes that make me excited about moving to TV. Thank you!:BigApplause:
Of course, the fact that our temp here is moving up to 23 degrees helps my excitement as well. :cold: Bring on the warmth and sunshine!

As usual, Gracie is exactly right. Yank, I hope we (!?) haven't scared you away... But sometimes I think the amount we love this place blinds us a bit to it's faults.

k

[swimdawg]

As usual, Gracie is exactly right. Yank, I hope we (!?) haven't scared you away... But sometimes I think the amount we love this place blinds us a bit to it's faults.

k
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OMG.......no, you haven't scared me away. I like to "hear it like it is"! I know there is no utopia (or TV would have an indoor pool!:D). I have learned so much from this forum and I'm very grateful to hear the pros and cons. However, I think some of the members (few) enjoy complaining. I'll read the posts and say to the dawg, "There's Mr. Negative complaining again, etc.". I've had so many friends/acquaintances tell me the negatives of TV....and they've never even visited TV! I'm sure they "mean well"?? :rolleyes: I'm in a unique position. I arrived in TV looking for property not knowing a soul. I found it to be everything I want for my future life (sans an indoor pool---am I driving you crazy?). Anyway, thank you for honest posts......and I am excited about becoming a resident in TV. :thumbup:

[Pturner]

I think....on the matter of politics.....

that the political forum does not accurately represent TOTV or TV.

I have gone to many get togethers at Crispers, and had a few at our home for TOTV'rs and never met anyone who posted frequently on the political forum.

Most people on TOTV and those who you meet in The Villages welcome the chance to meet others...for just about any reason.

I believe that The Villages is overwhelmingly Republican, but I still think there is a huge group of moderates who live here who don't discuss their politics.

We all have differences; our religion, upbringing, geographic areas, basic born with us personalities, but we are mostly alike because we are a little closer to curtain time than we used to be.

If we haven't figured out that this is the place AND TIME to see how alike we all are and to love, not squabble, dance not cry, smile not frown and to hug...than someone needs to point it out to us.

Have a wonderful day in The Villages and feel this hug...everyone.

No wonder you're my hero!