Politics and the People
Sense of Community and Collaboration"We get along well, but we don't mix a lot." "That's Black and White, that some people just don't want to disturb things, don't want to come to grips with anything that's, that could be stressful. 'We're getting along all right. Why don't you leave it alone?'"
- Service Provider
Race relations, meaning the amount and quality of interaction between racial groups and the attitudes held about other races, are not explained well by secondary data. It is largely a matter of perception, and perceptions clearly vary in Warrenton. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the town was 0.1% Asian, 0.9% Hispanic, 1.6% Native American, 37% African American, and 61.5% White. The proportion of Whites to African Americans in the census tract surrounding the town is almost the reverse of that in the town itself (32.3% White and 66.8% African American). Generally, more Whites live within the municipal boundaries of towns in Warren County than live in the rural areas.
Community members' and service providers' comments about race relations were usually made in response to the question: "How do different races or ethnic groups get along in Warrenton?" Because, race relations are difficult to discuss plainly, the answers participants gave were often vague and difficult to interpret. Therefore, the interpretations of the quotes about race relations are biased by the fact that the team had to infer a good deal of meaning from most comments.
Many people feel that race relations have not improved over the years and that today there is an undercurrent of racism, rather than overt racism within the community. Others feel that "[the way people treat you is] not [based on] your age or race…it's your personality and attitude itself." A slightly different perspective is that only certain types of individuals do not get along with people: "Come in with an attitude. You get an attitude."
Many community members were also concerned about the lack of relationships between people of different races. One older African American woman remarked, "We appear, for whatever reason, to be afraid to lose our identity; to talk to [people of other races]. You know, you don't have to marry the person because you talk to them. Fear just seems to be our worst enemy." Other community members indicate that many of their fellow residents assume that race relations are fine. "I have friends who don't know. They say 'Isn't Warrenton a warm town? Isn't Warrenton a wonderful town?' but they don't know the people down the road who happen to be browner than they are. They don't even know those people's last name." Most community members do not think that the race problems in the community are malicious. "A lot of stuff that we do, we do it out of ignorance. We don't do it out of trying to cause any harm."
Overall, there are few differences between comments from African American and White community members on the topic of race relations. The differences are more along generational lines and perhaps where people were raised. In general, most focus group participants indicated that race issues in Warrenton and Warren County are similar to those in majority of rural areas in the United States. Many people mentioned that race relations need improvement across the country, and not just in Warren County.
Similar to community members, there is some difference of opinion among service providers regarding the status of race relations in Warrenton as it enters the twenty-first century. Many people "think probably we need to close ranks as one town as opposed to the underlying conflict that still continues between Black and White here." Some see two communities, both of which have a strong sense of community: one White and one African American, while others "just see a mixing of people. I don't see one part of town versus another." However, most providers acknowledge that "Sunday, let's say around 10 or 11 o'clock is the most segregated time in this county. That's because all Blacks go to Black churches, Whites go to White churches."
The different perceptions of race relations result in part from different expectations. As one provider put it, "on a personal basis there's a lot of segregation and a lot of distrust." To some people the lack of social integration is perfectly acceptable. "You find interaction all the time…with the exception of churches, country clubs, and some of those type of organizations, like you know, private clubs…it's still a segregated situation…for the most part, interaction is fine." There is a sense among service providers that since racism exists everywhere, it is not a top priority for this community to address.
"I don't know where the line is between having your heritage and excluding everybody else because of the color of their skin. That's a bad thing. Somewhere there seems to be a fuzzy line. It seems like some folks can do that and not get called on the carpet and other folks can't do that." This comment echoes the concern of a few service providers that there is a double standard in the community. For example, one service provider said that the Warrenton Rural Fire Department, a traditionally White, and now mixed fire department, has offered several times to merge with the Town of Warrenton Fire Department, a traditionally Black department. "They want nothing to do with it."
Many service providers were also concerned about the growing Hispanic population. This group has unique problems because of language and cultural issues. Providers worry that not enough services are available in Spanish and that organizations are not prepared to meet this growing need. Other providers concentrated on African American/White relations. Few providers mentioned the Haliwa-Saponi, few of whom live in Warrenton itself.
Based on comments from service providers and community members, a number of people in Warrenton think that there are only two "opposite" races, but others disagree. Some community members were more inclusive of other races, talking about three racial groups in the community (African Americans, Native Americans, and Whites), but they did not talk about the Hispanic population, which was addressed by more service providers.
The service providers and community members did not differ systematically in their comments about race relations. Service providers were more guarded in their comments than community members were. Among White respondents, some thought relations were poor and others thought they were better than in the past. Everyone agreed that things were cordial, but that is not the same as open or trusting. Many Whites think race relations are better than they used to be. Few African Americans included in interviews or focus groups echo that sentiment.
More service providers than community members reported that divisions were not maintained by one race alone and that Whites were not the only people to be exclusive in choosing with whom to associate. The important point of these views is that some community members as well as service providers recognize that segregation is something to be addressed by the entire community, either by shifting power or building relationships.
The quotes presented are simply individual comments and not generalities about people in Warrenton and Warren County. However, they do provide a view of what many people think is happening in the community. Again, the vagueness of the participants' responses and the variety of opinions illustrate the complexity of issues surrounding race relations. This is generally a complicated issue for most communities; Warren County seems to be no exception. Clear communication among groups must occur to improve the current state of race relations.
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