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Remember that the UP is a huuuuge tourist destination and the people that live there are very well used to being exposed to all kinds of kinds. You’ll have your bad seeds everywhere but the yoopers I know are incredibly kind and accepting.
I live in the UP, people may have their prejudices but they don’t voice them. People are kind, but often they are not going to engage with you unless you initiate it. I grew up in NW MI and I’d say people were more likely to be confrontational or rude there.
Black bears don’t discriminate.
Neither do cougars, but the DNR promises they aren't in the area.
I for one however am always scared when going to any bar in Marquette for fear of being ravaged by them.
For research purposes where specifically are you most scared of said event?
Last summer I went to the UP with two of my best friends, who are both brown, and they felt safe. We also noticed a lot of tourists at some of the bigger state park sites, and many of them w were brown as well, if that’s any reassurance.
Most people we met were really nice, and honestly given how isolated the communities up north are, I think they’re ecstatic when anyone is interested in going up there. Everyone we met was really nice. Have fun!
Yes, enjoy your trip and hikes.
I'd be more worried about wildlife.
And the wildlife in the UP isn’t very scary. Black bears are overgrown raccoons. Ticks and mosquitoes are the biggest problem in Michigan.
Yes. Avoid black fly season.
would you rather stumble upon a racist in the woods or a bear /s
I’m a brown woman who studied at Michigan tech, houghton 18 yrs back. And we go there now with my own young brown, family every year.
The sweetest, kindest and nicest folks ever.
I have seen in, in life, that if we WANT to take Offense at something; our sub conscious mind come up with some excuses.
I grew up in West Michigan and now live in the Marquette area. I love both places but I personally feel that Marquette is a much more kind and accepting community. Having NMU here helps diversify the population a bit. As others have said, you will come across bad apples anywhere but I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Enjoy your trip :)
As a yooper, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE if you do any hiking try to do so with someone familiar with the area!!! So many people have tragic accidents due to not knowing the area and venturing off.
My gf is mixed though I guess she would immediately come off as “brown”. We haven’t had a problem and we’ve camped all over Michigan. I can’t guarantee you won’t run into some idiot somewhere but just giving my experiences with her.
As a mixed person, who has a dark skinned mother, I understand where your worries are coming from. Ignore the idiots who lack any sort of empathy for your concerns as a brown person. I’m actually glad you asked this, it’s good info to know. I hate when my mom feels uncomfortable and unsafe, but I would also love for her to visit the UP. She has trauma from people being racist towards her. Picking areas with her comfort in mind really does matter. There is a good amount of white ppl who don’t care to understand, but as a white passing Latina, I appreciate this post. I hope you have a good time up north!
(I say this bc I have heard of northern Michigan being very religious and racist. There is no harm in asking)
It's all true. I've seen the open racism first hand.
I say this because I heard…….unless you know firsthand, please don’t comment
No they can comment. They heard, and was glad the question was asked. Whats the big deal. More than likely you are someone who doesn’t have to worry about these type of things. World would be better if people had empathy.
Marquette is very friendly to all people, you’ll have no problems there. When driving through the UP I would advise you to stop in St. Ignace and then try to make it to Marquette, if you must stop, go to munising or official rest areas.
There’s as many racist people in Livonia or Novi as in the eastern UP, but they shouldn’t avoid Twelve Oaks or a gas station on Newburgh.
Wow, what if I sald don't stop between 8 mile and Southgate? You're talking like a bigot. People in Brevort, Naubinway, Germfask, Seney etc are decent people
There are lots of decent people in those communities, and I’m not saying anyone is getting hurt. But the odds of getting a comment that makes someone uncomfortable are higher. If you are traveling with children most people want to avoid that.
Based off what?
My nephew is mixed and very brown, as well as most of my cousins are Indian and red born based. We camp, hike, visit places, eat at restaurants (even in the funky rink places) up there all the time and have never had issues. He gets more hate online it in game chat than anywhere. Just remember Haters gonna hate. I would however if you plan on camping or hiking anywhere have a side arm for bears or pumas. Better to have and not need it than not have and need it, just open carry it so no one harasses you or takes issue. Otherwise, have fun as they want those tourist dollars.
No one cares what color you are save the person that doesn’t like people in general. Just go enjoy the outdoors, and stay on the trails.
I’d be more concerned about wildlife than other people up here.
Good lord.
What kind of fear mongering propaganda have you been fed? You'll be fine
Act as though your are traveling in the very deep south. Exact same situation. If you see a confederate flag or similar hanging at a business, find another place to buy snacks/ supplies/ gas.
My guy… nothing is going to happen to you🤣 Nobody cares about what color you are.
Nobody? My guy... 🤣
From my own experiences in northern and upper Michigan, that is not true. It isn't a diversified Detroit or Grand Rapids up there. Probably 90% white and they are not embarrassed at all to fly the Confederate flag, Trump flag and have a gun or two on them.
They like to give the illusion they welcome everybody but I'd say more than half are actually very racist. I was in a restaurant by Munising last summer and one customer was saying loud enough so several tables could hear, that he couldn't wait until September when all the n****s left town. Probably 20 other people in the restaurant and nobody said a word.
That being said, Michigan is pretty racist anyway.
From personal experience having grown up in the UP, the only outright racists I knew were transplants from the Detroit area.
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Wtf kind of post is this
there are plenty of rural areas all across this state and country that are actively hostile towards non-white people, especially out of towners
I would worry more going to nice suburbs (Howell, Novi) of Detroit than Marquette.
i would too, Marquette area is amazing, but i’m responding to a comment that asked “wtf kind of post is this”
With no credible argument btw
No he just wants to give anecdotal stories about a one off encounter and make sweeping generalizations of an entire area.
I understand.
And how many stories do you hear of those places in Michigan assaulting people of color? I'll give you a hint, it's less than 0.5
Instances of hate crimes have also been found in the Upper Peninsula. In early July, 23-year-old Nathan Weeden was indicted for allegedly painting swastikas on Temple Jacob in Hancock. Back in June, 19-year-old Sean Pietila from Pickford was indicted by a grand jury for allegedly making antisemitic threats on Instagram.
Commissioner Luke Londo, who graduated from Marquette Senior High School, said addressing civil rights issues for the entire state is essential.
“The civil rights issues in Detroit, Grand Rapids and Traverse City are, largely, the same issues that are affecting Yoopers as well,” Londo said. “So, it’s not only important to come up and have a meeting up here but it’s also important to showcase to the people here we are concerned about the civil rights issues of all Michiganders, especially and including, residents of the Upper Peninsula.”
In 2023, when new hate crime legislation was being worked on, it was talked about that the UP has hate-motivated incidents. Denying that it can happen in the UP is silly. It doesn't hurt for someone to ask because knowledge is power. Power to prepare, to know to avoid any specific area, or just be able to plan.
You’ve just proved my point again. Of course there are racist people. You’re citing people who were charged for hate crimes for drawing and making threats online……how is that unsafe
Why do you people insist on living your life in fear, jesus christ it cat be enjoyable.
sure thing bud
Again a well thought out rebuttal to back up your claim of unsafe communities in Michigan
is racism more prevalent in some communities more so than others, yes or no?
Name one that you have first hand experience with
i get pestered about my ethnicity and get called things like “Juan” and “Jose” by the yokels when me and my wife visit her family in Alcona County and i’m just an olive skinned dark haired white boy lmao
is your insinuation that there aren’t racist communities that non-white people have to worry about?
So at what point are you going to give a situation where you were unsafe. You still haven’t, my point exactly
i 100% have felt unsafe with 3 farm boys twice my size surrounding me going “so what are you? mexican or something?”
once again is the insinuation here that we live in a post-racial society? that there no longer exists any sort of racist community?
Who said that? Have you read my comments? Don’t be naive
ok, so we agree that there are racist communities then? if that’s the case why are you bothered by OP making sure that Marquette/the UP isn’t one of them?
No, I don’t agree we have communities that will round up the non whites and harm them physically. I’m sure there are individuals, but you can find those anywhere. I 100% don’t think there are communities. That’s an insanely ignorant take.
so a place like Gladwin is just as progressive and accepting non-whites as, say, Ann Arbor?
I went camping on the west side of the state with my friend who's Middle Eastern. He has a modern look, good haircut, in shape, dresses well, and at a gas station while he was looking at snacks two yokels were eying him up and not so quietly talking about kicking out "terrorists" coming into the country. They fucked off when I made it known that my friend wasn't alone. Not so tough when they don't outnumber an unarmed brown guy, but the sentiment is there. I've never had issues in the UP like that
So again, racist people exist, I’ve said this multiple times. At what point were you attacked and unsafe? Thanks for confirming my statement
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There are openly racist people in Alcona County. I have heard it first hand since I moved here. More than once. The population skews older than average for MI counties so that doesn’t help but your defensiveness here is misplaced. You taking it personally is a bit of a self report.
I’m related to over half of the county. Of course I’m going to take it personally.
oh look you’re from the exact city i’m talking about! i’m curious as to what i possibly could have done to deserve getting surrounded by 3 big dudes and asked “what are you? mexican or something?” was i too nice when i bummed one of them a cigarette or something?
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Fair enough.
no one has to prove racism to you. this is a legitimate concern, one you are lucky enough never have to consider.
How do you know my race?
i did not claim to know your race. if you are denying racism is active in our society (outside of the south and apparently the 1940s), then whatever race/ethnicity you are, you haven’t had to consider it as you move through the world. simple statement.
Once again nobody read any of my comments. I am not denying racism. I am denying the fact that you will be “unsafe”. Which is total bullshit.
everyone is saying OP will be safe, what’s the problem with them asking?
Being judged based on your race can make a person feel unsafe. Feeling unsafe is more then just being physically harmed.
genuinely, and really in the spirit of educating you: there are micro aggressions, and active aggressions. there are areas where people feel safe, and areas where people feel distinctly unsafe. it’s a valid question, and one i must ask anywhere i travel a) as a woman and b) with a brown child.
have we experienced racism in michigan? absolutely. upper and lower. have people randomly made disparaging comments? absolutely. have we had wonderful travels in the UP and met awesome locals? absolutely.
the reason people ask is for their own safety. it’s not a disparagement on the people of michigan (or anywhere). it’s simply to get a feel for the environment.
If you're not white you are very lucky to have never been in a sketchy situation like OP is curious about.
I worked in a service industry up here, there's alot of racists. You may not infer it perhaps from your perspective and its not like anyone could verify a story for you. But they love living in remote areas and sulking in their hate. Really sad way to live most of them, it's why Trump and Republicans are successful in rual areas that lack both people of color, educational resources, and a means to do something about it, so the problem has a habbit of perpetuating, and they play them like a fiddle. So the dynamics of our politics is the proof at this point.
It's just something annoying you don't want to encounter. I would reference sundown towns and what those are today. And stick to the touristy areas. Same for the LGBTQ community. And while there are a few towns and places where people are chill. I saw someone on one of my routes that decided to take down his American flag and put up an Israeli flag in it's place.
People also often forget the clan is very active in this state, with a grand wizard once coming from Howell.
Edit: Also like MHP almost exclusively is aggressive with the way they approach public safety up here compared to down state and not in a good way.
True, but that’s it you can run into racist people anywhere. OPs post makes it sound like there are whole towns or areas where he needs to avoid or the “good ol boys” or he/she will be chased out of town. It’s 2024 and we are in MI this isn’t rurual Alabama, Mississippi or Georgia. OP enjoy your hiking UP is beautiful.
yea whenever i go thru places where there are multiple compounds flying confederate flags i simply tell myself “well at least we’re not the south!”
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Cool dude, those flags had no effect on your ability to enjoy our great state. Only thing it did was hurt your feelings. News flash buddy, people can fly whatever flags they want on their property. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t matter. Also that comment doesn’t change the fact that the UP isn’t a racist place you’re just sensitive.
Hahahaha. If not racism, what do you think the confederate flag represents?
That loser ass-flag doesn’t belong in this state. Michigan was a proud Union state, that degen shit has no place here.
But go off, let that white trash banner waive proudly.
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Of course it doesn’t, but that doesn’t mean anything unsafe is going to happen. Plenty of people are idiots, you can’t go through life worrying what other people believe or think
Okay, 🍞
Lol you have the info to back that up? How many people in US, maybe 330 million or so. Yet less than 10,000 were convicted of violent hate crimes based on race? You do math. Pretty damn prevalent isn’t it?
Yes, 10,000 hate crimes is a good thing actually, you are very smart.
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point me to where i said the UP is racist, please
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Thank you, this is exactly my point. Yet Karen and Ken can’t seem to understand this
Why are you acting so offended by this? It’s a valid question. During the BLM protests in my hometown (Charlevoix), a man drove by and yelled “fuck you N****** lovers you should die with them”
And this is unsafe, how? You’re again proving my point that racist ignorant people exist. But it’s highly highly unlikely and pretty much non-existent that someone in Michigan is attacked or unsafe for being anything other than white.
Thanks for the lovely dm calling me a “fucking idiot”
So feeling threatened is considered feeling safe. Good to know
EDIT: and to be clear, from the other comments on the post. OP should and will be fine. Yes Michigan is relatively safe but there are crazies everywhere and someone asking about it obviously not being familiar with the area is perfectly valid.
So you’re proving my point there are individuals everywhere? How does this argue my point that you’re not going to be “unsafe”
What are you talking about? You commented “wtf kind of post is this”
So far your argument has been “it’s unlikely that you’ll be “unsafe” because there are only crazy individuals”. Your argument is oxymoronic
You’re obviously not from Michigan or Northern Michigan, there are several white supremacist organizations that are on watch lists.
The kind that your privilege obviously makes you not understand.
Lol give me a break. This isn’t 60-70 years ago.
Hey buddy! I got called a slur and told to go back to mexico in Escanaba while eating ice cream on a bench. You're a moron.
OP: lt's fine, my above incident aside statistically it's not all that different from anywhere else in Michigan. Just bring some pepper spray or something, that should be standard practice anyway.
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Yeaaaah you really don't get how this works, do ya.
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Hahahaha funny thing is……wait for it…….I’m not white buddy!!!
Then you are very sheltered and lucky.
Says the white person lol. That’s 100% a quote person comment. Zip it as you’re adding nothing Karen
I'm not white lol.
Sureeeeeee
Or the fucking south. Of course there are still people out there that are ignorant. But let’s not act like it’s unsafe in Michigan for someone other than white. That’s ridiculous
I’d be more worried about going to the cities any day
100%. I worry about bears on my walks here, not fucking weirdos.
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Marquette is a college town. You’ll find a good bit of diversity there. (At least in perspective to the rest of the UP).