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We all learned in U.S. history classes about the “Great Migration” of blacks from the South to the North during the 20th century. Perhaps that may be reversing now.Chicago's Great Migration: Blacks Leaving Historic Neighborhoods To Return South
The Rust Belt is in such economic despondency that it is forcing people to go where they can find work or at least a better climate. I don't think the Northern Midwest is losing net population though, but I haven't seen the numbers either.
We all learned in U.S. history classes about the "Great Migration" of blacks from the South to the North during the 20th century. Perhaps that may be reversing now.Chicago's Great Migration: Blacks Leaving Historic Neighborhoods To Return South
I have heard some vague things about this too. I think it was presented as an explanation for the exodus from Detroit.
I think everyone is leaving Detroit. When I lived in Michigan not far from Detroit a few years ago, the city had decreased to below 1 million people (it had 2 million at its height some time around mid-century). Generally, the people who left Detroit as part of “white flight” settled in the suburbs. Today, there is a ring of well-to-do suburbs around Detroit while the center decays with abandoned buildings and crime-ridden areas. I feel that the general bleakness in the American auto industry today (thanks, unions!) means that Michigan can never recover from its fall by relying on the industry of yesteryear. Perhaps this is one of the reason for today's black migration; Michigan (and surrounding areas) are simply not going to offer the same types of jobs as in the past, so blacks are finding less reason to remain there. Then again, I'm not sure what Mississippi or Alabama would have to offer, either.
Yeah but Mississippi comes in last or near last in almost every economic-related ranking that I see. Sure, it's probably cheaper to live there, but if the jobs aren't there it doesn't mean much, does it? Actually, I don't have anything against the state – I was there in Jackson a couple of years ago briefly and wouldn't mind going back sometime – but it has been dealt an unfortunate hand.
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