I was talking with an acquaintance earlier about a summer internship I have in Norwood. During our conversation, he jokingly said that I need to stay out of Norwood. This got me thinking because this is not the first time I’ve heard sentiments insinuating that minorities, specifically black people should avoid Norwood. On a few occasions, when the subject of Norwood, OH has presented itself in a conversation with other black people, it has caused them to act like a paranoid runaway slave. I’ve encountered people who act like a black person will get lynched if they dare cross the borders of Norwood. I haven’t had any problems there; I have noticed however that there appears to be virtually no visible minority presence there. There also seems to be an abundance of “hillbilly” and “white trash types” there. From my observations, a large portion of Norwood’s populace consists of obese and frumpy white women and big, tattooed, blue collar guys.

 

I find it very interesting that Norwood is located in close proximity to predominately black neighborhoods such as Evanston, Avondale, Bond Hill, and Pleasant Ridge, yet Norwood remains overwhelmingly white. Even when comparing Norwood to its neighboring white areas such as Hyde Park and Oakley, there are stark differences.

 

In certain ways, I find Norwood to be similar to Southie in Boston. Both areas are considered by many black of the respective cities as places to avoid. I don’t know the racial history of Norwood, but I know Southie has a reputation for essentially being an “enclave” for racists. Additionally, the area has had some racially charged incidents in the past which still influences the culture of the neighborhood today. On the surface, Norwood doesn’t appear to be a racist area in the way that Southie is. I’m probably biased though since I know the history of Southie, plus I remember seeing a few confederate flags in the area (hard to believe you can find a confederate flag in a place like Boston). There is no other way to explain a confederate flag in state like MA or a city like Boston other than blatant racism. I can somewhat understand it in southern states, or even border states, but when I see it in a state that is in no way close to bordering a southern state, I automatically assume that person is a racist bigot.

 

I’m getting off subject, but my main question is, does Norwood have a history of racial tension and/or incidents that has contributed to it essentially being a no-go zone for minorities? I figure there has to be something that contributes to the disposition many natives have about Norwood.

 

Yeah, Norwood has always been known as an area that minorities would avoid.  My cousin graduated from Norwood High School in 1989.  In his graduating class was the first black kid to graduate from that school. Or at least that is how he tells the story.

 

I would think that the GM factory had a large part of who lived in the neighborhood.  When the plant was built it became a large draw for Appalachian immigrants. All of this information is just my observations.  Does anybody know of a written history of Norwood? 

 

 

When my mother lived in Cincinnati during the early '60s, she says that at that time Norwood had a reputation for having a sizable black population. But she might have just seen people going to and from their jobs at the GM plant. When I would visit Norwood often a couple years back it didn't seem 100% white, but did seem mostly white. My folks are old though. Sometimes old white people aren't the most accurate when it comes to racial stats, especially when it's been 50 years since they last spent a significant amount of time in an area. She also might not have know the borders of Norwood and Bond Hill, though it sounds like there were a lot more whites in Bond Hill back then.

While Norwood can't yet be thought of as a "diverse suburb," it's gradually becoming a more mixed community.  Just check out who is renting in its largest apt. complexes (especially those bordering Pleasant Ridge) and note the diversity of the tenants.  Also visit its Surrey Sq. Kroger's and you'll discover one of the largest and most diverse food stores in the entire city.  Yes, I'm well aware that most of the black Kroger patrons travel from Evanston and Avondale, but there was a time not too long ago when black Cincinnatians feared for their lives if they dared cross Dana Ave. into Norwood from the south.  While I cannot (and should not) speak for how blacks feel about Norwood today, I'm hoping that the consensus is that Norwood is changing for the better.

While Norwood can't yet be thought of as a "diverse suburb," it's gradually becoming a more mixed community.  Just check out who is renting in its largest apt. complexes (especially those bordering Pleasant Ridge) and note the diversity of the tenants.  Also visit its Surrey Sq. Kroger's and you'll discover one of the largest and most diverse food stores in the entire city.  Yes, I'm well aware that most of the black Kroger patrons travel from Evanston and Avondale, but there was a time not too long ago when black Cincinnatians feared for their lives if they dared cross Dana Ave. into Norwood from the south.  While I cannot (and should not) speak for how blacks feel about Norwood today, I'm hoping that the consensus is that Norwood is changing for the better.

 

That's interesting. Why though? I keep getting relatively similar answers from people, but it seems like no one can give a concrete answer as to why. It's not like it is expensive to live in Norwood, so you would think the area would be more diverse; especially given the fact that Norwood is situated in one of the best locations of Cincinnati IMO along with its proximity to Xavier.

I had the pleasure of calling Norwood home for a few years while attending Xavier.  And while Norwood is definitely a working class, mostly white neighborhood, I've never heard about it having any sort of racial tension.  I certainly didn't witness anything of that nature.  If you're just working in Norwood I wouldn't worry about it at all.

 

The worst thing about Norwood is the semi-functioning municipal government, and police force right out of Reno 911 (including the guy who wears a bullet proof vest all the time).

^I'm not worried or anything at all. That kind of stuff doesn't bother me. If I had not been told by some people that there is supposedly some kind of racial tension there, I would have never known. I feel like most of the people who say or feel that they should not go to certain areas are the ones who let confimation bias cloud their way of thinking. It might sound brash, but frankly, I'll go anywhere I feel like going. It's a free and diverse country.

 

Btw, we joked about the guys wearing bullet proof vests. If anything, I would expect that from CPD.

While Norwood can't yet be thought of as a "diverse suburb," it's gradually becoming a more mixed community.  Just check out who is renting in its largest apt. complexes (especially those bordering Pleasant Ridge) and note the diversity of the tenants.  Also visit its Surrey Sq. Kroger's and you'll discover one of the largest and most diverse food stores in the entire city.  Yes, I'm well aware that most of the black Kroger patrons travel from Evanston and Avondale, but there was a time not too long ago when black Cincinnatians feared for their lives if they dared cross Dana Ave. into Norwood from the south.  While I cannot (and should not) speak for how blacks feel about Norwood today, I'm hoping that the consensus is that Norwood is changing for the better.

 

That's interesting. Why though? I keep getting relatively similar answers from people, but it seems like no one can give a concrete answer as to why.

 

You answered your own question:

 

There also seems to be an abundance of “hillbilly” and “white trash types” there. From my observations, a large portion of Norwood’s populace consists of obese and frumpy white women and big, tattooed, blue collar guys.

 

Black folks don't care for the "hillbilly" blue-collar majority white areas for obvious historical reasons.  Downriver Detroit, East Dayton, Lower Price Hill (and Norwood) in Cincinnati, Bridgeport in Chicago, Southie in Boston, Bensonhurst in Brooklyn, almost the entire state of Kentucky, the majority of Pennsylvania, etc.  Some areas "folks" just know not where to cross to feel uncomfortable.  Much like when white people get nervous driving through the West End or Avondale.

 

Why?  Human nature.

Norwood has a reputation for being hillbilly. That said, I am not aware of any racially motivated incidents at least in recent history. I spend a lot of time in neighboring Bond Hill and although Bond Hill may be a little rough in spots it feels safe enough.

 

Cincinnati had a pretty serious race riot in the 1960's along with many other American cities. The story goes that a barrier was made at the southern border between Cincinnati and Norwood to keep the riots from spreading into Norwood.

 

The other big event in Norwood was when the GM plant closed in 1985 or so, instantly laying off thousands and sparking a chain reaction as parts suppliers and associated services all closed. Norwood hasn't really recovered from that event even today.

 

The Cincinnati race riots flared up again in 2001, but in my humble opinion the riots were more about troublemakers taking advantage of a bad situation with some racial undertones rather than a full-scale racial conflict like the earlier riots. 

 

Nearby St. Bernard has a similar situation to Norwood demographically.

 

Norwood rather famously stopped early MLK marches with the aid of the local police. Even during the '01 riots, the Norwood cops were stationed quite heavily armed at the city limits. The city was long a 'urban Appalachian' migrant center, though it has changed a lot in the last 20 years (more areas have become Hyde Park and PRidge-near, while a lot of the working class whites - Appalachian and Catholic (around Holy Trinity) have left.

As Eighth and State just mentioned, the GM closing in the early 1980's crushed Norwood (and even crippled Cincinnati).  And as mentioned, job openings there were filled immediately by blue-color workers from everywhere.  Now all you have to do is go skyward on Google Maps/Earth to witness the ghostly and sad imprint of where the GM complex once existed--even today, several decades later, it's still painful to see where it all once was.  Norwood is struggling to fill some of the emptyness with service-oriented jobs--and to a certain extent they have had some success. ( Just look at the busy intersections at Sherman/Montgomery/Smith Rds., etc)  And, as also mentioned--and I'm hoping urban-loving people everywhere will recognize this--Norwood has location, location, location! It sits next to so many valued retailers to its NE/East that I simply hesitate to try to list them all here.  Yet, back to the original concern--will Norwood ever become "diverse" and be considered a safe residential community for everyone.  The answer to this is "yes," and the transformation is already under way. (And what XU is accomplishing in SW Norwood is simply phenomenal!)

Norwood definitely hit a low point through the '91 recession, but by the mid-90s things were already improving with the opening of Rookwood and the building of the office parks on the old GM land. Unfortunately, Cincy Playing Card left recently. The industrial suburb aspect of Norwood is more or less dead with Siemens being the last big player.

Btw, where was the GM plant located in Norwood? I find it very fascinating that Camaros were manufactured right here in the area. I'm embarrassed to admit that I never knew such a big part of GM was located in Norwood until I created this thread. I'd imagine the dynamics of Norwood were a lot different back when the plant was bustling.

HHS78--the GM Assembly plant was a rectangle bordered by Montgomery Rd.to the west, the Norwood Lateral (562) to the north, Forest Ave. to the east, and Sherman/Smith Rds. and Park Ave. to the south.  In its peak in the early 1970s, it employed almost 9,000 and near its mid 1980s closing it still managed to employ 4,200.  When its very last Chevy Camaro rolled off the line on August 26, 1987, the event devastated the city so badly that the day became known as "Black Wednesday." (almost 35% of Norwood's taxes vanished)

There were also a number of parking lots serving the plant along the northside of the Lateral (where the theater used to be and where much of the new development is going in now.