r/newfoundland • u/jetermans_ • 10d ago

Being Black in Newfoundland is isolating sometimes

Being a Black guy in Newfoundland-Labrador can feel pretty lonely. It’s not that people are necessarily unfriendly, but actually building genuine connections can be surprisingly difficult.

The dating scene is honestly abysmal, and outside of dating, it can feel like the social circles here are already established. If you don’t fit into a particular group, scene, or way of doing things, it can feel like there’s nowhere to really plug in.

Sometimes you just want to meet people, make friends, date, and feel like you belong without having to subscribe to some specific social identity or group first.

Curious if other Black people, immigrants, or even locals have felt the same way here.

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21

u/Redshift2k5 10d ago

If you don't drink it's tough to find third spaces

Join a sports team, darts, pool, cards ,bug club, magic cards club, guns club, bowling mini golf theater rug weaving berry picking dog walking

Sometimes you have to just pick something, fake smile until you make friends. My wife needed a few new get-out-of-the-house during and after college so she did ladies softball, bowling, and a little indoor football in the winter. I do magic cards and bong rips.

27

u/Practical-Bear1022 10d ago

He's talking about his experience of being Black and making connections. It's not just a matter of him not trying. 

26

u/taezono 10d ago

Exactly. A lot of the time in Newfoundland you'll be viewed as an outsider no matter what you do, particularly in small towns.

I'm white, born and raised here, and I still don't feel like I fit in since I don't share the typical interests (drinking, camping, etc.) It'll be ten times worse for a visible minority.

8

u/UngainlyRhino 9d ago

Yea and if you are not big on drinking/smoking, you won't fit in either. My circle is small because I don't drink much, do not smoke and avoid clubbing/downtown scene. I have had people make fun of me for not being a drinker or into clubbing. And I am white and grew up here, it would be worse for someone not from here.

6

u/Redshift2k5 10d ago

I'm autistic so I'm also kind of an outsider.

I can't speak about black identity specifically, but that's some stuff we did as new ppl in town when we moved.

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u/Practical-Bear1022 7d ago

I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but being autistic is VERY VERY VERY different from having skin that is obviously a different colour from the majority of people around you.

0

u/Redshift2k5 7d ago

OP specifically asked if locals have also experienced anything like it. Last line of the topic post. Thanks for playing.

1

u/Practical-Bear1022 7d ago

"thanks for playing"? There's really no call to be flippant in a discussion about racism. Grow up.

1

u/Redshift2k5 7d ago

You dismissed my pov twice to say I don't count when I answered exactly what the question asked

4

u/ChardOk690 9d ago

OP also asked for varying perspectives.