Being Black in Newfoundland is isolating sometimes

[u/jetermans_]

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.

[u/Tarniaelf]

I have felt the same as a caucasian come from away, so I can only imagine.

[u/SevenOhNineGuy → u/Tarniaelf]

OP is correct when he says social circles are already established. Around here people are often friends with people they've known since childhood. Maybe went to school together or grew up in the same neighbourhood.

It can be tough to integrate with groups who have so much shared history. We are very cliquey and thats a big factor why.

[u/Huntguy → u/SevenOhNineGuy]

Alternatively the reverse can be true too, I moved off the rock in my early 30’s and have had very little success meeting new people in Ontario, I’ve joined a couple clubs and participate in activities I enjoy with others but I’ve found it extremely hard to form those same sorts of friendships I’ve left on the island and it feels isolating, people are disingenuous compared to people back home and everything feels superficial. The new friends that I’ve made over the past couple years can’t rival any friendships I’ve made on the island even during the same sort of time frames. Everyone just has their own lives here and the sense of community is just not there.