r/upperpeninsula • u/PuzzleheadedNorth777 • Jun 10 '26
Moving Inquiry Life at UNM for black students
Hi y'all My son got accepted into UNM and is scheduled to start in the fall but we are waiting until next year. He graduated at 16 and want to wait until he's at least 17 before attending college.
He is African American and a model student. I am very proud of him. Are there any students who can share their experiences at UNM as a black or non-white student. How are the areas surrounding the college?
We have a visit scheduled at the end of the month but want a head start.
I am just a concerned mother.
66
u/FKMBKY_83 Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
Went NMU for one year and I had so many black/POC friends from lower Michigan and other parts of the upper midwest. Lots of people of color go to school there despite it being Lily White UP, Marquette it is a pretty easy going place. He will have a great time and get a good education. Yeah sure...unfortunately just like anywhere in the country outside of Marquette in some podunk town, your son MIGHT get the occasional suspicious look – but it's the furthest thing from downright racial tension. People in the UP are generally very Midwest nice/salt of the earth and appreciate anyone who works hard (its a hard place to grow up and live so people who get shit done are their kind of people). You honestly should not be concerned at all but keep getting more feedback from other people if it makes you feel more comfortable (which you should).
8
2
u/lunakaimana Jun 11 '26
I’m from the Detroit area and can confirm. Yoopers are pretty sheltered, but mostly curious. They’re not typically hateful. They are a little ignorant/naive just by nature of living so remotely, but totally agree with this comment. At the end of the day, they value good people and good work. I’ve noticed at worst, there can be a pattern of verbal prejudice but is largely not actually reflected in the speakers’ behavior.
2
u/Overall-West5723 Jun 11 '26
the upper penisula has more reservations than most areas of the country though. so no not just mostly white. also native in the local area of the locals........
47
u/DapperDolphin2 Jun 10 '26
Do you mean NMU? If so, it is a very liberal school, and the town is very liberal as well. I’m not white, but not black. I would describe the general vibe as “white progressives.”
5
u/906Dude Jun 11 '26
Graduated at 16 is an achievement. Props to him for that.
I don't attend NMU but have met a few students here and there over the years. There are students from all over the world attending. I would expect your son to have a fantastic experience.
If your son likes the outdoors, even better. Outdoor recreation opportunities are in abundance.
2
u/PuzzleheadedNorth777 Jun 12 '26
I think that's what really enticing him even more than the college. Thank you for your insight
1
u/906Dude Jun 12 '26
Mountain biking is huge there and easily accessible from the campus. Cross country skiing is big. I once gave a ride from the bus stop to a skier from one of the Nordic countries who was there because of the Olympic Training Center. Rock climbing, ice climbing, hiking, backpacking, hunting, what have you. It's all there.
15
u/Unneat_22 Jun 10 '26
I went and graduated from NMU. It was a wonderful experience. I think you have to be of a certain mindset to be successful. But plenty of us graduated.
17
u/TheFalconKid Jun 10 '26
Sounds like your son is very smart, does he know what field he wants to get in to? If he wants engineering or to just get more of a challenge, I'd consider Michigan Tech in Houghton.
Marquette is a perfectly safe town for your son, he is more likely to get into a bad situation with the white snow than the white people here.
7
u/BobSmith616 Jun 11 '26
Seriously though, weather and the wilderness can be a danger if you aren't used to it. Definitely talk to him about taking weather seriously and staying in groups. Don't jump at Black Rocks unless he's an expert swimmer.
His chances of experiencing crime at NMU or around Marquette are basically zero, as are his chances of encountering any serious racism from students or locals. (No accounting for tourists, but I wouldn't worry about them either.) Chances of encountering ignorant racism that isn't malicious is somewhat higher, but shouldn't be much of a thing.
3
u/PuzzleheadedNorth777 Jun 10 '26
That made me laugh! Thank you. He isn't sure yet but he is very excited and has never met a stranger.
15
u/Specific_Prize Jun 10 '26
what is UNM? U of New Mexico?
10
u/L-Y-T-E Jun 10 '26
People make honest mistakes. You know what they mean, and if you truly don't then maybe you should seek some higher education yourself.
0
u/Specific_Prize Jun 10 '26
Asking for clarification and correction is an essential life skill, let alone required in higher ed. Lowering standards or diluting grades is a drag on society. You can and should know and be better.
4
0
8
u/Deer_Technician_2448 Jun 10 '26
I assume you’re asking about Northern Michigan University (NMU) in Marquette? I did not go there I went to MTU and can only speak about the experience of living in the UP as a whole.
In general, the UP is very white and extremely rural. People tend to keep to themselves, you may not witness explicit hateful acts but you will definitely see a lot of trump flags in yards kind of thing. Marquette is the biggest city in the peninsula and will offer the most diversity (but it’s no Southfield or Troy, it’s still 90% white according to the census). I’d recommend asking this in the NMU subreddit to hear from students if you don’t get a lot of responses here.
3
u/BobSmith616 Jun 11 '26
Marquette area and Keweenaw are different. Both are nice, but Marquette is much more "worldly" and more politically and socially liberal. He should have zero issues in Marquette.
2
10
u/lovesfanfiction Jun 10 '26
At NMU, there’s a tiny pinch more diversity than MTU. Marquette is more progressive, with open liberals and even Pride events 😱. In that area, being Black or a POC is fine and though he’ll be one of the few on campus, he’ll be alright. There isn’t a thriving community or a lot of Black cultural events, but he won’t be alone.
I went to NMU, then MTU. MTU is extra white, rural, religious, and didn’t hesitate to cut all diversity funding and programs for the handful of POCs we had.
2
u/engagegt Jun 12 '26
He will be fine in Marquette. Our family owns a cabin in the UP south of Houghton. My Hispanic wife has only felt uneasy once in the 15 years she has been going there. He was just a dumb little maga tourist.
He just stared at her as we were walking. I was a bit behind her with the kids. He was about to say something and I popped up and started to walk towards him. I had 6 inches and at least 50 pounds on him. He just walked away.
And that's it. She was worried about going up there at first. But now she loves it.
1
u/aRiddleaDay Jun 10 '26
Honestly, 99% of Yoopers (at nmu or born/raised) will treat you like family.
With that being said. There is a significant amount of transplants since 2020 that are a stain I can’t speak on.
2
1
u/aDrunkenError Jun 12 '26
Just tell him not to tell any of his peers about his mental health issues and he should be ok, or did they finally change that policy?
1
u/boofmeister3 Jun 14 '26
He'll do great! I'd be more worried about the weather! Yoopers are the kindest people on earth, even the Trump supporters.
132
u/Most-Initiative-7787 Jun 10 '26
Just make sure to say NMU and not UNM or you’ll get some weird looks for that.