Racist America?

[HAL 9000 96]

The Law should be clear as water so that anyone violating it based on color discrimination can suffer the ramifications. This can only come about once we can say as a society that all have equal access to its protections- which is not the case at this point in time but is a day closer each 24 hours gone.

[PlatyPius 5]

Having lived in both cities and rural, podunk towns, I have to say that in my experience, the people in the cities are more racist. Keeping in mind that I'm talking about smaller cities of 750,000 - 1.5 million people.

My opinion is that it's a matter of assimilation. In the small towns that I've lived in, including where I currently live, the people of other races/nationalities live, work, dress (for the most part), and act like everyone else. They are accepted as part of the group and not "different". In cities, blacks, hispanics, koreans, or whatever tend to live together in neighbourhoods, work for/with members of their own race more, dress differently (especially with blacks in the city - at least the more visible ones), and they tend to be more likely to be in gangs. As such, they are seen as different and therefore scary.

I grew up in small town Indiana. There was very little racism here (although there is a lot of it south of us in Martinsville). I didn't really experience racism until I moved to Indianapolis. When I lived out west, there wasn't much as far as racism in the small towns I lived in in Wyoming and Colorado. There was in Denver, however.

This is all just my opinion. I don't claim to have any answers about it. I've just noticed personally that it seems to be less of a problem (in the northern states, at least) in towns where everyone lives together and there's greater integration in all parts of life.

Edited November 3, 2008 by PlatyPius

[panamania79 2]

I would really like to know what % of the US population do you consider to be racist? I'm really not sure. I was born in the '70's, so I have seen alot. Has America finally changed? I have my doubts. I certainly haven't seen it (racism) on VJ

Do you have friends outside of your race? And don't say...I work with...., or my neighbor is....., I mean how many of you actually hang out with people who are culturally different than you, and not just our spouse? Just curious.

I 'm cool with everyone, but I must admit I have my stereotypes, but they tend to diminish as I get to know the "person" and not the race.

Racism is alive and kicking in the USA.

[*JG* 2]

I would really like to know what % of the US population do you consider to be racist? I'm really not sure. I was born in the '70's, so I have seen alot. Has America finally changed? I have my doubts. I certainly haven't seen it (racism) on VJ

Do you have friends outside of your race? And don't say...I work with...., or my neighbor is....., I mean how many of you actually hang out with people who are culturally different than you, and not just our spouse? Just curious.

I 'm cool with everyone, but I must admit I have my stereotypes, but they tend to diminish as I get to know the "person" and not the race.

I think America has changed.

I have no issues with race at all.

[HAL 9000 96]

Having lived in both cities and rural, podunk towns, I have to say that in my experience, the people in the cities are more racist. Keeping in mind that I'm talking about smaller cities of 750,000 - 1.5 million people.

My opinion is that it's a matter of assimilation. In the small towns that I've lived in, including where I currently live, the people of other races/nationalities live, work, dress (for the most part), and act like everyone else. They are accepted as part of the group and not "different". In cities, blacks, hispanics, koreans, or whatever tend to live together in neighbourhoods, work for/with members of their own race more, dress differently (especially with blacks in the city - at least the more visible ones), and they tend to be more likely to be in gangs. As such, they are seen as different and therefore scary.

I grew up in small town Indiana. There was very little racism here (although there is a lot of it south of us in Martinsville). I didn't really experience racism until I moved to Indianapolis. When I lived out west, there wasn't much as far as racism in the small towns I lived in in Wyoming and Colorado. There was in Denver, however.

This is all just my opinion. I don't claim to have any answers about it. I've just noticed personally that it seems to be less of a problem (in the northern states, at least) in towns where everyone lives together and there's greater integration in all parts of life.

Most likely a matter of probabilities. Smaller towns have less people, so most likely less of a chance that stupidity will be found. Similarly, the more chances of having people confront members of various races, the higher the chances that people's intolerances would be expressed. Hopefully you can agree though that even in smaller metropolitan areas, the attitude problem that is racism is diminishing. I think that your observations are reflective of at least that part. Even in Indiana, with all its history of being a magnet for Klan members and all.

[IAMX 3,055]

Having lived in both cities and rural, podunk towns, I have to say that in my experience, the people in the cities are more racist. Keeping in mind that I'm talking about smaller cities of 750,000 - 1.5 million people.

My opinion is that it's a matter of assimilation. In the small towns that I've lived in, including where I currently live, the people of other races/nationalities live, work, dress (for the most part), and act like everyone else. They are accepted as part of the group and not "different". In cities, blacks, hispanics, koreans, or whatever tend to live together in neighbourhoods, work for/with members of their own race more, dress differently (especially with blacks in the city - at least the more visible ones), and they tend to be more likely to be in gangs. As such, they are seen as different and therefore scary.

I grew up in small town Indiana. There was very little racism here (although there is a lot of it south of us in Martinsville). I didn't really experience racism until I moved to Indianapolis. When I lived out west, there wasn't much as far as racism in the small towns I lived in in Wyoming and Colorado. There was in Denver, however.

This is all just my opinion. I don't claim to have any answers about it. I've just noticed personally that it seems to be less of a problem (in the northern states, at least) in towns where everyone lives together and there's greater integration in all parts of life.

Most likely a matter of probabilities. Smaller towns have less people, so most likely less of a chance that stupidity will be found. Similarly, the more chances of having people confront members of various races, the higher the chances that people's intolerances would be expressed. Hopefully you can agree though that even in smaller metropolitan areas, the attitude problem that is racism is diminishing. I think that your observations are reflective of at least that part. Even in Indiana, with all its history of being a magnet for Klan members and all.

Indeed. It is entirely normal for people to socially segregate themselves, which is fine and okay, but the definition of racism comes into play in how they deal with other races when the time comes. Here in the Bay Area (well, except the East Bay) racism really isn't a problem.

[rebeccajo 14]

Having lived in both cities and rural, podunk towns, I have to say that in my experience, the people in the cities are more racist. Keeping in mind that I'm talking about smaller cities of 750,000 - 1.5 million people.

My opinion is that it's a matter of assimilation. In the small towns that I've lived in, including where I currently live, the people of other races/nationalities live, work, dress (for the most part), and act like everyone else. They are accepted as part of the group and not "different". In cities, blacks, hispanics, koreans, or whatever tend to live together in neighbourhoods, work for/with members of their own race more, dress differently (especially with blacks in the city - at least the more visible ones), and they tend to be more likely to be in gangs. As such, they are seen as different and therefore scary.

I grew up in small town Indiana. There was very little racism here (although there is a lot of it south of us in Martinsville). I didn't really experience racism until I moved to Indianapolis. When I lived out west, there wasn't much as far as racism in the small towns I lived in in Wyoming and Colorado. There was in Denver, however.

This is all just my opinion. I don't claim to have any answers about it. I've just noticed personally that it seems to be less of a problem (in the northern states, at least) in towns where everyone lives together and there's greater integration in all parts of life.

And then you have areas of the country (like WV where I am from) where there really just isn't much ethnicity. It's mostly white folk. Especially in the very rural areas.

Some people call bigotry 'ignorance'. I'm not defending bigotry, but in my experience it isn't always as simple as intellectual ignorance. It's ignorance due to not being exposed to other cultures; to not living next door or the next block even with those of other races. It's not working with blacks/asians/latinos - not going to school with them.

[HAL 9000 96]

Having lived in both cities and rural, podunk towns, I have to say that in my experience, the people in the cities are more racist. Keeping in mind that I'm talking about smaller cities of 750,000 - 1.5 million people.

My opinion is that it's a matter of assimilation. In the small towns that I've lived in, including where I currently live, the people of other races/nationalities live, work, dress (for the most part), and act like everyone else. They are accepted as part of the group and not "different". In cities, blacks, hispanics, koreans, or whatever tend to live together in neighbourhoods, work for/with members of their own race more, dress differently (especially with blacks in the city - at least the more visible ones), and they tend to be more likely to be in gangs. As such, they are seen as different and therefore scary.

I grew up in small town Indiana. There was very little racism here (although there is a lot of it south of us in Martinsville). I didn't really experience racism until I moved to Indianapolis. When I lived out west, there wasn't much as far as racism in the small towns I lived in in Wyoming and Colorado. There was in Denver, however.

This is all just my opinion. I don't claim to have any answers about it. I've just noticed personally that it seems to be less of a problem (in the northern states, at least) in towns where everyone lives together and there's greater integration in all parts of life.

Most likely a matter of probabilities. Smaller towns have less people, so most likely less of a chance that stupidity will be found. Similarly, the more chances of having people confront members of various races, the higher the chances that people's intolerances would be expressed. Hopefully you can agree though that even in smaller metropolitan areas, the attitude problem that is racism is diminishing. I think that your observations are reflective of at least that part. Even in Indiana, with all its history of being a magnet for Klan members and all.

Indeed. It is entirely normal for people to socially segregate themselves, which is fine and okay, but the definition of racism comes into play in how they deal with other races when the time comes. Here in the Bay Area (well, except the East Bay) racism really isn't a problem.

Chicago is probably one of the most racially/culturally segregated cities on the planet. It makes for good times (excellent eating options, shopping, etc) and for bad times (racial crimes at times, criminal activity when accumulation of historically marginalized groups reaches a critical point and there is a lack of sufficient alternatives- real or perceived).

[Alli and Léo 0]

I think the country is more racist than what people are willing to think. I am "white" and my spouse is "black" but I never really noticed the color difference in our skins....just a little bit of background...I'm not racist but...I see the news channel interviewing "black" men and asking them who they are voting for (Obama) and why (1st black president to stand up for their rights). Isn't the president suppose to lead the entire nation not just blacks or white? A lot of people vote based on race rather than policy...sad. I know the same goes for McCain also. However, then there is the fact that there are schools specifically for "blacks" and scholarships for "blacks". If this were true for the "whites" then it would be called segregation or predjudice...so why is it ok for all of the "minority" races. Are we not all human beings? I thought slavery had been abolished...long before my generation...so why are the innocent still paying for the consequences? Still...the "white" presidents cater to the "minority"...do the "majority" not also have rights? Why do we even have to track the race of a person on applications and such. Why can't we all be treated equally?

Edited November 3, 2008 by Alli and Léo

[mRx 16]

It WAS legal, that's why people who practiced it were not technically criminals back then. So you can't say it was unconstitutional before it WAS unconstitutional. They can't be criminals now either because ex post facto laws aren't legal too.

It was always unconstitutional. The Supreme Court needs to dismiss such unconstitutional laws hastily. I won't deny that. Not one bit. But new laws don't need to be enacted to uphold the constitution. The constitution is the blood of our freedom. It belongs to the people. It cannot and should not be usurped by the government.

These laws do not create instant acceptance. It would be folly to suggest any major Constitutional amendment was accepted by the masses right off the bat. However, in the case with blacks, they could not vote. In the case with women, they could not vote. It was very clear, and maybe it needs to be beaten into your head, that the Equal Protection Clause was not good enough to prevent these (white) people from annihilating the "God given" rights of every man, woman, gay, etc. AND, it's occurring now, too. Like you, I think it SHOULDN'T require an amendment, but shouldnt's and reality don't always match up. Hence why you need to let go some of your idealism and stop thinking today is the same as 40-150 years ago.

The constitution was amended by Congress so that blacks and women could vote. Constitutional amendments are a completely legitimate type of reform. Laws do not need to be enacted merely to uphold the constitution. I highly doubt that was the intention of the Framers. The constitution is supreme law. The government didn't grant us these rights, those who defeated the English in battle did.

We are merely opposite sides of the same coin, SRVT. We disagree in method, but agree in principle.

The framers could not conceive of every issue overlooked in the Constitution, which is why it needed to be amended, however, laws are like unofficial amendments to it. SHOULD we need laws allowing gay marriage? Well, striking down gay marriage bans should be de facto marriage. On the other hand, to prevent these constant shifts of repeatedly banning gay marriage, it needs to be Constitutionally addressed, as the Constitution does not explicitly provide these rights, which is why it's being left up to the states, and which is why it's being struck down in federal courts.

The Constitution did not explicitly provide blacks and women certain rights, so it had to be addressed. Affirmative Action SHOULD be made into law because there are always going to be people to TRY to find a way to use race as a means to prevent another race from having the same freedoms. The only difference I see is college scholarship and grants be based entirely on merit, rather than giving these extraordinarily lopsided scholarships and aid to minorities first and foremost.

Everything should be based on individual merit. Not just scholarships.

Presently, we have many laws that are blatantly oppressing minorities, creating inequality. These laws need to be reversed, not new legislation passed in an attempt to balance it out. That only makes America less free.

War on Drugs is a perfect example. Are minorities the only citizens that use drugs? They seem to be the ones incarcerated the most, not offered intervention, charged with felonies, and served mandatory minimum sentences. All the while, drugs today are cheaper, higher quality, and more abundant than ever before. We don't need new laws, we need to get rid of the useless, unconstitutional ones that are needlessly destroying families.

[HAL 9000 96]

I think the country is more racist than what people are willing to think. I am "white" and my spouse is "black" but I never really noticed the color difference in our skins....just a little bit of background...I'm not racist but...I see the news channel interviewing "black" men and asking them who they are voting for (Obama) and why (1st black president to stand up for their rights). Isn't the president suppose to lead the entire nation not just blacks or white? A lot of people vote based on race rather than policy...sad. I know the same goes for McCain also. However, then there is the fact that there are schools specifically for "blacks" and scholarships for "blacks". If this were true for the "whites" then it would be called segregation or predjudice...so why is it ok for all of the "minority" races. Are we not all human beings? I thought slavery had been abolished...long before my generation...so why are the innocent still paying for the consequences? Still...the "white" presidents cater to the "minority"...do the "majority" not also have rights? Why do we even have to track the race of a person on applications and such. Why can't we all be treated equally?

Because history has produced savage inequalities in how people can access opportunity and upwards mobility much like in many other parts of the planet.

[IAMX 3,055]

Having lived in both cities and rural, podunk towns, I have to say that in my experience, the people in the cities are more racist. Keeping in mind that I'm talking about smaller cities of 750,000 - 1.5 million people.

My opinion is that it's a matter of assimilation. In the small towns that I've lived in, including where I currently live, the people of other races/nationalities live, work, dress (for the most part), and act like everyone else. They are accepted as part of the group and not "different". In cities, blacks, hispanics, koreans, or whatever tend to live together in neighbourhoods, work for/with members of their own race more, dress differently (especially with blacks in the city - at least the more visible ones), and they tend to be more likely to be in gangs. As such, they are seen as different and therefore scary.

I grew up in small town Indiana. There was very little racism here (although there is a lot of it south of us in Martinsville). I didn't really experience racism until I moved to Indianapolis. When I lived out west, there wasn't much as far as racism in the small towns I lived in in Wyoming and Colorado. There was in Denver, however.

This is all just my opinion. I don't claim to have any answers about it. I've just noticed personally that it seems to be less of a problem (in the northern states, at least) in towns where everyone lives together and there's greater integration in all parts of life.

Most likely a matter of probabilities. Smaller towns have less people, so most likely less of a chance that stupidity will be found. Similarly, the more chances of having people confront members of various races, the higher the chances that people's intolerances would be expressed. Hopefully you can agree though that even in smaller metropolitan areas, the attitude problem that is racism is diminishing. I think that your observations are reflective of at least that part. Even in Indiana, with all its history of being a magnet for Klan members and all.

Indeed. It is entirely normal for people to socially segregate themselves, which is fine and okay, but the definition of racism comes into play in how they deal with other races when the time comes. Here in the Bay Area (well, except the East Bay) racism really isn't a problem.

Chicago is probably one of the most racially/culturally segregated cities on the planet. It makes for good times (excellent eating options, shopping, etc) and for bad times (racial crimes at times, criminal activity when accumulation of historically marginalized groups reaches a critical point and there is a lack of sufficient alternatives- real or perceived).

We're also extremely diverse in the Bay Area, and like all metropolitan areas in the U.S., there are pockets of bad areas. Here, the crime toilets are considered to be East Palo Alto and the East Bay (Oakland area). Almost all of the Peninsula area (San Mateo, Millbrae, Redwood City, Belmont, Mountain View, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay) is very low in crime. The city is well, the city.

Edited November 3, 2008 by SRVT

[mRx 16]

I think the country is more racist than what people are willing to think. I am "white" and my spouse is "black" but I never really noticed the color difference in our skins....just a little bit of background...I'm not racist but...I see the news channel interviewing "black" men and asking them who they are voting for (Obama) and why (1st black president to stand up for their rights). Isn't the president suppose to lead the entire nation not just blacks or white? A lot of people vote based on race rather than policy...sad. I know the same goes for McCain also. However, then there is the fact that there are schools specifically for "blacks" and scholarships for "blacks". If this were true for the "whites" then it would be called segregation or predjudice...so why is it ok for all of the "minority" races. Are we not all human beings? I thought slavery had been abolished...long before my generation...so why are the innocent still paying for the consequences? Still...the "white" presidents cater to the "minority"...do the "majority" not also have rights? Why do we even have to track the race of a person on applications and such. Why can't we all be treated equally?

Because history has produced savage inequalities in how people can access opportunity and upwards mobility much like in many other parts of the planet.

Such inequalities are perpetuated by men in $5000 suits, not society.

[rebeccajo 14]

I think the country is more racist than what people are willing to think. I am "white" and my spouse is "black" but I never really noticed the color difference in our skins....just a little bit of background...I'm not racist but...I see the news channel interviewing "black" men and asking them who they are voting for (Obama) and why (1st black president to stand up for their rights). Isn't the president suppose to lead the entire nation not just blacks or white? A lot of people vote based on race rather than policy...sad. I know the same goes for McCain also. However, then there is the fact that there are schools specifically for "blacks" and scholarships for "blacks". If this were true for the "whites" then it would be called segregation or predjudice...so why is it ok for all of the "minority" races. Are we not all human beings? I thought slavery had been abolished...long before my generation...so why are the innocent still paying for the consequences? Still...the "white" presidents cater to the "minority"...do the "majority" not also have rights? Why do we even have to track the race of a person on applications and such. Why can't we all be treated equally?

Because history has produced savage inequalities in how people can access opportunity and upwards mobility much like in many other parts of the planet.

Such inequalities are perpetuated by men in $5000 suits, not society.

I don't think so Matt. I really don't.

It takes a long time for society to 'change'. The black man was originally property here. As the waves of immigrants have arrived, they entered society on the lowest levels of employment.

It takes generations for ideas, concepts and stereotypes to fade. I don't think money has much to do with it.

[*JG* 2]

Having lived in both cities and rural, podunk towns, I have to say that in my experience, the people in the cities are more racist. Keeping in mind that I'm talking about smaller cities of 750,000 - 1.5 million people.

My opinion is that it's a matter of assimilation. In the small towns that I've lived in, including where I currently live, the people of other races/nationalities live, work, dress (for the most part), and act like everyone else. They are accepted as part of the group and not "different". In cities, blacks, hispanics, koreans, or whatever tend to live together in neighbourhoods, work for/with members of their own race more, dress differently (especially with blacks in the city - at least the more visible ones), and they tend to be more likely to be in gangs. As such, they are seen as different and therefore scary.

I grew up in small town Indiana. There was very little racism here (although there is a lot of it south of us in Martinsville). I didn't really experience racism until I moved to Indianapolis. When I lived out west, there wasn't much as far as racism in the small towns I lived in in Wyoming and Colorado. There was in Denver, however.

This is all just my opinion. I don't claim to have any answers about it. I've just noticed personally that it seems to be less of a problem (in the northern states, at least) in towns where everyone lives together and there's greater integration in all parts of life.

Most likely a matter of probabilities. Smaller towns have less people, so most likely less of a chance that stupidity will be found. Similarly, the more chances of having people confront members of various races, the higher the chances that people's intolerances would be expressed. Hopefully you can agree though that even in smaller metropolitan areas, the attitude problem that is racism is diminishing. I think that your observations are reflective of at least that part. Even in Indiana, with all its history of being a magnet for Klan members and all.

Indeed. It is entirely normal for people to socially segregate themselves, which is fine and okay, but the definition of racism comes into play in how they deal with other races when the time comes. Here in the Bay Area (well, except the East Bay) racism really isn't a problem.

Chicago is probably one of the most racially/culturally segregated cities on the planet. It makes for good times (excellent eating options, shopping, etc) and for bad times (racial crimes at times, criminal activity when accumulation of historically marginalized groups reaches a critical point and there is a lack of sufficient alternatives- real or perceived).

I would say the same about St. Louis.