Is Diversity Over Emphasized By Some? (Atlanta, Roswell: private schools, contractors, standard of living)

[gt6974a]

Originally Posted by willdufauve

"America." for simplicity, genocided the native Americans and Hawaiians, stole the southwest at the point of a gun, built the country with slavery, unfairly enriched themselves with Jim Crow, and has meddled in the legitimate affairs of brown people around the world from the Philippines, to Nicaragua, to the middle east.

In America, white people have always called the shots. Some white people resent that they're not calling the shots unilaterally anymore. There are laws now that hope to prevent segregation, discrimination, and lynching, so all the white people can do is give dirty looks, gossip, complain and trash diversity.

The world is mostly non-white, non-English speaking, and non-Christian. It's better to get used to it. Adapt and ride the wave, or watch your children and grandchildren fall further and further behind, and out of the loop.

...thank you for clarifying my comments above!

[Merin]

Diversity is an important issue to some(including me) when looking to buy a house, one of the biggest investments in your life. Who are any of us to say someone is over-emphasizing any issue that someone thinks is important when making such a big investment. I personally value diversity because I find those who live in such areas have a broader view of the world. The stereotyping taking place in this thread is rarely expressed by those who live in a more diverse environment.

[Motion]

^
Yes diversity is a good thing. I just take issue with those who seem to want to hold it against a city or town because it's not diverse enough. Some cities and towns can't help that they aren't diverse like a San Francisco or NYC. Not every city or town is going to have a perfect mix of diversity representing all races and ethnicities.

[SoFlaMom]

Diversity cannot be overemphasized enough... when you have young children who can't defend themselves against racial biases and discrimination. Only those with young children who do not fit the WASP profile will understand this. You can't make a move in life without wondering how a new environment will affect your children. Just because you personally aren't rascist, doesn't mean 100,000 other people aren't. And people can be cruel... even to young children. It is a parent's most important duty to make sure they live somewhere where their children are treated fairly. It's really hard to understand this when you're white.

[jessiesma]

we're not all WASPS. I had classmates ask me seriously if Italians were white. This was in the NYC area. I hated playing with dolls because they were all blond and blue eyed. How could they possible be my babies? Barbie? Barbie???? Ugh! Some neurotic white guy's idea of femininity. I wanted to be Gina Lolobrigida However, my parents didn't move to Little Italy, they taught me that life is unfair and that there are a whole lot of stupid, mean and ugly people in this world. Some are just ignorant and can learn. My job wss to grow to be the best person I could be, treat everyone with respect and when I didn't get it walk away.

Sometimes tho' my color blindness had gotten me in trouble, like when I actually "forgot" I was talking with a black friend because she was in the other room. I asked a stupid question about suntans that wouldn't happened if I'd had the visual reminder of who I was speaking with. She was my friend. I wasn't always thinking of her as my "black" friend. I WAS kinda young but it was stupid and insensitive

Originally Posted by SoFlaMom

Diversity cannot be overemphasized enough... when you have young children who can't defend themselves against racial biases and discrimination. Only those with young children who do not fit the WASP profile will understand this. You can't make a move in life without wondering how a new environment will affect your children. Just because you personally aren't rascist, doesn't mean 100,000 other people aren't. And people can be cruel... even to young children. It is a parent's most important duty to make sure they live somewhere where their children are treated fairly. It's really hard to understand this when you're white.

[atlantagreg30127]

The biggest problem is that places like Atlanta don't really have real "diversity" at all. I mean sure, there are a a lot of people from all races and nationalities that live here, but unlike many other larger cities, you don't see them mixing or see the unique offerings that most offer. That is, unless you just happen to stumple into a neighborhood with hidden hole in the wall stores and restaurants to explore. We have few if any "real" other-nationality festivals here other than things that are held in parking lots or small venues.

You go to the burbs and most of the leadership is white, old, and conservative. I don't like that. You go into town and most key positions are given to blacks. I don't like that either. You're telling me that in all the metro area and within the city, there are no qualified candidates for key positions with national origins from Latin America, Japan, India, or any European country? At ALL?

I don't think that overall diversity is over emphasized by most - I just don't think that real diversity is easily (if at all) found anywhere in the Atlanta area.

[Atlantasfinest]

The main point is that it takes YEARS to create the diversity that New York City, South Florida, Chicago, San Francisco Bay Area and The Los Angeles/OC/San Diego area have.

These areas didn't have laws on the books (Even though racism was still there it just wasn't as direct as the south) about racial segregation so in-turn they have always been welcome areas and melting pots of society since the early 1900's! For immmigrants from Europe & China on the 1st wave then the second wave from SE Asia, Mexico, South America, Carribean, Africa & India. They came for the abundance of jobs, development & open land and oppurtunity that created a natural diversity that these areas continue to thrive in to this day.

Atlanta is just now beginning to scrath the surface on becoming international. I travel internationally quite often and trust me, we are not etched on the international scene but people are at least starting to recognize us coming to the forefront. The more immigrants that come here and the more diverse we become the greater the benefit to our society and our welcomness into the world.

Blacks and other minorities were just starting to be admitted to UGA and other SEC institutions in the 70's. It hasn't been even 40 years! It takes a few generations to change perceptions and Thank God that Atlanta has changed for the better since that time. Luckily Atlanta is home to the Atlanta University Center because without that cradle of educational oppurtunity key leadership in this city and elsewhere could've been null & void. But many African-Americans couldn't afford these Universities because of their Private Status so where did they end up? The diversityof non-segregated Universities could've enhanced the state and kept many promising students here or out of trouble.

Think about it, for years many of the talented Blacks of the south deserted the south for greener pastures elsewhere in Chicago, California, New York. One famous Georgian Jackie Robinson moved to California and onto UCLA in the 30's because of the crushing Racism and Poverty that was in this State.

So as we move deeper into the 21st century there is hope for Atlanta with diversity being one of the major factors for a true international inspired metropolitan city.

[mg83]

I'd like a candid explanation on how Atlanta would ever be considered an international city? I'm not trying to sound rude, but when I think of the international cities in the US, I think of ones you've mentioned - NYC, Miami, San Fran, Chicago... and Atlanta? I just don't see it. Atlanta's landlocked, not very walkable, and has an awful municipal transportation system. Is Atlanta really a place where tourists (from all over the world) would enjoy visiting, and feel welcome? Or is it just a mere resting point on long Delta layovers.

[kwr]

Originally Posted by mg83

I'd like a candid explanation on how Atlanta would ever be considered an international city? I'm not trying to sound rude, but when I think of the international cities in the US, I think of ones you've mentioned - NYC, Miami, San Fran, Chicago... and Atlanta? I just don't see it. Atlanta's landlocked, not very walkable, and has an awful municipal transportation system. Is Atlanta really a place where tourists (from all over the world) would enjoy visiting, and feel welcome? Or is it just a mere resting point on long Delta layovers.

Please research...Atlanta is not land locked -- there is no body of water that impedes growth. Also it is walkable...recently voted as one of the most walkable cities.

Miami , San Fran, NYC and Chicago ARE land locked. You can not build in all 4 directions. Refine your criteria and I'm sure you will get some candid responses as to why Atlanta is an Int'l city.

[Motion]

^

Never thought about landlock like that. I guess being a coastal city can have it's limits.