Austin Racism??? (Spring, West: apartments, to rent, how much)

[carolinajack]

i think because the topic is Austin "Racism" and many use the term in a racist way when saying "Mexicans", like they say the "N" word--i hate that why not just say the word

[carolinajack]

its not like people arent thinking the word, and most still use the word--all races do

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by carolinajack

its not like people arent thinking the word, and most still use the word--all races do

I think that people might think of the word when they here someone say the "the N word" as in we all know what it is, but honestly, the word itself is so distasteful that I don't think of it when I am in the company of black people. But I was born in the mid-sixties to a woman who used to be a catholic nun and she would slap us silly if we ever uttered such a word. Same thing for derogatory terms for Jews, Hispanics, or Asians. So I think it has a lot to do with how one is raised and when they were born. (Ironically, my father a protestant originally from North TX and then Oklahoma, was a horrible racist. So while he would often utter racial epithets we were horrified because our primary caregiver had drilled into us how wrong it was.)

[miche111e]

I think Austin is more classist than racist; meaning, they don't care if you're black, hispanic, muslim, etc. as long as you're not poor and you don't have a considerable accent.

[doctorjef]

I think that is actually true of much of present day America and I would agree in regard to Austin.

[theloneranger]

Originally Posted by carolinajack

i think because the topic is Austin "Racism" and many use the term in a racist way when saying "Mexicans", like they say the "N" word--i hate that why not just say the word

That is correct. It's very much the tone of voice it's said in as well.

Usually in Texas "Latino" or "Hispanic" is the preferred term, especially because not all Hispanics are from Mexico by a long shot.

I have no idea what the above "Clarksville" reference means. Is that a neighborhood in Austin? The simple fact remains that the vast majority of Austin's white population lives west of I-35 and the large majority of her non-white population lives on the east side.

[imrosey09]

for a big city in the south i would have to say austin is the most liberal meaning no it is not very racist. i have lived in alot of other citys in texas and through out the south and austin is the most chill.

[1mintjulep]

Originally Posted by miche111e

I think Austin is more classist than racist; meaning, they don't care if you're black, hispanic, muslim, etc. as long as you're not poor and you don't have a considerable accent.

I've certainly experienced the classist thing. Seems that everyone here over 30 has at least a Master's Degree - when people find out I have a high school education (some college, mind you, but I didn't finish and don't really have a burning desire to), the sound of all the air being sucked out of the room is fairly audible.

I grew up in the Shreveport, LA area - race relations there make Austin look like the Rainbow Coalition, so my perception is very skewed. I don't hear people openly refer to black people as n-----s and regularly wish out loud for the return of Jim Crow laws here with basically no social consequences whatsoever, so in my mind Austin is a vast improvement; but then agan, look at what my frame of reference is.

[cls88]

Originally Posted by passionatearts

Part of the reason for the segregation is historical. In the bad old days, non-whites were forced to live in the east side of town, and I-35 was purposefully built the way it was in order to segregate the races. We're still living with the consequences of these decisions, but I think things are slowly getting better.

Is that the reason why current Austin City government still favors west side over east in terms of development dollars and efforts? If that is motivation behind the city’s decisions, then it is the ultimate racism of Austin – straight from the governing body!

[cls88]

As a minority, I don't care people's stereotype, name calling, etc., as long as the government officials, police, and employers don't make their policies/decisions mainly based on their personal racial viewpoints.

What I appreciate most about Americans and American employers is that they put (at least try to) their racial perceptions behind them when they deal with individuals. I've never had employment issues - given that I believe I should be twice as good/qualified (at least try to) and work twice as hard to compensate for the culture and language differences.

I don't know about other places, but Austin area is 100 times better than NC and mid-west in terms of racism. For the past 10 years living in Austin and surrounding areas, I have NOT yet once being called names to my face as I was all the time at the other places. What words people use in their homes is their business and doesn't bother me a bit.