Is Boston racist?!?!?!? (Washington: rent, income, job)

[howsitgoingdude3]

Originally Posted by Miker2069

How has racism manifested itself in DC that is so shocking? Could it be you are in an environment that is predominantly black compared to Boston and surrounding areas? Is it a culture shock that you migh tbe experiencing- I'm not being funny or down playing what you are saying but I'm a bit surprised and would like to know what you've seen and/or experienced.

Dude, i so agree with you DC Metro is a totally big difference!! In the northeast it is definitely totally taboo to be racist and sexist in public, but it is perfectly and socially acceptable to be extremely snobby and elitist haha ( I gladly take full advantage of that northeastern tradition whenever possible hahaha j/k)

However in the south which DC is, it is not as taboo and people both white and black are brutally honest. I guess what I hated most about DC was the blanket stereotyping done by both whites and blacks. It harps full of penned down racism, that is based on nothing more than a bunch of mthys or BS. It was awful! Maybe that is because there's probably an equal amount if you add in the burbs of blacks and whites in DC, but it so funny like if you're Irish, Italian, or white looking of any ethnicity you're whtie in DC and only white your heritage doesn't matter. However in Boston if you're Irish, Italian, or another white kinda of person you're not the same like your hertage matters. Like I've always noticed kids were totally more ethnic. Although, i've never thought of DC as being anti semite, but a lot of my jewish friends from there have always made comments that DC is very racist towards them as well. I agree with you and maybe i have blinders on as i'm a college student and I do not go out of my supposed "safe zone" in MA. I mean my safe zone consist of the more affulent area's as i've always found no matter what the color typically the affluent people are more traveled, better read, and more accepting than the lower classes who are less educated and base most of there stereotypes on MTV tv shows lol and other brainless stereotypes. Like I said in my previous post I have never experienced a large amount of racism in MA I mean there have been some incidents where i had to question the motives of the person or persons. However, my dislike of people from the north shore areas like Malden and such may have more to do with class and social norms as i think those type of Boston people are rude and just not nice people. It has been my same experience with people in Wocester. I find them rude and nasty they lack so much tact. I tend not to go to those places. I tend to hangout in Newton, Cambridge, Brookline, Brighton, Chestnut Hill, Beacon Hill, Allston, and downtown. I just feel extremely carefree in those areas in terms of race. Anyway just my take on things!

[BlackMoses]

Being that I lived in ALL kinds of neighborhoods in Boston.. i'll say my two cents.

Is Boston racist in the "KKK" way? No. But is Boston racist in the way the city is planned way? YES!!

The racism is more or less due to the way the city is planned. If you're white and you live in a white neighborhood, OF COURSE YOU WONT EVER SEE RACISM OR ACKNOWLEDGE IT! But if you're Black/Latino and live in a Black/Latino neighborhood, you'll see how things like job opportunities, entrepenurialism, and how much your neighborhood is runned down and how EASILY expendible you and your neighborhood are when investors want to "gentrify" it are so blatantely evident.

People want to believe that the East Coast/NorthEast is some "haven" from racism because of its liberal stereotype, but that is NOT the case at all since there's a city called Boston that SWEEPS its issues under a rug. If you're black/latino and live in a black/latino neighborhood, you'll feel how the city subliminally shows that they do not care about your neighborhood.

Boston is definitely the most racially-organized city in the Country... this coming from someone who has moved all around the US... it's like as if you feel the inequality, but if you bring it up, you feel like it was all an illusion, simliar to the crime rate and yet people STILL have the mentality that "it doesn't happen" and/or "it's not as bad as ______ (insert another city)"... Boston is known for turning the other cheek.

But yes, Boston is NOT "KKK" racist, but rather Racist in the way where this isn't a city for minorities due to lack of opporunities in ALL aspects.

[CareerMove]

Black Moses: can you suggest any neighborhoods that would come close to offering some type of diversity (not exclusively a minority area) for a minority person moving to Boston in less than a week!! While I'm there I plan to start apartment hunting and I'm continually seeking advice on areas where I would feel most comfortable.
My goal is to find an affordable, safe, clean 1 bedroom apartment within close proximity to the Back Bay area. Thanks

[ChunkyMonkey]

Originally Posted by BlackMoses

Being that I lived in ALL kinds of neighborhoods in Boston.. i'll say my two cents.

Is Boston racist in the "KKK" way? No. But is Boston racist in the way the city is planned way? YES!!

The racism is more or less due to the way the city is planned. If you're white and you live in a white neighborhood, OF COURSE YOU WONT EVER SEE RACISM OR ACKNOWLEDGE IT! But if you're Black/Latino and live in a Black/Latino neighborhood, you'll see how things like job opportunities, entrepenurialism, and how much your neighborhood is runned down and how EASILY expendible you and your neighborhood are when investors want to "gentrify" it are so blatantely evident.

People want to believe that the East Coast/NorthEast is some "haven" from racism because of its liberal stereotype, but that is NOT the case at all since there's a city called Boston that SWEEPS its issues under a rug. If you're black/latino and live in a black/latino neighborhood, you'll feel how the city subliminally shows that they do not care about your neighborhood.

Boston is definitely the most racially-organized city in the Country... this coming from someone who has moved all around the US... it's like as if you feel the inequality, but if you bring it up, you feel like it was all an illusion, simliar to the crime rate and yet people STILL have the mentality that "it doesn't happen" and/or "it's not as bad as ______ (insert another city)"... Boston is known for turning the other cheek.

But yes, Boston is NOT "KKK" racist, but rather Racist in the way where this isn't a city for minorities due to lack of opporunities in ALL aspects.

What does racially-organized mean? Are you suggesting that Boston encourages segregation. I have news for you. Boston is nowhere near as segregated as other cities. Atlanta for example, was extremely segregated, where the blacks were in the Southern parts while the whites are in the north. Whites were often afraid of public transportation expansion, afraid that blacks will move into their neighborhood. I don't know how many people suggested that MARTA means "Moving Africans Rapidly Through Atlanta".

[jyoung666]

Listen this post is rediculous, of course there is racism everywhere(which is unforunate) and all i can say is that boston doesnt segragate anyone. i didnt even think that existed anymore. Anyways the only thing you should worry about in what community you pick is the atmosphere and crime rate. Those who can suggest that people are still segragated need to be educated.

[nooneknowsmyname]

Originally Posted by mickey mouse is dead

I heard the other a friend of mine saying that Boston is really racist , which was surprising to me since I have always seen Boston as a cleaner NYC, a true international place. I know there is a strong white presence and influence, especially Irish, but I always thought that Boston was really progressive and liberal, and in my mind, racism is way out of place with the other two qualities. This is important to me because I am Hispanic, and Boston is in my "Cities to move" list. Now, is this true? Is Boston racist? (Oh, and please don't tell me that is not because there's a big Hispanic population , which does not prove anything.)

I am an African American who grew up in Massachusetts and whose family has lived there since the 1850s (my great great grandfather was a slave who fled the south and settled in Massachusetts). I lived in the city Boston between the mid 60s and late 80s.

The OP is correct that Boston has a strong Irish presence with South Boston and Charleston having historically been working class West Roxbury was the home to more affluent Irish and many of Boston's Irish politicians lived there. In fact, historically Bostonians referred to the residents of West Roxbury as the "lace curtain Irish." Like many cities in the northeast and midwest, Boston neighborhoods tended to be ethnic enclaves. In addition to the Irish neighborhoods mentioned above, The North End was the Italian neighborhood. Originally the African American community lived on the North side of Beacon Hill, later moved to the South End, which having been gentrified beginning in the late 60s through the 80s lost most of its African American population. When they became more affluent African Americans first moved to Roxbury, which subsequently became predominantly African American. Later African Americans moved to Dorchester and Mattapan, movement that occurred because they were being displaced from the South End. However, when I lived in Boston, there were certain areas of Dorchester that didn't welcome African Americans and those who moved there met some resistance, some violent, some not. When African Americans first moved to Dorchester, the area was close to Roxbury and that part of Dorchester was called North Dorchester, which although not an official designation was used to indicate that this was the Black part of Dorchester and distinguish it from the part of Dorchester that was mainly white.


Boston has a reputation for being a racist city that stems largely from the actions of the Boston School Committee prior to court ordered desegregation (court decision in 1974) and the subsequent response of many of the neighborhood communities much of it quite violent to desegregation. Having lived in Boston during that period, I must say that much of that reputation was well-deserved. While it is impossible to go into detail in this post, during that period, many African Americans were accosted if they were in certain parts of the city that were considered off limits. One of the most egregious assault took place in broad daylight in front of City Hall, when Theodore Landsmark was assaulted with an American flag.

The idea that because a community is home to many first rate educational institutions, is considered progressive and liberal does not mean it isn't racist. The reputation of progressive, liberal reputation of communities with first rate educational institutions usually results from its stance on political/social issues, which although important doesn't mean that those cities won't be tinged with racism.

No doubt Boston has changed since that time. The fact that Massachusetts elected a Black governor might be seen as progress; however, unlike Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, DC, New York City or other northeast or midwest cities, Boston has never elected a Black mayor which amy believe is a better barometer from measuring progress in the city. Like many cities, Boston has changed. Today, it is unlikely that African Americans will be accosted or looked down upon simply because they are African American. It would be inaccurate to say that Boston in 2007 is the same as it was 20 years ago. Today, Ted Landsmark is the dean (or president?) of the Boston Architectural Center. To say that Boston is completely free of racism, however, would be like saying that racism is no longer alive and well in the US.

If you wish to discuss this further, send me a personal message.

[mattncind]

Originally Posted by BlackMoses

Being that I lived in ALL kinds of neighborhoods in Boston.. i'll say my two cents.

Is Boston racist in the "KKK" way? No. But is Boston racist in the way the city is planned way? YES!!

The racism is more or less due to the way the city is planned. If you're white and you live in a white neighborhood, OF COURSE YOU WONT EVER SEE RACISM OR ACKNOWLEDGE IT! But if you're Black/Latino and live in a Black/Latino neighborhood, you'll see how things like job opportunities, entrepenurialism, and how much your neighborhood is runned down and how EASILY expendible you and your neighborhood are when investors want to "gentrify" it are so blatantely evident.

People want to believe that the East Coast/NorthEast is some "haven" from racism because of its liberal stereotype, but that is NOT the case at all since there's a city called Boston that SWEEPS its issues under a rug. If you're black/latino and live in a black/latino neighborhood, you'll feel how the city subliminally shows that they do not care about your neighborhood.

Boston is definitely the most racially-organized city in the Country... this coming from someone who has moved all around the US... it's like as if you feel the inequality, but if you bring it up, you feel like it was all an illusion, simliar to the crime rate and yet people STILL have the mentality that "it doesn't happen" and/or "it's not as bad as ______ (insert another city)"... Boston is known for turning the other cheek.

But yes, Boston is NOT "KKK" racist, but rather Racist in the way where this isn't a city for minorities due to lack of opporunities in ALL aspects.

This is almost laughable. Spatial Racism is a problem in every city in North America, and Boston is hardly the worst offender. Go to Philadelphia, Chicago, NY or even some cities in Canada and you will see full blown examples of this. OR better yet travel throughout the south and see the effects of Jim Crow right in your face.

Boston im sure has its racial problems and they have obviously been well documented, but to say they are any worse than any other city in north America is absolutely false.

And in another post I referenced this news article and I would like you to give it a read....http://www.boston.com/business/artic...booming_firms/
So if Boston is really that racist it sure hasn't effected entrepreneurship in the minority community (something you mentioned as well)

[ChunkyMonkey]

Originally Posted by nooneknowsmyname

No doubt Boston has changed since that time. The fact that Massachusetts elected a Black governor might be seen as progress; however, unlike Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, DC, New York City or other northeast or midwest cities, Boston has never elected a Black mayor which amy believe is a better barometer from measuring progress in the city.

However, unlike those other cities, Boston does not have as large a black population, hence an unfair comparison. Quite a large part of Boston's black population are immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean, a nonvoting segment.

IMO, electing a black governor is more of a milestone than a black mayor, which is a dime a dozen. Gov. Patrick is only the 2nd black governor elected to office in the nation's history, which is saying a whole lot more.

[BlackMoses]

Originally Posted by ChunkyMonkey

What does racially-organized mean? Are you suggesting that Boston encourages segregation. I have news for you. Boston is nowhere near as segregated as other cities. Atlanta for example, was extremely segregated, where the blacks were in the Southern parts while the whites are in the north. Whites were often afraid of public transportation expansion, afraid that blacks will move into their neighborhood. I don't know how many people suggested that MARTA means "Moving Africans Rapidly Through Atlanta".

To clarify, I think Boston is a great city. I was born and raised here, and as much as the media makes it seem like Boston just consist of Fenway Park, South Boston and the Common, it's a real diverse city in its own unique way and very neighborhood-oriented.

But when I say "racially organized", it's not in the "racist" way that most people tend to find in other places like the South. For a long time, Boston had to deal with "breaking the barriers" of neighborhoods because it was like "if you stay in one neighborhood, you don't have to go to the other", thus it caused segregation to the point where schooling down to Public Housing even followed these neighborhood guidelines... and til this day, the city is trying to break those "barriers". I hate to get into history, but tearing down the "El trains" to replace them with overpacked buses, gentrification and displacement due to the cost of living is a slap in the face to the poor communities in Boston, predominently minority neighborhoods.... to top it off there's lack of opportunity for minorities in Boston much moreso than Atlanta, within the school systems (for example, Mass has the highest drop out rate for minorities than any other state in the US), job opportunities, etc... and those are examples of Boston being racially organized, because nobody who's a tourist or a college student will ever have to embarc into the poor and/or minority neighborhoods, will never find any need to and won't experience the "issues" within the city that long time residents deal/dealt with, unlike some major cities. My point is definitely not far from the truth... but like I said, if you don't live in the neighhorhoods that experience most of these issues, it'll be hard for you to understand or believe it... but other than that, Boston is a great place to experience and great place for your kids to be raised. I wouldn't rather be born and raised anywhere else.

But yeah, if you want to find a nice place to stay within Boston, your best bet is anything close to downtown and/or the Fenway area (the closer, the better), or the outer borders of Boston.

[howsitgoingdude3]

Originally Posted by ChunkyMonkey

However, unlike those other cities, Boston does not have as large a black population, hence an unfair comparison. Quite a large part of Boston's black population are immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean, a nonvoting segment.

IMO, electing a black governor is more of a milestone than a black mayor, which is a dime a dozen. Gov. Patrick is only the 2nd black governor elected to office in the nation's history, which is saying a whole lot more.

Who gives a crap if you elect a black govenor. I mean that does not make a state any less racist. Hell, Govorner Douglas Wilder was elected governor of Virginia in 1990. Yes, a red state full of redneck racist. His election did not make the people in the state less racist or the preception of the state any less racist. It merely proves, that most American's when electing officals will overwhelmingly choose the most qualified candidate in "most" cases regardless of race! Look at Illnios and Barrack Obama most people may not know this but minus Chicago and the suburbs there Illionis is about as redneck as you get, but they still elected a black senator, but does that make all of the people non racist? NO! This does not make a state or its people less racist. I'm not a democrate, but considering how fouled up the state was run by Romney i'm not shocked the state opted to elect a Democrate. I mean seriously Patrick was leagues ahead of the other candidates in terms of qualifications. Considering i'm a conservative i listen to a lot of the conservative station and that lamb roast this guy ever night for things that the Romney Heeley administration did, which makes no sense. Try listening to Howie Carr and you'll hear all the bay state bigots talking about how poor a job the guy has done in only 4 months of office. It is laughable to hear the bigots! Like most people are saying no, Boston is no more racist than any where else you go in this country. Most of the people are not racist, but there are a large handful that are and that's that!