Racism in Buffalo (New York, Amherst, Kent: 2011, how much, house)

[mikesuicide]

Originally Posted by Canerican

Yes that is what I am saying, and I am right. And it isn't blacks only, it can be whites, or whatever demographic group. If you are poor, you simply can't go anywhere you want, you will end up being somewhat self-segregated.

I find it strange that someone WHO DOESN'T EVEN live in Buffalo (and who never has, and has only lived in America for a short while) is lecturing me on racism... I've seen some weird things before...

Let me give some advice, when you move here, don't tell us how our country/city works or should work, you will get the cold shoulder pretty quick. I am not saying it to be rude at all, I'm saying it for your benefit.

you're quite bossy for someone who is on his way out of this city. I for one would love new citizens with new perspectives. It beats the tired complaining

[UpstaterInBklyn]

This thread is trending towards the natural conclusion to all C-D threads that touch on issues of race. It's getting uglier by the moment.

[Checkered24]

How do they determine cities that are more racist than others?

I cannot really speak to whether the city is more or less racist than anywhere else. I don't know how widespread racism really is here, much less other cities.

If Buffalo does tend to be more racist than other cities, I wonder if the reason would be it's aging population. It seem to me that each new generation seems to have less racial awareness, and more acceptance of other races. Since Buffalo's younger residents keep leaving, and the population as a whole is aging, I wonder if that contributes to a more "racist" city than elsewhere.

Still, I'd like to know what criteria are used here to determine levels of racism.

[Canerican]

Originally Posted by UpstaterInBklyn

This thread is trending towards the natural conclusion to all C-D threads that touch on issues of race. It's getting uglier by the moment.

You're right. I didn't want that, because it is an interesting question. In all honesty, for the purposes of this thread, slavery doesn't matter, I was asking about the here and now... But I guess that's a big task...

If Buffalo does tend to be more racist than other cities, I wonder if the reason would be it's aging population. It seem to me that each new generation seems to have less racial awareness, and more acceptance of other races. Since Buffalo's younger residents keep leaving, and the population as a whole is aging, I wonder if that contributes to a more "racist" city than elsewhere.

Still, I'd like to know what criteria are used here to determine levels of racism.

The people who I have heard say rude things about black people have all been college-age, so I don't really see it as an age, though it might be.

I tried really hard to find the blog that I found a really good post on, but couldn't find it. The criteria were minority unemployment vs. White, black populations in "nicer" suburbs vs. White; black vs. White salaries.
Those were a few, but I can't remember them all.

Buffalo does have a 'wink and a nod' good ole boy mentality still around

I totally agree, that is why our government is so inefficient.

Stuff like this doesn't help race relations. I kind of think that we have a "reverse good ol' boys system" here though, if you want to call it that: http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/13665497.html

[UpstaterInBklyn]

I think a lot of the attitudes stem from isolation and lack of economic opportunity.

The city is overwhelmingly poor and black and the suburbs are overwhelmingly middle-class and white. The two groups live in their own worlds and rarely interact.

There are so few opportunities for poor city residents to even get to the first rung of the economic ladder, mostly because of the local economy and what doesn't help, for example, is that many entry-level job opportunities are in the suburbs and not accessible via the lousy public transportation system.

Charges of "reverse racism" stem from intense competition for work, usually for the government. Since government is one of the few providers of decent jobs in WNY, it is to be expected.

Some progress is being made. The neighborhood I grew in, the Cleveland Hill section of Cheektowaga is evolving into an integrated community of middle-class blacks and whites, and I know other eastern sections of Cheektowaga are becoming that way too.

[Canerican]

Originally Posted by UpstaterInBklyn

The city is overwhelmingly poor and black

Some progress is being made. The neighborhood I grew in, the Cleveland Hill section of Cheektowaga is evolving into an integrated community of middle-class blacks and whites, and I know other eastern sections of Cheektowaga are becoming that way too.

Actually Buffalo is 52% White, 37% black; but someone told that Langfield-Kenfield is over 95% black, and I would believe it. My church is located in that area.

And I lived in Cleveland Hill for a while, and you are right, the area closer to Harlem and Cleveland Dr. and become more integrated (which is a very good thing). But I heard that there are big race problems at Cleveland Hill High School. Someone who teaches there told me that about 10 years ago, there were few black students, that the school was overwhelmingly White, now it is approaching 25% black. I guess that a dramatic change like that generally does stir up the worst in people, but my friend said that black gangs were starting to beat up on White students, and White mobs doing the same.

I would honestly guess that racism isn't nearly as bad in the suburbs, because I think that as much as it is about race, it's about class, and most educated people (who live is the suburbs in massive numbers compared to the city) know it. People just don't want trashy people in their neighborhoods. I won't deny it, I am glad that there is no bus stop near my house. I have no problem with black neighbors, half my neighbors are Jewish or Arabs anyway, I honesty couldn't care about race less, but if one of my neighbors starting parking old beat up cars in front of their house, let the weeds grow in their yard, and had loud house parties three times a week, White or black, I won't like them.

What I am getting at, is that most people probably feel the way I do, that the don't like trashy people, and because of false stereotypes, they believe (not me) that most blacks are classless. This is an undoubtedly false assertion, but since some people believe it, it leads to racism.

So Upstater, you would be right, because anyone with exposure to black people knows that most stereotypes are quite false, therefore they would not view blacks in that light, therefore would not irrationally hate blacks.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by Canerican

Actually Buffalo is 52% White, 37% black; but someone told that Langfield-Kenfield is over 95% black, and I would believe it. My church is located in that area.

And I lived in Cleveland Hill for a while, and you are right, the area closer to Harlem and Cleveland Dr. and become more integrated (which is a very good thing). But I heard that there are big race problems at Cleveland Hill High School. Someone who teaches there told me that about 10 years ago, there were few black students, that the school was overwhelmingly White, now it is approaching 25% black. I guess that a dramatic change like that generally does stir up the worst in people, but my friend said that black gangs were starting to beat up on White students, and White mobs doing the same.

I would honestly guess that racism isn't nearly as bad in the suburbs, because I think that as much as it is about race, it's about class, and most educated people (who live is the suburbs in massive numbers compared to the city) know it. People just don't want trashy people in their neighborhoods. I won't deny it, I am glad that there is no bus stop near my house. I have no problem with black neighbors, half my neighbors are Jewish or Arabs anyway, I honesty couldn't care about race less, but if one of my neighbors starting parking old beat up cars in front of their house, let the weeds grow in their yard, and had loud house parties three times a week, White or black, I won't like them.

What I am getting at, is that most people probably feel the way I do, that the don't like trashy people, and because of false stereotypes, they believe (not me) that most blacks are classless. This is an undoubtedly false assertion, but since some people believe it, it leads to racism.

So Upstater, you would be right, because anyone with exposure to black people knows that most stereotypes are quite false, therefore they would not view blacks in that light, therefore would not irrationally hate blacks.

Here's a site showing the drastic change in demographics at Cleveland Hill High School: Cleveland Hill High School, Cheektowaga New York / NY school information and ethnic makeup

[ajacques]

As a white girl with a black girlfriend I'm now a little worried about moving her to Buffalo. She came from lincoln, Il and had to deal with racism growing up, and i'll be damned if I put her back in that environment. Taken that we'll both be students probably living an apartment (hopefully in amherst) I don't think we'll have any problems but now ya'll got me a little worried. We won't be living the hood but at the same time we not buying a house in the burb's; Be blunt we me - Is she really gonna have a harder time in buffalo..say ..getting a job because she's black than here in florida?

[Canerican]

I wouldn't say so. If she doesn't act trashy, or you don't, you will both be fine.

In all honesty, people will probably care more that she's a lesbian. Buffalo comes from a long Catholic tradition, so I wouldn't bring it up in interviews, or if asked. I have never seen two guys or two girls holding hands or anything here. This area is Liberal in many areas, but are generally socially Conservative, especially about gay marriage. For example, Rasmussen did a poll asking NYers if they approve of gay marriage 46% did (now quite a bit lower since people have actually given it a thought), but only about 29% in Erie County did, the HUGE majority of people who approve of gay marriage are from NYC. I would assume that in most areas of Amherst the number would be lower, as cities tend to be far more Liberal than suburbs.

So in all honesty, don't bring up the fact you are a lesbian except to people you know, and you should be fine. If you are into flaunting your lesbianism, in all honesty, I would suggest for your own good that you go to a more "gay friendly" place... I don't really know much about gay culture, because I honestly couldn't care less about the "gay community", but I am pretty sure our area isn't too accepting.

[mycrows]

Originally Posted by Canerican

...but I am pretty sure our area isn't too accepting.

Maybe your area. This is what's going on in my area: Pride Parade Show and Tell | City | Buffalo Rising

Welcome to Buffalo, ajacques! It's a very gay friendly city: numerous gay bars, drag shows, large annual gay pride parade ^^^^

Plenty of less flamboyant, more straight-laced gays around, too.

Canerican: Not every member of the "gay community" wants to live in San Francisco or NYC. Most Catholics in Buffalo have at least one openly gay family member, so they're starting to get the idea.