Questions about diverse neighborhoods: what is the point? (Gastonia, Gaston: move to, suburb)

[Huckleberry3911948]

to a large extent threads devoted to attracting responses from "white neighborhoods" seem to indulge in white guy baiting a great deal. some would view this as trolling but i see it as an earnest (less than honest but earnest) attempt to find out why anglos think and feel the way they do towards blacks. we all want to know what others think of us, but in a safe manner in which we can easily dismiss them if things get too warm.

[mm34b]

Some local law enforcement offices have been granted authority by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) to identify, detain and begin deportation proceedings of illegal immigrants.

Alamance County Sheriff's Office
Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office
Durham Police Department
Gaston County Sheriff's Office
Henderson County Sheriff's Office
Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office
Wake County Sheriff's Office

Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA), effective September 30, 1996, added Section 287(g), performance of immigration officer functions by state officers and employees, to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This authorizes the secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enter into agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies, permitting designated officers to perform immigration law enforcement functions, pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), provided that the local law enforcement officers receive appropriate training and function under the supervision of sworn U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

The cross-designation between ICE and state and local patrol officers, detectives, investigators and correctional officers working in conjunction with ICE allows these local and state officers: necessary resources and latitude to pursue investigations relating to violent crimes, human smuggling, gang/organized crime activity, sexual-related offenses, narcotics smuggling and money laundering; and increased resources and support in more remote geographical locations.

[anifani821]

Thanx, MM34b - you always come up w/ the best info and links!!! I note that Meck is on that list.

[pink caddy]

Thinking about changing my earliar post where I said "diversity" is a PC way of asking -----how many Hispanics /blacks in the nabe . Did a little google search on the word and found the " true definition "of the word is a a lot deeper than I thought.

Defined as more than race---sharing common interesets--causes-ed level-the whole bit that makes up a social interaction. I did not know this is the "book definition"

Is that what we are talking about here? Are we defining like that?

[BigJon3475]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

to a large extent threads devoted to attracting responses from "white neighborhoods" seem to indulge in white guy baiting a great deal. some would view this as trolling but i see it as an earnest (less than honest but earnest) attempt to find out why anglos think and feel the way they do towards blacks. we all want to know what others think of us, but in a safe manner in which we can easily dismiss them if things get too warm.

Continuously racist...

[AmericanRoadGirl]

<jokingly> Aw, c'mon, IIRAIRA section 287g is so-o-o-o... 1996.

Down here in little ole SC we are going for something with a bit more zip and a little more zing. IIRAIRA Section 133 is where it's at now, baby, and SC is leading the way with this Act. We're putting laws on the books that allow us to take advantage of Sect 133, and go for the gusto with broadened involvement and expanded authority to enforce both criminal AND civil INA.

A few years ago, I had a certain diversity in the neighborhood in S. FL that I definitely could have lived without... a little element known as... terrorists. Right down the street... literally. Let's see if I can remember part of my old schtick... Of the four 9/11 hijackers who attended flight school in the U.S., only one had the appropriate visa to do so. At the time of the attacks, those 4 pilots were able to board those airplanes, but 3 of the 4 had already outstayed their visas. Nineteen terrorists took part in the attacks, yet it has been reported that they held 63 state driver's licenses between them. And that is only PART of the story.

[mullman]

Spend a week in Louisiana and I miss this thread!

Ani, I to always wondered about people who ask those questions.
But I wish to live in neighborhood where people are compatible and mostly get along with each other, this is not race based.

When people move onto my street, one of the last things that I think about is their race.
Obviously we are economically compatible, but will they be socially compatible? Keep up their home and landscaping?

Just from observing this forum over time, it seems the blacks are more concerned about who they will be around, whereas I would consider myself more color blind. As long as someone respects themselves & others, and has a honest work ethic, I can guarantee we would be compatible as neighbors regardless of their skin pigment. Probably would not want someone slaughtering a goat or raising chickens in their backyard, but that is what the HOA is for!

As I mentioned, I was in Louisiana last week and on a spare night ended up in a old fashioned red-roof Pizza Hut. At 9pm I was the only white person in the place, and possibly the only person without 'grillz' (lots of gold teeth). I never once felt threatened or uncomfortable and actually had a great conversation with a 'Big John' and a 'Murice' over a pitcher of beer. We spoke of the Katrina fiasco, this fall's election, corrupt LA politics, and the future of energy. Even though we disagreed about nearly everything, we did so in a respectful and amicable way. It was obvious we were enjoying each others company. At the end of the day we are all just people, and should always seek first to understand, then to be understood.

With all that said does anyone know where a white guy can get a good old fashioned shave around this town?
(J/K!)

[anifani821]

Some replies to posts on the thread:

ARG: Love your response and find it to be succinct and illustrative of what we are dealing with in this country. Methinks people have short memories - or simply go into denial in re: to 9/11 and what type of risk we have in this country. Not everybody is here b/c they love America.

John: Yes, you are hitting on my point for this thread (at least in part). I think some people use the word as other posters have suggested - as code for "racial parity" or "racial mix" . . . but I also believe others use the word as defined - a cultural mix, a blending of many types of people/backgrounds, not based solely on race or ethnicity, but lifestyles, as well.

Mullman: Yep, the bottom line is respect and discourse. We can agree to disagree in any group - and discourse leads to new ideas (sometimes) or it can lead to affirmation that our original position is indeed - what we firmly believe. In either case, understanding comes w/ discourse. We can understand "where someone is coming from" philosophically - even if we still intellectually disagree. Like you, I find the discourse interesting and thought-provoking and do not want to be surrounded by people who all agree with me - all the time. That means I embrace diversity . . . however, like you, I am not concerned how intellectually or culturally diverse my neighborhood is insofar as feeling it should be something artificial or devised. The law of averages will usually create a random pattern of ethnic and cultural diversity in ANY neighborhood, based on the "pool" of people who are in the economic group (if that makes any sense). There is a larger pool of people who make up neighborhoods who have families w/ total household incomes of <$50,000 than there would be in a different demographic - say - those who make $500,000 > a year. People end up living where they can afford to live. That is why I find the question "how diverse is Charlotte" to be rather artificial. Answer: Like any place, Charlotte is as diverse as the people who choose to live in any one given area.

As others have alluded to - I have often wondered if the real question people are wanting to ask is: "I have never been to the South, but I have heard ya'll are a bunch of racists down there and will run anyone out of town who is not a WASP. So can I move there and be comfortable or am I gonna find myself surrounded by guys in white sheets and kids who throw rocks at my child on the playground." That question really has nothing to do w/ diversity - it has to do with prejudice and stereotypes. But there is no PC way to say - "Are ya'll prejudiced against anyone who is not white and will I be treated badly b/c I am (fill in the blank - hispanic/latino/black/native American, etc)."

However, I think there are some people who truly want a vibrant, active, culturally mixed area to live in - and when they ask about "diversity" - it has nothing to do w/ PREJUDICE. (see John's post above - definition of "diversity.")

[Hoagie58]

Originally Posted by anifani821

Some replies to posts on the thread:

ARG: Love your response and find it to be succinct and illustrative of what we are dealing with in this country. Methinks people have short memories - or simply go into denial in re: to 9/11 and what type of risk we have in this country. Not everybody is here b/c they love America.

John: Yes, you are hitting on my point for this thread (at least in part). I think some people use the word as other posters have suggested - as code for "racial parity" or "racial mix" . . . but I also believe others use the word as defined - a cultural mix, a blending of many types of people/backgrounds, not based solely on race or ethnicity, but lifestyles, as well.

Mullman: Yep, the bottom line is respect and discourse. We can agree to disagree in any group - and discourse leads to new ideas (sometimes) or it can lead to affirmation that our original position is indeed - what we firmly believe. In either case, understanding comes w/ discourse. We can understand "where someone is coming from" philosophically - even if we still intellectually disagree. Like you, I find the discourse interesting and thought-provoking and do not want to be surrounded by people who all agree with me - all the time. That means I embrace diversity . . . however, like you, I am not concerned how intellectually or culturally diverse my neighborhood is insofar as feeling it should be something artificial or devised. The law of averages will usually create a random pattern of ethnic and cultural diversity in ANY neighborhood, based on the "pool" of people who are in the economic group (if that makes any sense). There is a larger pool of people who make up neighborhoods who have families w/ total household incomes of <$50,000 than there would be in a different demographic - say - those who make $500,000 > a year. People end up living where they can afford to live. That is why I find the question "how diverse is Charlotte" to be rather artificial. Answer: Like any place, Charlotte is as diverse as the people who choose to live in any one given area.

As others have alluded to - I have often wondered if the real question people are wanting to ask is: "I have never been to the South, but I have heard ya'll are a bunch of racists down there and will run anyone out of town who is not a WASP. So can I move there and be comfortable or am I gonna find myself surrounded by guys in white sheets and kids who throw rocks at my child on the playground." That question really has nothing to do w/ diversity - it has to do with prejudice and stereotypes. But there is no PC way to say - "Are ya'll prejudiced against anyone who is not white and will I be treated badly b/c I am (fill in the blank - hispanic/latino/black/native American, etc)."

However, I think there are some people who truly want a vibrant, active, culturally mixed area to live in - and when they ask about "diversity" - it has nothing to do w/ PREJUDICE. (see John's post above - definition of "diversity.")

Excellent points. Also, as the south is integrated more than many NE cities, I wonder if there is not a significant percentage of whites asking the same questions. While I like to think we're all above selecting a neighborhood solely on race, truth is some people prefer to be only near people like them. I also suspect that no one desires to be in the minority, in relation to neighborhood makeup, thus the catalyst for these questions.

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by Hoagie58

Excellent points. Also, as the south is integrated more than many NE cities, I wonder if there is not a significant percentage of whites asking the same questions. While I like to think we're all above selecting a neighborhood solely on race, truth is some people prefer to be only near people like them. I also suspect that no one desires to be in the minority, in relation to neighborhood makeup, thus the catalyst for these questions.

Very possible, Hoagie. Appreciate your thoughts . . .

Wow, we have had a really interesting discussion on this topic!!!! I do appreciate everyone's input - all the various opinions have really helped me understand that there are most likely many reasons for asking that question.