Does Closet Racism Exist in Charotte? (Charlotte, Gastonia: condo, houses, neighbourhoods)

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by BrianH1970

Seems like the only thing this thread is good for is race baiting, making the OP no better than the "supposed" prejudiced or "racist" people in her examples.

Brian, I really don't think she's trying to bait anyone - I sense she is truly frustrated and looking to either vent of raise some kind of awareness for her "cause".

While I know bigots and racism do in fact exist in this world (and city) it's hard for me to go all doom and gloom on the subject when I see so much positive progress in the way races are interacting and intermingling. There is of course room for improvment, but in my "white" world my son has a black roommate, my favorite doctor is a woman AND black, my two all time favorite priests are also black and my husbands tennis partner is black. But I'm just a typical southern white woman whose faith teaches her that God is colorblind

[uncletupelo]

jstn- you are a man after my own heart. you just spoke your mind which is the truth. racism exist within ALL groups of people-period. whites do not have a monopoly on it. i have found that if i treat people with respect and kindness, i will be treated the same. there are sorry people in every community. I am a conservative native north carolinian that watched my home state vote for a black man for president and a woman for govenor. My hometown of Raleigh elected the first black mayor of a major southern city back in 1974. Charlotte has had a black mayor as well as a female mayor. Enough said.

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by Swerski16

I walk up N Tryon everyday to work, near the VA center. I mind my business, but I'd say about 3 times a week I'm yelled at or given upfront remarks about my race. It makes me very uncomfortable, but what else can one do? So if you're asking "is racism alive in Charlotte?" then my answer is definitely, yes.
Although in my case the comments aren't "closet."

I'm a white male in his mid 20's.

I used to live and worked in a liquor store a few blocks away from Newark, NJ. The overwhelming majority of my problems stemmed from one particular race of people, all totally unprovoked.

I'm a white male in my late 30's.

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by jstn

At the same time, reality is reality. Like I said, I'm a black male, a rather large one at that (about 6'6" - 280lbs), yet I still watch my back when a group of young black males with their baggy pants, bandanas hanging from their pockets get on the train behind me. Why? Because I watch the same news that "little old white lady" watches.

I find it hard to believe that you should be watching your back.

[urbancharlotte]

Originally Posted by jstn

At the same time, reality is reality. Like I said, I'm a black male, a rather large one at that (about 6'6" - 280lbs), yet I still watch my back when a group of young black males with their baggy pants, bandanas hanging from their pockets get on the train behind me. Why? Because I watch the same news that "little old white lady" watches.

I am a (6'4" -225lbs) black male and I honestly watch my back when ANY person get on the train behind me. I do understand your post and I think it is well written.

I have seen racism thoughout Charlotte. It is all over America so lets get that straight before I continue. The one pattern I have noticed is that racist blacks tend to be the most vocal while racist whites tend to be more . This is a huge shift from what this country saw 50 years ago when it was the whites that were vocal and blacks kept quiet.

I have also noticed that Gastonia seems to have integrated blacks/whites better than Charlotte. I see a MUCH larger percentage of black/white couples in Gastonia than I do in Charlotte. I also see cars filled with young blacks and whites riding together in Gastonia more often than I do in Charlotte. I know I am not the only person that has noticed this. Why does it seem that Gastonia is integrating different races and classes better than Charlotte? Could it be that Charlotte should stop and take notes from Gastonia on how to fully integrate the community or am I just wrong about Gastonia all together?

[mullman]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

Racism exists everywhere, including Charlotte - no place is immune to it. But that is a problem of THIS world, it won't be in the next

+1

As long as people come in different colors, unfortunately there will be some form of racism or prejudice somewhere.
And I agree with loves, I am pretty certain there will not be colors in heaven.
I realize this post is about black/white, but what about the Jews?
They have been persecuted globally for thousands of years.
We live in an imperfect world and each must do our part for a better tomorrow.

jstn, great post.
Walking uptown at night I would be just as concered seeing a 'gang' of white kids than black, or hispanic.
It is the no good they might wish upon me, not their color.

At the end of the day it still boils down to respect for oneself, respect for others, and respect for authority.
Is that racist?

[CVP]

"Birds of a feather flock together" is human nature...in every part of the world. And it's not just whites who are racist. We had a Japanese exchange student living with us last year and when I took her to NYC, it quickly became clear how much she disliked the Chinese. She made numerous negative comments about those she saw throughout the day and when I questioned her about her feelings, she claimed they are looked down upon in Japan.

No matter where you go, groups judge other groups and they are always going to do it. Since moving to NC, I've experienced some negativity and wisecracks because I hail from the North. It's ok. I understand I'm going to be judged. It's human nature. Those who are not white assume they're being judged because of their color. That's not necessarily the case at all. We all experience discrimination -- some are just more sensitive to it.

[Native_Son]

A list of conflicting groups that, to me, are more vocal, hateful and real than racism in Charlotte:

Democrats vs. Republicans
Yankees vs. Southerners
NC State vs. UNC
Raleigh vs. Charlotte
Charlotte School Board vs. each other and reality
Eminem vs. Moby

[mullman]

Originally Posted by native_son

charlotte school board vs. Each other and reality

Truth on so many levels, LOL

[hooligan]

Originally Posted by Native_Son

Eminem vs. Moby

LOL!!!

Awesome...