Maywood, Illinois (Arlington Heights, Wheaton, Berwyn: 2009, schools, community college)

[johnm68]

I'm not sure anyone is ganging up on promis1 because of perceptions regarding his education, etc. Rather, I think there is a visceral reaction to people who make statements like

if you married outside of your race- that is your choice but it has watered down your blood line and history.

He also has an unfortunate penchant for referring to other posters as "fools," ""idiot liberals" and the like.

Honestly, at first I thought he was just trolling, but it does seem like he seriously wants to engage in discussion. I also think he has a perspective that should be considered, speaks from experience and seems sincere in his views. I have no problem with a lot of his posts. I do, however, think that the naked racism expressed in some of them is going to elicit strong reactions.

[Mister Mappy]

Originally Posted by johnm68

I'm not sure anyone is ganging up on promis1 because of perceptions regarding his education, etc. Rather, I think there is a visceral reaction to people who make statements like He also has an unfortunate penchant for referring to other posters as "fools," ""idiot liberals" and the like.

Honestly, at first I thought he was just trolling, but it does seem like he seriously wants to engage in discussion. I also think he has a perspective that should be considered, speaks from experience and seems sincere in his views. I have no problem with a lot of his posts. I do, however, think that the naked racism expressed in some of them is going to elicit strong reactions.

That's exactly right. Basically it seems like anyone who is a liberal is an idiot or fool. The racism, and homophobia promis1 espouses galls me. if you want to live in all-white area, that's fine, but when you say those are the only good areas, and anywhere else with a even a bit of diversity just sucks you're going to **** people off. Sometimes I think that is the exact reaction promis1 is going for.

[bungalowdweller]

Originally Posted by Mister Mappy

Basically it seems like anyone who is a liberal is an idoit or fool.

That's exactly how I feel when everyone says that anyone who is conservative is a bigot, a racist, is ignorant, or stupid.

I think people would be alot happier if they just agree to disagree. Liberalism and conservatism are based upon constructs that are diametrically opposed to one another. If people can simply agree to disagree, the world would be a much more civil place.

[ajolotl]

I've never seen it this way, have found both compelling and specious arguments on both sides of the liberal/conservative debate. Therefore I try to consider every argument case by case and not in the context of some idealogy.

Originally Posted by bungalowdweller

Liberalism and conservatism are based upon constructs that are diametrically opposed to one another.

[promis1]

Originally Posted by aragx6

And to you this is OK. For a black person to walk into town and for everyone to immediately assume that they are there to commit a crime, even though far more blacks are NOT criminals than are.

That is what bothers me maybe more than anything else you've said. That you see no problem whatsoever with judging someone based entirely on skin color alone.

Being that there is a 99% chance that they do not reside there, will make you wonder what they are doing there. It is the same way when a white person walks down Cicero/madison or anywhere on the westside. The police will stop the white and question what they are doing here- knowing that the white most likely does not live in this area.

[promis1]

Originally Posted by Mister Mappy

Oak Park, hands down. Park Ridge has some great homes in it, and a nice downtown, but it's a relatively boring area, and its neighboring areas (Edison Park in Chicago, and Niles) are pretty much the same. It would also take a lot longer from Park Ridge than Oak Park to get downtown. Plus Oak Park has 24 public transportation, whereas Park Ridge does not. I've heard many good things about Oak Park-River Forest HS, so I'm sure the schools are relatively similar education wise. I don't think I want to live in a place like Park Ridge, where you're looked at suspiciously for not being white.

First of all, compare the 2 high schools on schooldigger.com. Park Ridge blows Oak Park away. And how do you figure that Park Ridge is much farther away from downtown compared to Oak Park. Park Ridge is located just off the 90 as Oak Park is right off the 290. And Edison park is hardly boring. Have you ever gone to the numerous happening bars and restaraunts there. The Edison park fest is crazy.

[meatpuff]

Looks like most of the hub-bub has quieted down now. Before this ruckus started, I had resurrected this thread with post #80 and briefly we had a useful discussion going. Refer back to there if you want to continue it.

[promis1]

Originally Posted by bungalowdweller

Crime is up everywhere. Oak Park is as safe as it gets for an urbanized area.

Elmwood Park is as urban, if not more than Oak Park- and is much safer. No comparison.

[johnm68]

First of all, compare the 2 high schools on schooldigger.com. Park Ridge blows Oak Park away. And how do you figure that Park Ridge is much farther away from downtown compared to Oak Park. Park Ridge is located just off the 90 as Oak Park is right off the 290. And Edison park is hardly boring. Have you ever gone to the numerous happening bars and restaraunts there. The Edison park fest is crazy.

There's 2 high schools in Park Ridge--Maine South and Maine East. I think one is considerably better than the other (not sure which--I think SOuth), so it kind of depends where you live. Oak Park is still a good high school.

Park Ridge is further from downtown than Oak Park--it's about a 7 or 8 mile shot on the Eisenhower from Oak Park. It's about 12-13 miles from Park Ridge to downtown. Plus, Oak Park has 2 el lines as well as the metra.

Finally, I've been to all of the restaurants in Edison Park--some are great, some ok. But I like them, I like the neighborhood, and I enjoyed living there. I've also been to Edison Park fest. Standing around in a parking lot, on a hot day drinking beer is not as much fun as it was when I was 18. I agree, though, it can get crazy--in the sense of drunk ****heads getting in fist fights. Frankly, the last few years I lived there, the fest--especially at night--seemed to be kind of a reunion for older white gangbangers---a lot of Gaylord, Royals and Popes tattoos being flashed around.

[promis1]

Originally Posted by BRU67

The big difference between the two communities, though, is that the whites moving into Berwyn (about 50% of the buyers and rising per a recent realtor survey) are often moving here from City neighborhoods or Oak Park and don't care that it's 50% Hispanic. If anything, many of them even consider that a plus because it represents diversity. Can you say the same about the Caucasian population of Elmwood Park? Your post answers that question in the negative. As such, I'd be more worried about white flight and the resulting instability in Elmwood Park than I would in Berwyn.

Elmwood Parks new buyers are comprised of at least 50% white people. Many Polish and other Eastern Europeans, along with some Italian Americans still buying here. In fact, I had 3 Italian American friends buy their first home here last year. White flight may kick in here, but in this housing market- no one is going anywhere fast- unless they foreclose.