which counts more in chicago, race or class? (neighborhoods, live)

[Chicago South Sider]

Originally Posted by aragx6

What are you talking about?

My entire point was that historically, blacks have such a higher rate of poverty in America than their white counterparts do that it would be unfair to blacks and other minorities to make it all out to be about class.

Your class very much determines your opportunities in life, but until your odds of being in a lower class are in no way related to the race you happen to be born in, race will continue to always be an incredibly important factor in America.

So let's recap, shall we? I agree with you, you attack me. I defend my point, you call me a racist. Well done.

[j_cat]

Chicago has very little classism compared to other areas like the east coast. It really just doesn't matter what you do or how important you are. No one cares. It's that simple.

As for race, Chicago is refreshingly free of the toxic identity politics that plague other cities. Hispanics are highly assimilated and whites mix freely with them. Blacks, though segregated, seem to have less of a ghetto mentality than in other cities like Washington (crime rates notwithstanding), in part because that attitude is simply not tolerated here. Whites are pretty typical, maybe a little prouder and less apologetic than in other big cities, but they also don't seethe with hatred and bitterness the way I saw (some, not most) whites do back in Phoenix. The various "other" races are a small and generally very warm and pleasant minority.

I think what counts most in Chicago is behavior/personality. This town favors the quiet and calm. Which I love because that's exactly how I am.

[jasper12]

Money. When you walk into a store, I can judge the clothes you are wearing in a nano second. I can tell a person with casual money to spend, from one with alot of money to spend, just by the jeans, the purse, the shoes, and the jewelery, and how the kids are dressed, and the type of stroller you are pushing. Those are things I am assessing, not your race, or level of education....

[urza216]

Originally Posted by j_cat

Chicago has very little classism compared to other areas like the east coast. It really just doesn't matter what you do or how important you are. No one cares. It's that simple.

As for race, Chicago is refreshingly free of the toxic identity politics that plague other cities. Hispanics are highly assimilated and whites mix freely with them. Blacks, though segregated, seem to have less of a ghetto mentality than in other cities like Washington (crime rates notwithstanding), in part because that attitude is simply not tolerated here. Whites are pretty typical, maybe a little prouder and less apologetic than in other big cities, but they also don't seethe with hatred and bitterness the way I saw (some, not most) whites do back in Phoenix. The various "other" races are a small and generally very warm and pleasant minority.

I think what counts most in Chicago is behavior/personality. This town favors the quiet and calm. Which I love because that's exactly how I am.

This is an interesting perspective..

Originally Posted by jasper12

Money. When you walk into a store, I can judge the clothes you are wearing in a nano second. I can tell a person with casual money to spend, from one with alot of money to spend, just by the jeans, the purse, the shoes, and the jewelery, and how the kids are dressed, and the type of stroller you are pushing. Those are things I am assessing, not your race, or level of education....

This doesn't work as well as you think. A lot of people try to give the appearance of having more wealth than they actually do. Sometimes wealthier people even try to give the appearance of having less wealth than they actually do. Sometimes upper middle class GUYS just don't care much about their clothes.

[DC's Finest]

J cat,

You post is way off base. Blacks in DC are more affluent than Blacks in Chicago. Thus your ghetto reference is moot.

[j_cat]

Originally Posted by DC's Finest

J cat,

You post is way off base. Blacks in DC are more affluent than Blacks in Chicago. Thus your ghetto reference is moot.

I was talking about attitude, and I realize that it's ironic. I was side-by-side with some rather affluent people in DC who did not carry themselves with much dignity at all.

[j_cat]

Originally Posted by DC's Finest

J cat,

You post is way off base. Blacks in DC are more affluent than Blacks in Chicago. Thus your ghetto reference is moot.

I can't help but think of insane Marion Barry's ongoing popularity, versus the way that self-respecting Fenty was practically drummed out of town.

And then think of the impeccable classiness of Harold Washington. And how, for better and for worse, Chicago would have tolerated nothing less from a black mayor.

It's also tempting to take credit for Obama, but obviously he was just raised right.

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by urza216

No, but if money that used to go to buying groceries is now being used to pay the higher cost of rent, it becomes harder to eat.

gtfo of the neighborhood then. Move somewhere you can afford. Rather than get ****** that I can't afford to live in Old Town, I move somewhere I can afford. Or, I make plans on how to get more money to live in Old Town.

[Humboldt1]

Was Harold Washington that classy?

[Chicago South Sider]

Originally Posted by Humboldt1

Was Harold Washington that classy?

Was Richard Daley II that classy?