Racial tension in Chicago?

[mlogan0301]

Originally Posted by ajolotl

Racial composition aside, it is true that Woodlawn does not deserve any kind of exalted status among south side islands of prosperity. Just south of the university is sketchy (but improving rapidly); everything west of cottage though is a complete mess. There are entire blocks of foreclosures and the feeling that young thugs are in charge. I often take 67th street on my way back to beverly from Woodlawn -- I could understand not feeling comfortable there. Nothing in the immediate vicinity of Beverly looks like that at all (referring to discussion in another thread).

Am I assuming correctly that Woodlawn is in close proximity to Beverly?

[ajolotl]

No, it borders Hyde Park, a good 8 miles or so from Beverly.

Originally Posted by mlogan0301

Am I assuming correctly that Woodlawn is in close proximity to Beverly?

[mlogan0301]

oh ok. Thanks

[Nafster]

Originally Posted by mlogan0301

Why is interracial segregation between the north and Southside so prevalent among African-Americans? It is mind-boggling to hear how much the Southside (minus Hyde Park/Beverly/Woodlawn) is degraded and looked down upon by other AA's that live on the Northside or other parts of town. I am wondering if this stems from Chicago's notoriety of being the most segregated city in America, or if there is some other history here that I am missing?

I am looking for solid, constructive answers on why this might be. Again, just very curious, since I move this weekend and just wanted some conversation on the topic from some of you native Chicagoans.

Thanks
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]

I think what you should do is go out and explore all of Chicago. You'll see that there are many integrated neighborhoods even on the southside, like Hyde Park, Bridgeport, and Beverly.

Chicago is very segregated in areas, yes, but the accusations from posters who have spent two days in Chicago that whites don't interact with blacks is hogwash.

[mlogan0301]

Originally Posted by Nafster

I think what you should do is go out and explore all of Chicago. You'll see that there are many integrated neighborhoods even on the southside, like Hyde Park, Bridgeport, and Beverly.

Chicago is very segregated in areas, yes, but the accusations from posters who have spent two days in Chicago that whites don't interact with blacks is hogwash.

I actually was not referring to whites not interacting with whites. I was referring to blacks degrading others blacks based on the side of town they live on.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by mlogan0301

I actually was not referring to whites not interacting with whites. I was referring to blacks degrading others blacks based on the side of town they live on.

How much time have you actually spent here? Because your insistence on this lazy, reductionist view in light of repeatedly being told that there's way more to it than that is kind of annoying. It's like you've got it all figured out and you don't even live here yet.