East Garfield Park, is it all that bad? Do you see potential? (Chicago: apartments, hotels)

[EddieOlSkool]

Originally Posted by IrishIllini

Quite a few generalizations you've thrown together here. Attitudes like this are what makes people feel justified in being racist.

I know. I am just posting my own observations. I think in general Latino bangers are less afraid of Whites than Blacks in general. Your experiences might differ however.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by IrishIllini

Quite a few generalizations you've thrown together here. Attitudes like this are what makes people feel justified in being racist.

PC culture has brainwashed us otherwise but stereotypes exist for a reason. And when you're getting down with the streets you will see certain patterns develop, and you will heed them or you'll get smashed down. I think that's all he's saying here.

I used to be very liberal too and at one time I would have been appalled over someone summarizing a culture like this also. But living in places like early Logan Square, early Uptown, and Berwyn sucked that out of me, LOL! I wouldn't say I'm right wing or anything but I am much more of a practical realist now.

[EddieOlSkool]

All I am saying is tread carefully. Stop thinking that just because minorities are disadvantaged that you can walk through the hood with your head high and treat it like home. That is all that needs to be understood. Honestly I would rather someone be a bit passively racist when moving into the hood than be gullible and stupid. I am not White and I did not vote for Trump. It's one of those "if you had to choose between two bad options" scenarios. Obviously as a not very White male I would rather people choose to not be racist (especially since I love White women) but if it helps to save your wallet and personal well being to be more cautious around certain groups then I have no personal issue with it myself. Being actively racist is much different on the other hand.

It's called "don't be a bleeding heart". That doesn't help anyone when moving to the hood. No one saying go out and lynch people. What we are saying is some areas are less safe for Whites because of race. And heck, I may even agree that Whites could even be the cause of said sentiments but that doesn't help Amy from Indiana or Tim from Ohio navigate their new surroundings. Nobody is saying go out and lynch people ffs. It's more "hey! These people are rougher, tougher, and you probably won't be celebrated for moving in so be careful". That is it. Quit being so easily triggered.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by EddieOlSkool

Thanks. I am a liberal myself but I didn't really grow up like a sheltered White kid. I didn't grow up hood by any means but South Chicago is somewhat rough. And after a few bad incidents (none that were news worthy) I learned it is best to know your place in a bad area. The last thing you want to do in the hood is act overconfident or like you know the place or like it's even your own. You could grow up in the hood and a cocky attitude still gets you killed. Killers respect the hood because the hood kills the killers. But so many kids think that by virtue of living somewhere that they should have respect. No. The hood is one place where you learn quickly to pick your battles. Hint: it means pick none. Stupid hood kids get shot over the most trivial thing.

White kids should just come in to Chicago knowing to be seen but not heard. Also Latinos have a very different worldview from Blacks. Blacks can be very mistrusting of Whites but for the most part live with a fear of "don't catch a case over a White person because the justice system is stacked up against you". Latinos on the other hand do not live in fear of White people. To many of them Whites are easy targets and soft. Latino men especially look at White men as very beta male types.

Latino men tend to be very macho, boisterous and gruff, particularly Puerto Rican men. Then moving into their 'hood you have the quiet white first wave gentrifier, what with his skinny jeans, glasses, mustasche, fixed gear bike, and other appurtances of hipsterdom. Definitely presents a recipe for some hijinks. You could almost do a sitcom on it if you had a dark sense of humour!

[xsboost]

Originally Posted by BRU67

But living in places like early Logan Square, early Uptown, and Berwyn sucked that out of me, LOL! I wouldn't say I'm right wing or anything but I am much more of a practical realist now.

What do you consider as early Uptown?

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by xsboost

What do you consider as early Uptown?

c. 1997-98.

[xsboost]

Originally Posted by BRU67

c. 1997-98.

Gotcha. Still sketchy at that point, but not as bad as it was before. I know a guy who told me he and his friends thought Lawrence and Broadway was like the ghetto. This was 2002/2003. I laughed.

[EddieOlSkool]

Originally Posted by xsboost

Gotcha. Still sketchy at that point, but not as bad as it was before. I know a guy who told me he and his friends thought Lawrence and Broadway was like the ghetto. This was 2002/2003. I laughed.

Wilson and Broadway is thought of as hood by many North Siders. Malden, Seminary, and other streets have pockets of high gang activity. At least in 2006 this was still the case. The Blackstones were very active back then and not sure about now.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by xsboost

Gotcha. Still sketchy at that point, but not as bad as it was before. I know a guy who told me he and his friends thought Lawrence and Broadway was like the ghetto. This was 2002/2003. I laughed.

It was decidedly sketch. I was paying $300 a month for an apartment next to a crack house on Beacon near Lawrence. I've driven by it recently it's all fancy schmancy now. Almost snobbish. Crack house clean and lovingly restored into yuppie condos. But back then it was 'hood.

[xsboost]

Originally Posted by EddieOlSkool

Wilson and Broadway is thought of as hood by many North Siders.

Heh, just the transplants. I went to Arai middle school on Wilson, just east of Sheridan. Even as kids we all knew the area was bad, but not ghetto bad.

Originally Posted by BRU67

I've driven by it recently it's all fancy schmancy now. Almost snobbish. Crack house clean and lovingly restored into yuppie condos. But back then it was 'hood.

Yup. Blew my mind when I saw an upscale brewery/restaurant (Band of Bohemia?) open.