Segregation in Chicago (Bridgeport: incomes, stores, rich)

[mmcgirk3]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Specifics far above and beyond what you're quoting anecdotally would help. For all we know the yahoos in the bleachers aren't even Chicagoans, or at least aren't native Chicagoans.

I'm 37 - all of my schooling was done in integrated settings, and like most of my native friends here, while in general I have more friends who share my skin color, I have friends across the entire spectrum - and I don't think being one of those weirdos who seeks out people of a different race to prove to themselves they aren't racist is really healthy.

I totally agree with most of what you said. You were raised and/or schooled in a pretty integrated setting. My wife, who was raised just a few blocks outside the city proper went to a high school that had approximately 10 blacks in the entire senoir class. They were called every racist slur in the book--behind their backs.
My barber Jim on the other hand is another example. He went to a predominently black school in The City. He has told me viewpoints of how blacks view many Chicagoans as "liberal racists" If you don't know what he means, you'd better open your eyes and ears a little wider my friend.
It's closer than you think. Chicago is not the true melting pot that you think it to be.

[Surfindude]

Originally Posted by mmcgirk3

Let's just get real for a second. It wasn't that many years ago the great Martin Luther King Jr. called Chicago the "most racially divided city in America." What did THAT even mean????
To even THINK that racism issues in Chicago have been resolved is ignorant. Chicago, like all other big cities in America, have many many racist people from all ethnic groups. It's just a fact. Obviously I'm not painting all Chicagoans with the same brush. But this has been well documented throughout Chicago history. You don't have to look far. Hate crimes reported in the Trib nearly every month. Bleacher bums hurling racial slants at Wrigley. Just ask any cab driver about the # of racists in the Chicago area.

And this is different how from any other place in the US? And, your two examples do not a city make.

[mimi1988]

Originally Posted by wpcp

segregation can also happen because the people choose to.we did an experienment in school, where we had a remeber were everyone at lunch sat and group them. it was pretty much all grouped on race, like the black table, the hispanic table the hispanic table and two whites. the white table. the sports table. also it was grouped on grade. like seniors table, juniors tables, sophmore tables, freshman tables. there was only one table (well three that were pushed together) that was diverse, other then the sports table, but that doesnt caught. and we noticed that like 80-90% of the students, in my 900 stundent school, chose to not eat lunch with their race.

Yeah, I agree. We all tend to gravitate more to ppl who look like us, or who share some common interest or beliefs. I don't have a problem being amongst other races, but if I had an option to sit next to a group of ppl who were all Asian and another group who were all black, I would (with out a doubt) sit at the table with the blacks. Because that's where I feel most accepted.

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by deechee

Back to the original question:

No: There are places where all races live together, but it seems that one race always ends up taking over, so true diversity is never acheived.

Yes: Many minorities feel unwelcome in homogeneous areas, so they tend to avoid shopping, dining, or living there. I certainly do in areas like Mt. Greenwood, and certain parts of Beverly. However, some minorities brag about being able to go into those areas...they consider it some kind of status.

Beverly is nice and enough blacks there to not feel uncomfortable.

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by mmcgirk3

I totally agree with most of what you said. You were raised and/or schooled in a pretty integrated setting. My wife, who was raised just a few blocks outside the city proper went to a high school that had approximately 10 blacks in the entire senoir class. They were called every racist slur in the book--behind their backs.
My barber Jim on the other hand is another example. He went to a predominently black school in The City. He has told me viewpoints of how blacks view many Chicagoans as "liberal racists" If you don't know what he means, you'd better open your eyes and ears a little wider my friend.
It's closer than you think. Chicago is not the true melting pot that you think it to be.

What decade was this when your wife was called every racial slur in the high school? Nowadays, A good portion of Chicago inner ring burbs are not white majority. Not many high schools left in Cook County with a 80% or greater white student body. Matter of fact Cook County in general is 45% white. And can you explain Liberal racist? I'm black myself and I heard a similar statement before from another black person.

[Huckleberry3911948]

when the black and white people rise up together against the real enemy-- hatred violence and drugs---the wall will collapse.
where do the children play, cats stevens sing it.

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by noid_1985

I know people from Roseland who look down Englewood. Roseland still has a few decent blocks from 99th to 103rd (Fernwood) and Princeton Park areas. Interesting that Roseland is 98% black, yet well up until the mid- 70s it was overwhelmingly white.

I had an Italian gym teacher said he's from Roseland. Of course he over 50 years old. Lets just say whites left in a hurry. Its crazy how demographic of a neighborhood did a 360 within 10 years or so.

Harvey surpassed 50% black by the mid or late 70s. My mother went to Thornton High school, and even she said the high school was already at least 50% black when she graduated in the late 70s.

[mas23]

Originally Posted by Chicagoland60426

What decade was this when your wife was called every racial slur in the high school? Nowadays, A good portion of Chicago inner ring burbs are not white majority. Not many high schools left in Cook County with a 80% or greater white student body. Matter of fact Cook County in general is 45% white. And can you explain Liberal racist? I'm black myself and I heard a similar statement before from another black person.

I know u didnt ask me but I guess my example of a liberal racist would be a working blue collar 50 year old man who votes democrat on every election but is prejudice of blacks/minorities because

a. they are taking jobs
b. has had bad expiriences with them
c. Thats just how he was raised
d. he sees alot of minorities getting public aid and cant stand it because he thinks that they are not busting their butt to get a piece of the pie just like what he and his parents/grandparents did before him. How ever he voets democrat just because he still sees that they will support union workers and all that stuff ( that's another topic tho')

just my guess/example
im black also and ive heard that word so many many time from other black people and even some politicians also

-mas23-

[mmcgirk3]

Originally Posted by mas23

I know u didnt ask me but I guess my example of a liberal racist would be a working blue collar 50 year old man who votes democrat on every election but is prejudice of blacks/minorities because

a. they are taking jobs
b. has had bad expiriences with them
c. Thats just how he was raised
d. he sees alot of minorities getting public aid and cant stand it because he thinks that they are not busting their butt to get a piece of the pie just like what he and his parents/grandparents did before him. How ever he voets democrat just because he still sees that they will support union workers and all that stuff ( that's another topic tho')

just my guess/example
im black also and ive heard that word so many many time from other black people and even some politicians also

-mas23-

Pretty much an accurate depiction of alot of folks from bigger cities like Chicago, San Francisco, and other "liberal minded" cities. Again, it's not the entire city to blame, there are plenty of tolerant people in America and those who are color blind.
But these lame excuses from previous posters.... like "two examples does not a city make" Come on man. I could obviously start listing examples of racism I've seen in this city from now until next Monday, and you guys still wouldn't be satisfied with me labeling Chicago as a city with alot of closet racists. You have your minds made up that Chicago is a utopia of tolerant liberals who love their brother and are kind to dumb animals. Maybe you have to commute all over the city every single day like I do to see it in abundance.

[deechee]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

I think if you said one economic class ends up taking over that would be more accurate. I love my neighborhood's diversity, the fact that even though the larger neighborhood is probably 60% Hispanic isn't accurate of my immediate pocket, I love that my daughter gets to see and talk to and play with all sorts of different kids and their parents - the only group of people I don't see represented are Indians and middle-easterners in general, but if you go a little bit north you'll see them.

The "race" that often takes over the way I think you are describing is yuppies in Lincoln Park - but as an Irish guy, I don't consider these culture-less consumers "my" people, even when we share ancestry - way too many white people have completely forgotten their roots, as evidenced by a horrible addiction for fake Irish pubs.

Well I'm sure glad you kinda understood what I was talking about and didn't scream at me . I understand totally, I consider myself middle class and I am very into curb appeal, quiet living and the like, but once I see someone move in next door who obviously doesn't care or cannot care for their home properly, has friends who don't care about the neighborhood, and stand around talking outside loud, etc. I feel uncomfortable.

Originally Posted by Chicagoland60426

Beverly is nice and enough blacks there to not feel uncomfortable.

Remember, I lived there. I sure felt the tension. Maybe the blacks there haven't mentioned anything to -you.-