Race in NE Columbia - hitting to close to home (Lexington: movie theater, gated)

[davey123]

Originally Posted by jkwing

When my wife and I go to the movies at Sandhill, we will only go to a show that gets out before 7 pm, as after that there seems to be a large number of teens, again mostly black hanging out at the shops and on the streets, makes it a bit uncomfortable walking the mall or going to or from your car.

I'm curious, is it the presence of a larger number of mostly black teens hanging out at the shops and on the streets that make you feel uncomfortable, or are they actually doing something to you that makes you feel uncomfortable? Again, I'm just curious.

[jkwing]

they are not doing anything to us or making any gestures about us, it is just the presence of so many teens. I have never experienced being in an area where there are a substantial amount of teens, whether they be black or white, just hanging out on the street corners

[Woodlands]

One of the challenges that I see in the NE is that many of the subdivisions are just crammed together along cul de sacs.. there is little open space and/or programmed park space to provide recreational outlets for teens. Some developments have pools/tennis courts and of course the residents pay for them.. others dont. The challenge is what are these teens going to do during the summers when they live in the back of a sprawling subdivision with little or no opens space or programmed activities??? Granted the foundation of this is parents need to be involved and responsible for their children..etc etc....but at the same time the community should take an interest in providing constructive activities for teens/ youth. That seems problematic in some of these sprawling developments which leads youth to their own divices. I have ridden through some developments in the NE and and seen scores of idle teens moving about the community.. That in and of itself is not an issue.. but when I hear about problems with teens arising from these same neighborhoods then I often wonder if there is a connection between some of the 'negative' behavior and lack of access or availability of activities in which to engage them, parental control notwithstanding??????

[jkwing]

My wife and I bowl on a bowling league on Sunday nights at the local bowling ally. There are 32 lanes with 4 people per lane so that figures to be about 128 bowlers plus those that are just hanging out. Out of the aprox 150 people in the bowling ally I would say that there are 20 whites and about 130 blacks, a little lopsided if you ask me. Never felt like the minority till I moved to Columbia.

[davey123]

Originally Posted by jkwing

My wife and I bowl on a bowling league on Sunday nights at the local bowling ally. There are 32 lanes with 4 people per lane so that figures to be about 128 bowlers plus those that are just hanging out. Out of the aprox 150 people in the bowling ally I would say that there are 20 whites and about 130 blacks, a little lopsided if you ask me. Never felt like the minority till I moved to Columbia.

Okay Jkwing, you know that I have to ask: Did you have fun last night when you were bowling? Or, did the lopsided racial composition of the bowlers negatively affect your game (and your bowling experience)?

[jkwing]

we had a good time, enjoying bowling has nothing to do with race, I just find it odd the difference in black to white in the NE part of town. I have a good time bowling, no matter who is there

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by jkwing

My wife and I bowl on a bowling league on Sunday nights at the local bowling ally. There are 32 lanes with 4 people per lane so that figures to be about 128 bowlers plus those that are just hanging out. Out of the aprox 150 people in the bowling ally I would say that there are 20 whites and about 130 blacks, a little lopsided if you ask me. Never felt like the minority till I moved to Columbia.

Now you know what it feels like to be a minority. As a gay man I can tell you what it feels like to be a minority 24/7/364. The 365th day is gay pride day. It really bothers me that someone thinks it's a problem to have only been one of 20 out of 150. Richland is a very diverse county, whether you live in the city or in the suburbs. I think that is a huge strength, to be honest with you.

[davey123]

Originally Posted by jkwing

we had a good time, enjoying bowling has nothing to do with race, I just find it odd the difference in black to white in the NE part of town. I have a good time bowling, no matter who is there

I guess you are making my point. If you are having a good time, then maybe the racial composition of the people around you should be irrelevant, not odd. I am a person of color. Believe me, my whole life experience has been one of racial imbalance when it comes to the racial composition of the people around me. This is such a non-issue for me. It is disconcerting that it cannot be for others. I would have to agree with waccamatt that this greater level of diversity in Columbia is a strength, not a deficit.

[Tennesseestorm]

Well, hopefully it was an isolated incident.

[Woodlands]

NE Cola is probably one of the most diverse sections of the midlands... You can by a home from just under $100k to $300K to $500k and beyond...it is also in very close to Ft. Jackson which in and of itself will bring a wide array of families from diverse backgrounds.. and many of the schools are ranked highly. .There are plenty of apts rental homes with rents that run from being "affordable" to beyond not to mention localized shopping centers and entertainment draws like the Village. So all of these factors influence the reason why people move up there and why it is so diverse racially and economically.

Jkwing the other question you may want to ask yourself if for the 130 or so blacks that were there.. maybe they are in a league also or part of some church or social group that meets there...you did mention that you were in a league maybe they are as well???? The important thing as you indicated is everyone came to bowl.. so atleast that is something everyone had in common...