Race in NE Columbia - hitting to close to home (North: living in, pollution)

[ocsanders]

Originally Posted by Akhenaton06

There was nothing remotely progressive about the Duke lacrosse rape case. And that's just for starters.

Is that really your response? You're using an example incorrectly for your analogy. That case is not remotely representative of the area OR the University (not to mention these kids are even FROM Durham, RTP or NC for that matter). This is a typical example of people extrapolating isolated incidents and displacing to the whole.

Seriously, get a clue. Have you EVER lived in the area? Or are you making statements from afar? Did you attend Duke University (as I did), or are you reaching to make baseless claims? Seriously. Stop now. I'd be willing to agree to disagree. I think the area is one of the most progressive in the South; you (for some reason) think it's stuck in 1878. But really, I cannot concede to someone who is throwing flames without full knowledge of the subject.

Sorry to derail this thread, but really, this is just another example of the unbending thinking that separates us as a society. Sigh. The worse part is you'll likely try to come back with some snarky, completely off-base comment and continue to remain clueless on how your thinking contributes to the very essence of the issue presented in this thread.

[pvjd]

Originally Posted by Ihatethisplace

I don't understand why you and some of the others on this thread are harassing him? If you find this sort of thing "pretty unbelievable" then I invite you to West Texas and Baton Rouge, to name a few of the many places we've lived, to know that this is more than believable, it is reality!

I am harassing the text of the words in front of me. People do not stand outside in groups in suburban neighborhoods and harrass passing motorists for the color of their skin. That is something dreamed up to scare white people who are already afraid of nonwhites. The person, I do not know, so I am not harassing him.

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by ocsanders

Is that really your response? You're using an example incorrectly for your analogy. That case is not remotely representative of the area OR the University (not to mention these kids are even FROM Durham, RTP or NC for that matter). This is a typical example of people extrapolating isolated incidents and displacing to the whole.

Seriously, get a clue. Have you EVER lived in the area? Or are you making statements from afar? Did you attend Duke University (as I did), or are you reaching to make baseless claims? Seriously. Stop now. I'd be willing to agree to disagree. I think the area is one of the most progressive in the South; you (for some reason) think it's stuck in 1878. But really, I cannot concede to someone who is throwing flames without full knowledge of the subject.

Sorry to derail this thread, but really, this is just another example of the unbending thinking that separates us as a society. Sigh. The worse part is you'll likely try to come back with some snarky, completely off-base comment and continue to remain clueless on how your thinking contributes to the very essence of the issue presented in this thread.

And my point yet stands. Thanks for doing nothing to refute it, which only reinforces MY point.

And you talk about being "progressive" and such and yet you don't have the decency to leave ad hominem attacks out of this. I don't care what you call yourself, there's no way anyone can move beyond anything with that childish attitude. So please stop with all the self-righteous indignation because you're CERTAINLY not doing yourself, or the discussion at hand, any favors here.

But I'll just go ahead and refute your original argument. Someone said, "You think NC is any different than SC in this regard?" in reference to what the OP posted in the initial post in this thread. You disagreed, holding up the Triangle as an example but then said "not accounting for the knuckleheads you'll find anywhere." Well, guess what? The initial post in this thread concerns the "knuckleheads you'll find anywhere." So the point that NC is no different than SC in this regard (that is the key phrase here) is substantiated. End of argument.

[ocsanders]

Oh Akhena,

I wish you the best. As far as your "point standing" I suggested we agree to disagree, yet you prefer to engage in tit for tat. Contributed to my argument you have!

If you actually read the posts in response to what you mention, you would note the hyperbole, which is a gross exaggeration for the sake of argument, if you aren't aware. And everything you've noted since has been completely unrelated as you've taken the hyperbole literally.

Clearly the progression of our "argument" ceased the moment I tried to engage you in dialogue.

I bid you adieu!

[Peachstate01]

Originally Posted by davey123

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.

I don't really think the poster meant any harm is saying "mostly black teens hanging out",they just happen to be black and not "white"

In any case,a bunch or crowd of teens hanging out,regardless of color,and especially late at night,means there up to no good,more often than not.

It's also intimidating to when you are by yourself or even with just one other person and you need to go in the direction where you are confronted by a crow of teens hanging out and don't know what's on there mind.Where maybe one or two might not do anything on there own,they tend to get brazen in a crowd.

I think he raised a very good point.

[waccamatt]

^Why is it necessary to describe people based on their race? How about, "there was a group of teenagers hanging out"?

[Peachstate01]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

^Why is it necessary to describe people based on their race? How about, "there was a group of teenagers hanging out"?

Well,I agree,that is a better way to phrase it,so perhaps those sensitive to everything said or done is about color want get offended.
But as I was saying the poster raised a good point about "teenage gathering"and having that fear or intimidation of not knowing what's on there mind.
Over all though,I think the OP of this thread,just had some unreasonable notion about Columbia's race relations that he should't have had and just got a "rude awakening" with the incident that happened in his neighborhood.

[davey123]

Originally Posted by Peachstate01

Well,I agree,that is a better way to phrase it,so perhaps those sensitive to everything said or done is about color want get offended.
But as I was saying the poster raised a good point about "teenage gathering"and having that fear or intimidation of not knowing what's on there mind.

It is interesting that you bring this point up now, given that this was posted some time ago. However, it does give me an opportunity to clarify any points that you may have about my posting. The post that you are referencing is the following:

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.

To that I responded:

Originally Posted by davey123

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.

In asking that question, I was not being hypersensitive about race. I think that if you read the entire thread, then it would be quite evident what this poster's intentions were when he posted this. It does not take a rocket scientist to deconstruct his motives.

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I have gone to the Village of Sandhills many, many times since the original post - and, I have been there at various times (especially late). Each time that I have gone there, I have always been cognizant of the racial composition of the people there. (This thread was the catalyst for my hypervigilance.) Maybe it was just the luck of the draw, but I have never seen this large gathering of teens more generally, nor a large gathering of Black teens more specifically. In fact, I have seen a larger proportion of White patrons each and every time I have been there. I might add, never once have I felt unsafe.

Now, I say this not to discount the poster's experience. I do wonder, however, if he was not speaking in "code." More specifically, was he really saying that there are more Black people in Columbia than he had anticipated, and that's what has made him uncomfortable? Again, if you read the entire thread, then you will see how that conclusion is easy to draw.

I asked this question before, yet it seems apropos to pose it again. Exactly what proportion of Black people have to be present for some people to feel unsafe? I know that the answer to this question varies widely. For some people it may be 10%, for some 25%, for some 35%, yet for others, they may always be comfortable. However, it is clear that the sheer proportion of Black people in certain areas is enough to make some people feel uncomfortable (and unsafe).

I am a realist. Thus, I have no delusions that the poster was innocently making a comment about a large gathering of teens. Again, you just have to use his own words in this thread to know his true intentions.

I hope that this posting helps clarify my point.

[Peachstate01]

Originally Posted by davey123

It is interesting that you bring this point up now, given that this was posted some time ago. However, it does give me an opportunity to clarify any points that you may have about my posting. The post that you are referencing is the following:



To that I responded:



In asking that question, I was not being hypersensitive about race. I think that if you read the entire thread, then it would be quite evident what this poster's intentions were when he posted this. It does not take a rocket scientist to deconstruct his motives.

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I have gone to the Village of Sandhills many, many times since the original post - and, I have been there at various times (especially late). Each time that I have gone there, I have always been cognizant of the racial composition of the people there. (This thread was the catalyst for my hypervigilance.) Maybe it was just the luck of the draw, but I have never seen this large gathering of teens more generally, nor a large gathering of Black teens more specifically. In fact, I have seen a larger proportion of White patrons each and every time I have been there. I might add, never once have I felt unsafe.

Now, I say this not to discount the poster's experience. I do wonder, however, if he was not speaking in "code." More specifically, was he really saying that there are more Black people in Columbia than he had anticipated, and that's what has made him uncomfortable? Again, if you read the entire thread, then you will see how that conclusion is easy to draw.

I asked this question before, yet it seems apropos to pose it again. Exactly what proportion of Black people have to be present for some people to feel unsafe? I know that the answer to this question varies widely. For some people it may be 10%, for some 25%, for some 35%, yet for others, they may always be comfortable. However, it is clear that the sheer proportion of Black people in certain areas is enough to make some people feel uncomfortable (and unsafe).

I am a realist. Thus, I have no delusions that the poster was innocently making a comment about a large gathering of teens. Again, you just have to use his own words in this thread to know his true intentions.

I hope that this posting helps clarify my point.

Hello,Sir/mam, you don't have to clairfy anything for me or write a book on here to explain yourself either.

Now we are all entitled to our own opinion on here and that includes me as well.In quoting the post and saying what I did about him raising a good point about "teenage gathering"and being afraid or intimidated to pass by such a crowd(whether white or black) was a good point.
Now the fact that you don't like that I said"I don't believe the poster meant any harm in referring to them as "black teens" and you feel the need to "write a book"here to try and explain yourself,is your problem and not mine.
Also,if you are sensitive to people making reference to exactly what they saw(black teens gathering)instead of white ones,that is also an issue within your own self and one you need to deal with.
However,for the record here,let me say this,I was merely saying the poster made a good point and not in anyway accusing you of being racist or sensitive.Sorry you got all of that from my brief post.
Another thing ,Know this,some of the best people I know and associate myself with are blacks,and I as a white guy,know how to "kick it"with the brothers.The only problem I do have is with those who are racist,because thank God,I was notbrought up to hate another race of people because of the color of there skin.

Have a good night Sir/Mam

[davey123]

Originally Posted by Peachstate01

Hello,Sir/mam, you don't have to clairfy anything for me or write a book on here to explain yourself either.

Now we are all entitled to our own opinion on here and that includes me as well.In quoting the post and saying what I did about him raising a good point about "teenage gathering"and being afraid or intimidated to pass by such a crowd(whether white or black) was a good point.
Now the fact that you don't like that I said"I don't believe the poster meant any harm in referring to them as "black teens" and you feel the need to "write a book"here to try and explain yourself,is your problem and not mine.
Also,if you are sensitive to people making reference to exactly what they saw(black teens gathering)instead of white ones,that is also an issue within your own self and one you need to deal with.
However,for the record here,let me say this,I was merely saying the poster made a good point and not in anyway accusing you of being racist or sensitive.Sorry you got all of that from my brief post.
Another thing ,Know this,some of the best people I know and associate myself with are blacks,and I as a white guy,know how to "kick it"with the brothers.The only problem I do have is with those who are racist,because thank God,I was notbrought up to hate another race of people because of the color of there skin.

Have a good night Sir/Mam

You are definitely entitled to your opinion on this topic. Diverse opinions always make the conversation more interesting. However, I think that some clarification is needed if you think that I am sensitive to anything that you or the other poster stated. I am not.

As I indicated earlier, I based my opinion on the entirety of statements that the poster made throughout this thread, not just on the one you referenced. When you read all of his statements, instead of taking one in isolation, then it is easy to discern his true intentions. Those intentions, I would argue, have everything to do with race.

Now, you can disagree with me. That is fine; that is your prerogative. Yet, it is my prerogative to "name" racism when it manifests itself. That is what I did; that is what I will always do.

On another note, you mentioned that you are entitled to your own opinion, and I would add that you are entitled to verbalize it. In that same vein, I am entitled to respond to any post with as lengthy a prose as I choose. That is my prerogative -- and I like exercising my prerogatives.