Moving to Denver ....?'s on Racism (Aurora: statistics, suburbs, racist)

[HereinDenver]

Glad you can join our community Stromaple! You'll love it here. I went back to NYC last year, man, I don't miss it at all. The weather here is millions of times better.

[wanttomoveeast]

I am so glad you are coming. I was very happy to meet you. I didn't get to talk to you a lot because of where we were sitting, so I hope you'll come to more get togethers.

Remember, this is just a forum, and while yes, most of us live here, it can't completely represent what Denver is. I do admit that the racism here is not even remotely close to the South or certain areas in L.A.

Originally Posted by stromaple

I know there is racism everywhere. What I meant is that we need to make sure we educate people about derogatory remarks they may make it help them enter the 21st century.

We have made our decision and will be there in July!

[stromaple]

Thanks! We will definitely be at more get-togethers once we're out there...and I will have a job as of Friday at 3:01 p.m. Yes, I can predict the future!

[wanttomoveeast]

omg when will I win the lotto???

Hope to see you soon. Safe travels.

[100%truth]

Denever,CO is in a state of denial on the issues of being full of racial prejudice. It's a city that is very deceptive with it's so called "diversity in culture". If you move here you will not only notice that you are a minority but, you will feel and experience every alphabet of the word minority as an African American in Denver,CO. Whites in Denver will not relate to the AA experience because, there is absolutely no real emphasis on AA culture here. In Denver AA's are severely stereotyped by what has been presented to them through t.v., media,bias opinions etc. So when you strive to be recognized as an individual and not a stereotypical AA in Denver,CO good luck because, the glass ceiling is set just a little bit lower for AA's in Denver. In closing whites in Denver are unwilling to fully understand and accept the AA differences as a race of people.

[cowboyxjon]

Originally Posted by 100%truth

Denever,CO is in a state of denial on the issues of being full of racial prejudice. It's a city that is very deceptive with it's so called "diversity in culture". If you move here you will not only notice that you are a minority but, you will feel and experience every alphabet of the word minority as an African American in Denver,CO. Whites in Denver will not relate to the AA experience because, there is absolutely no real emphasis on AA culture here. In Denver AA's are severely stereotyped by what has been presented to them through t.v., media,bias opinions etc. So when you strive to be recognized as an individual and not a stereotypical AA in Denver,CO good luck because, the glass ceiling is set just a little bit lower for AA's in Denver. In closing whites in Denver are unwilling to fully understand and accept the AA differences as a race of people.

too bad i can't give negative reputation points.

[CareuhAK]

Originally Posted by wanttomoveeast

... I do feel anger towards whites who pronounce that racism is gone. I wonder, how the heck would they know???

Obviously, when you haven't experienced or contributed in discrimination or hate, you won't be very aware of it. So for 'whites' who are not immersed in areas or circles that experience overt racism, obviously they could be unaware or optimistic. Of course, racism can be found in every population, and even in areas of homogenous 'racial' background, hateful distinctions are made based on family heritage, affiliation, etc., and to assume the world is a perfect and tolerant place does bespeak of a somewhat ignorant individual. Still, in response to your labeling, does my 'whiteness' make me any less able to be a logical person capable of being sensitive or aware of complex issues? Does being in a racial majority make me racist or ignorant or culturally unaware? If so, sounds like you are assuming things based on another person's race. What does that make you?

[D-town 720]

Originally Posted by 100%truth

Denever,CO is in a state of denial on the issues of being full of racial prejudice. It's a city that is very deceptive with it's so called "diversity in culture". If you move here you will not only notice that you are a minority but, you will feel and experience every alphabet of the word minority as an African American in Denver,CO. Whites in Denver will not relate to the AA experience because, there is absolutely no real emphasis on AA culture here. In Denver AA's are severely stereotyped by what has been presented to them through t.v., media,bias opinions etc. So when you strive to be recognized as an individual and not a stereotypical AA in Denver,CO good luck because, the glass ceiling is set just a little bit lower for AA's in Denver. In closing whites in Denver are unwilling to fully understand and accept the AA differences as a race of people.

I am not sure you know much about Denver's emphasis on AA culture. The MLK marade every year draws roughly 30k people and a black arts festival that is quite large.

Also, the five points neighborhood has been historically a black neighborhood since the 1930's.


Five Points for some is considered the "Harlem of the West" due to its long jazz history. It was the first predominantly African-American neighborhood in Denver. In the '30s, '40s and '50s, it was home to over fifty bars and clubs, where some of the greatest jazz musicians ever, such as Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis and others played.

Today, Five Points' African-American heritage is celebrated by the Black American West Museum and Heritage Center in the neighborhood, as well as the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library. A number of African-American churches and businesses are still landmarks in the community Denver's Juneteenth festival draws over 100,000 people every year. It starts at Manual High School and goes down to Welton Street in Five Points where thousands of vendors sell merchandise and street performers perform. The African-American community of Denver often considers Five Points, also known as the Eastside, to be its historic center and symbol. Former Denver mayor Wellington Webb, an African-American, was dubbed by the community to be the "Mayor of Five Points." Despite this recognition, Five Points statistically no longer is a predominantly African-American community, though it is often thought to be by residents of the metro area.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Points,_Denver

[miche111e]

We just moved from Parker 2 months ago. While I found the majority of people to be open-minded, I did hear some disparaging remarks about Mexicans. Many people think all hispanics are illegal aliens out there. Also, my friends in Parker hated to go to Aurora because "that's where the gangs are". It was like an invisible line into Parker...as soon as you enter, it's very homogeneous.

I feel like there's more "classism" than racism out there.

[wanttomoveeast]

Because these whites are "unaware or optimistic" is exactly why I feel anger when they pronounce racism is over. If you don't know what you are talking about, then better to keep one's mouth closed.

To answer your questions, first let me ask what "labeling" you are referring to since you have not specified. I think before I type and am often careful about not making generalizations but attempt to make my point using specific instances.

Originally Posted by CareuhAK

Does my 'whiteness' make me any less able to be a logical person capable of being sensitive or aware of complex issues?

Of course not. That's a ridiculous question. Your whiteness does however, exempt you from understanding truly what the life of a black person is like. Exactly the same as me not understanding what a white (or fill in the blank) person's life is like.

Originally Posted by CareuhAK

Does being in a racial majority make me racist or ignorant or culturally unaware?

Again, are you for real?? Why do you make the assumption that because you are in a majority group you are racist? Why on earth would you assume anyone (incl. me thinks that way?).

Originally Posted by CareuhAK

If so, sounds like you are assuming things based on another person's race.

I still really don't know what "assumptions" you are acusing me of. Most of my statements come from personal experience.

Originally Posted by CareuhAK

What does that make you?

It makes me a thinking, thoughtful, educated person.

Sorry, but your post reminds me of the ignorance that is filled in this country and often annoys me. The inability to at the very least have empathy for other persons in this world is apparent in posts like this. Not everyone was born in the cushy, posh, privileged majority like you, and you might fare better at least to try to understand.

Mind you, I don't walk around thinking about these issues, and I've never used my minority status as a means of claiming some type of disability. It's simply who I am.

The point of this thread was a person asking about racism in Denver. None of your post responds to that but rather blathers on about pointless accusations.

Originally Posted by CareuhAK

Obviously, when you haven't experienced or contributed in discrimination or hate, you won't be very aware of it. So for 'whites' who are not immersed in areas or circles that experience overt racism, obviously they could be unaware or optimistic. Of course, racism can be found in every population, and even in areas of homogenous 'racial' background, hateful distinctions are made based on family heritage, affiliation, etc., and to assume the world is a perfect and tolerant place does bespeak of a somewhat ignorant individual. Still, in response to your labeling, does my 'whiteness' make me any less able to be a logical person capable of being sensitive or aware of complex issues? Does being in a racial majority make me racist or ignorant or culturally unaware? If so, sounds like you are assuming things based on another person's race. What does that make you?