Is there racism in Denver? What's it really like? Please read if you live/lived in Denver Co.

[piperspal]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

I would challenge this family to simply live their life wherever they choose to live, now or in the future, regardless of what everybody else looks like. I honestly don't think this family has anything to worry about in Denver, as far as "feeling comfortable" goes, I've always said anybody can make it/get along just fine in Denver.

Your entire post was great; I just highlighted that sentence because it is what I would want my nieces & nephews to do as the years march forward.
The oldest has children of her own now and is in a bi-racial marriage. They are living the next year out of state but will be coming back to Denver in 2010.
Her kids are having some angst over being away, but none of it is due to their heritage or appearance.

[socalover]

As a minority who has lived in Atlanta and now Denver, I think you will be FAR better off in Denver. The subtle racism in the Atlanta suburbs is still very present, not in your face but it's still engrained in the psyche there. Unless you lived downtown Atlanta or maybe Decatur where the black population is in the majority, only there, you might have a comfort level for your kids, and maybe for you (not guaranteed as racism goes both ways). You will find less blacks in Denver but to me what is important is the openness of the general population, and I have found that generally out west from Denver to California, the general populace tend to view things more openly and with leass of a color bias.

Originally Posted by DenverNewbie76

Ok here goes...my heart is dead set on relocating to Denver. Currently I reside in Atlanta(a transplant from NJ)been down here for 2yrs and I am ready to GO!!!!!! I have had enough! Anyway I have been reading the threads on here and have come across a few from black(african americans)complaining about the "the black experience" in Denver. It kind of leaves me puzzled because I am raising three african american boys 11 and 16yrs old and I do not want them to feel "out of place". Also I have a 19yr african american son who is in college and when he comes home for school breaks I want him to be able to fit in. Race has never played any major part in our lives. We DO NOT see color. My husband and I are both white and have friends from many different racial backgrounds. My question is in your opinion will the boys feel out of place in Denver? Also what is your opinion on Denver as a whole? On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate the quality of life there. Is Denver more of urban city or have more like a small town feel?

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

Don Cheadle went to East High School.

So did some other famous Black people like Joe Barry Carroll, Phil Bailey, Andrew Woolfolk and Larry Dunn from Earth, Wind and Fire, Pam Grier, Hattie McDaniel, Dianne Reeves(graduated from George Washington) and Olympian David Oliver. It is probably one of the best high schools in Denver.

[wanttomoveeast]

I agree with what you said and suppose I was thinking it but not exactly voicing it correctly online.

Originally Posted by LisaCACO

that's not exactly true. they do see the differences and they want to know why people look different, but they don't really assign negative meaning to those differences until they're older. it's partially based on their environment (what they glean from outside sources, parents, etc) and also the fact that humans like to exclude those who are different. that difference can be hair color, texture, skin color, eye color, or even for kids, who wears and plays what.

[LisaCACO]

Originally Posted by wanttomoveeast

I agree with what you said and suppose I was thinking it but not exactly voicing it correctly online.

[overgloves]

Hello, I'm Hispanic Anglo, and while I am sensitive to the question posed,
I find this obession with 'race' irritating and dysfunctional. It seems like some people think about race 24/7/365.
It's a Tool they use to manipulate others and often---to excuse their own actions. Personal experience here, with members of my own extended family! Some of them have gotten themselve into a lot of trouble by thinking they can fall back on this poor hypocritical excuse.
People who talk about 'Race' all the time are giving themselves an excuse to do things they probably should not be doing. Even if that manifests only by being rude and obstreperous in their personal dealings with others not of their 'race'.

My advice: Move beyond your preoccupation with race and stand on your own Two Feet. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps, like all the rest of us have done. In my community, we know this is the only way to real lasting success and healty integration with your community.

And BTW, I've seen a lot more 'sexism and ageism' out there, than I've ever seen racism. If you care so deeply about injustice, maybe you should refocus your questions..