Recent visit to Detroit - insight into race relations? (Livonia: house, unemployment)

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by PeaceChild

I agree with some of your post, but the part about white guys being stalkers or creepy is not part of our culture. Yes, white guys do the same thing. It has more to do with being a man, than anything else.

I agree with that. I've had all kinds of friends "holler" at women.

I will say that I agree somewhat with the assumption of them think that she might be interested in Black guys due to being there in a city where they might not see White women that often in Black neighborhoods.

[and the]

I will say that I agree somewhat with the assumption of them think that she might be interested in Black guys due to being there in a city where they might not see White women that often in Black neighborhoods.

You see a white woman with a camera taking pictures of an architecturally interesting building and you agree that it's somewhat reasonable to assume that since she's in a black neighborhood she must be trolling for a brother? Can you imagine what popular opinion would be if I suggested that a black woman walking on the sidewalk in a white neighborhood was probably hunting for a white guy for a date, so I yelled out a comment about her hot behind from my car?

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by and the

You see a white woman with a camera taking pictures of an architecturally interesting building and you agree that it's somewhat reasonable to assume that since she's in a black neighborhood she must be trolling for a brother? Can you imagine what popular opinion would be if I suggested that a black woman walking on the sidewalk in a white neighborhood was probably hunting for a white guy for a date, so I yelled out a comment about her hot behind from my car?

I'm not talking about "trolling" for a brother. I mean in the sense that she is there in the first place due to the dynamics and reality of race in Detroit. I'm not saying what they were doing is acceptable, but they might think she was comfortable or use to said neighborhood.

[teejuris]

Honestly, what happened to you was not a "Detroit thing". These men were "cat calling" and coming on to you in a disrespectful, verbally aggressive manner, using inappropriate language. I'm sure their intent was not to kill, rape or rob you, for if it were, they would have done so, since there was nothing stopping them from doing either or all of those things. The "Hey, Baby" colloquialism is one used across all races, in all areas, when referring to women. That's nothing specific to Detroit. With that said, those men probably saw you as a white girl in a neighborhood that probably doesn't include many white girls that look like you (I'm sure you weren't looking scruffy, impoverished and rundown like the few white women in that area), so they probably thought you were a suburbanite looking for drugs, or a "good time". Although I'm not a huge fan of Detroit, Detroit's reputation does not accurately or adequately represent its people and neighborhoods. You're probably more likely to be robbed in New York and shot in Chicago than in Detroit. Unfortunately, the national features and reporting on Detroit are usually done in a stereotypical manner to perpetuate negative stereotypes that the city is sooo dangerous and crime-infested. Photos and videos of Detroit are pretty much always of run down, desolate & abandoned buildings and neighborhoods. However, Detroit has very nice working, middle- and upperclass neighborhoods as well. These areas in Detroit are rarely shown. It's up to Detroiters to show visitors these areas because the media definitely will not. Detroit may have its issues, as does all major cities-as well as-rural/suburban ones, however, it's unfairly depicted/portrayed. Detroit may be desolate and bleak now, since it's experiencing extreme financial hardship, but it's not the "Beirut" everyone thinks it is or perceives it as; a city "Where the weak are killed and eaten". Detroit is simply regarded as the "ugly duckling" in the country, and the media will make sure it remains that way.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by teejuris

Although I'm not a huge fan of Detroit, Detroit's reputation does not accurately or adequately represent its people and neighborhoods. You're probably more likely to be robbed in New York and shot in Chicago than in Detroit.

I agree with almost everything about your larger message, but greatly disagree about New York in particular, I don't know Chicago well enough to disagree with.

New York ALSO has a reputation for crime and robbery and muggings...but having lived there for a few years, I found that GREATLY exaggerated. Completely undeservingly.

Anyways, I did agree with your greater message...just not this particular statement within it.

[TootsieWootsie]

Check New York's current crime rate: shockingly low! It used to be a hellhole till Guiliani cleaned it up, and it's stayed cleaned up for a major city. Bravo, NYC!!!!
Chicago needs to take a lesson. In my one year there a few years ago, I knew of several muggings and break-ins. Sad. And I'm from there, so it really is discouraging to me.
Houston isn't bad to me, but I always stayed in the "safe and nicer" areas of the city. It probably is pretty rough in certain areas. (I'm too chicken to go there.)
Anyone know about L.A.?

[teejuris]

My point is there is crime in other major cities. However, the crime is underreported because there is a financial and commercial interest in ensuring national and international entities continue to invest in these areas, such as Chicago and New York. Hence, it would be detrimental to depict these areas as unsafe or dangerous. It's all business...

[Vicman]

Originally Posted by teejuris

My point is there is crime in other major cities. However, the crime is underreported because there is a financial and commercial interest in ensuring national and international entities continue to invest in these areas, such as Chicago and New York. Hence, it would be detrimental to depict these areas as unsafe or dangerous. It's all business...

It would help to show news articles that prove that under-reporting takes place in those places, and then if some guy shows an article that shows under-reporting taking place in Detroit, then your point is lost anyway...

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by teejuris

Honestly, what happened to you was not a "Detroit thing". These men were "cat calling" and coming on to you in a disrespectful, verbally aggressive manner, using inappropriate language. I'm sure their intent was not to kill, rape or rob you, for if it were, they would have done so, since there was nothing stopping them from doing either or all of those things. The "Hey, Baby" colloquialism is one used across all races, in all areas, when referring to women. That's nothing specific to Detroit. With that said, those men probably saw you as a white girl in a neighborhood that probably doesn't include many white girls that look like you (I'm sure you weren't looking scruffy, impoverished and rundown like the few white women in that area), so they probably thought you were a suburbanite looking for drugs, or a "good time". Although I'm not a huge fan of Detroit, Detroit's reputation does not accurately or adequately represent its people and neighborhoods. You're probably more likely to be robbed in New York and shot in Chicago than in Detroit. Unfortunately, the national features and reporting on Detroit are usually done in a stereotypical manner to perpetuate negative stereotypes that the city is sooo dangerous and crime-infested. Photos and videos of Detroit are pretty much always of run down, desolate & abandoned buildings and neighborhoods. However, Detroit has very nice working, middle- and upperclass neighborhoods as well. These areas in Detroit are rarely shown. It's up to Detroiters to show visitors these areas because the media definitely will not. Detroit may have its issues, as does all major cities-as well as-rural/suburban ones, however, it's unfairly depicted/portrayed. Detroit may be desolate and bleak now, since it's experiencing extreme financial hardship, but it's not the "Beirut" everyone thinks it is or perceives it as; a city "Where the weak are killed and eaten". Detroit is simply regarded as the "ugly duckling" in the country, and the media will make sure it remains that way.

Good points.....

[and the]

My point is there is crime in other major cities. However, the crime is underreported because there is a financial and commercial interest in ensuring national and international entities continue to invest in these areas, such as Chicago and New York. Hence, it would be detrimental to depict these areas as unsafe or dangerous. It's all business...

Kinda tough to hide a body. As much as Detroit tries to by calling a homcide something other than a murder. Detroit's per capita criminal homicide rate is WAY beyond NYC's. Check the FBI's uniform crime report.