The Truths of Greenville, SC From Someone Born and Raised Here (fit in, live in)

[rochelle]

Since it is obvious you are referring to me, I'll address your post...

Why would I "conveniently ignore" you? Have I not responded to everyone who responded to me? Why would you be the exception? Melodramatic much?

Now, show me where I said each and every white Greenville native acted "janky" towards each and every black Greenville native? You can't, because I didn't. What I said was that I noticed - after I left and moved back - that there was a weird dynamic between native black and white Greenvillians, and especially the older ones. I also said that I could not say it was racism. But, you know, I must not know my own mind because so many people are trying to convince me that I said otherwise, and in the process tell me what I think.

Originally Posted by Greenville

I would not be surprised if rochelle was indeed a Rochester alum. Go Yellowjackets!

P.S. I am a Caucasian Greenville native, and would have no problem hiring another Greenville native regardless of race. I'm sure my view on this, as a white Greenville native, will be conveniently ignored since it contradicts the argument at hand. Carry on...

[rochelle]

Was it necessary for you to insult my intelligence? God bless you, too.

This is the last straw.

Originally Posted by gsupstate

A tip to anyone of any color or race trying to get a white collar job, from a white collar executive here. Don't use the words "janky, jankiness, janked, janker" on your resume, if you really want the job!

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by rochelle

Look, like I said, TO EACH HIS OWN. My opinion is my opinion and you don't have to share it, and you don't need to understand my thought process. Just accept the fact that I don't see Greenville like you do, and stop judging me and stalking me through these forums. It's not that serious. Really. You act like I insulted your mother or something. It's just an opinion. Get a grip. Damn.

You came on here with the specific intention of attacking my viewpoint, which I have been sharing real life examples to back up from the start. None of us here expect everyone to view our city from the same perspective, but you have to understand that we have many years (decades in some cases) of real life experience here and have found many inconsistencies in your accusations. We are not so in love with Greenville that we cannot see the imperfections. In fact, we often note areas needing improvement. The main difference between most of us and you is that we are happily living here and reciprocating our affection for this place by working hard to make it a better place for everyone. We are investing time, labor, intelligence, and money in its future. What have you done to help out lately? If you really do like Greenville then surely you can find a way to get around this notion that a handful of natives are going to torment your life here. Greenville may not be worthy of your presence, but surely that is not because of a general dislike or distrust for your cultural type. Like I said earlier, that is an insult to myself and my many friends who have had to climb the difficult corporate ladder (still are) to achieve career "success." I can't imagine it is that much different in other cities. You might try starting a little lower than you want to and then work your way up. Patience and perseverence work wonders. In the meantime, there are so many productive things to do here that you don't need to feel any pressure from a handful of unstable natives. Good luck whether or not you decide to move back to Upstate SC (or Upstate NY).

[g-man430]

Originally Posted by Greenville

If we do not need to understand your thought process, then why do you keep trying to explain yourself? Why even bother posting if you do not seek some sort of intellectual discussion?

That's what I was wondering.

[g-man430]

Originally Posted by rochelle

This is the last straw.

You will NOT be missed.

[p2y2r7o]

Originally Posted by rochelle

Just accept the fact that I don't see Greenville like you do, and stop judging me and stalking me through these forums.

Skyliner, the internet stalker. Beware!

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by Skyliner

Good luck whether or not you decide to move back to Upstate SC (or Upstate NY).

ROFL! I don't have a dog in this fight and I'm just stumbling upon this conversation. Even under my alter ego, I never said anything negative about Greenville. If I did, I would have said it already; I ain't scared of nobody.

Back to the regularly scheduled discussion, which is rather interesting.

I will say this: I actually think that what rochelle is talking about is true of SC in general to a certain extent. SC is still deeply entrenched in that "good ol' boy" culture and all of our cities suffer from that to one degree or another.

It is also clearly apparent, from following the discussion here and elsewhere, that the Black perspective is a unique one when it comes to relocation, as we look for distinctive and different things than Whites that go beyond the basics (crime, school, economy, etc.). In this current wave of the "great reverse migration" of Blacks moving from the North to the South, one of the things that is looked for as it pertains to a new home by Blacks is a visible, upwardly mobile Black population. And none of our cities really display that because none of them truly have booming economies such as those that can be found in metro areas in neighboring states.

However, I will also say that historically (and that's the key word), race relations seemed to be a little more strained in Greenville than in other areas of the state, and this can pretty much be attributed to just that--history. The Upstate never had as large of a slave population as cities like Charleston, Columbia, and Florence, and in those places Blacks were a bit more integrated into the life of the city due to their relatively large numbers in comparison. This is important, as it provides context for what we're speaking of here. This is why you also see Charleston and Columbia benefitting more from the Black reverse migration trend than Greenville, as many are simply returning to their hometowns or their parents' hometowns. And while Greenville certainly gets its fair share of events that roll through town that cater to a predominantly Black audience, I do notice sometimes that Greenville is skipped. For instance, Tyler Perry, a Black playwriter and producer that has risen to fame in recent years, didn't include Greenville among other SC cities in his last tour schedule last year, and Greenville doesn't host an annual Black Expo event, which is a one-day minority business exposition sponsored by Thomas-McCants Media, Inc., publishers of the Black Pages USA directories. Now those are only two examples off the top of my head (because I keep up with stuff like that), but believe it or not, they can make a difference among Blacks when it comes to relocation. This isn't to say that Greenville never has any "urban theater" shows come to town (because it does) or that it doesn't have any minority business exposition/networking events (because it does). However, as I stated before, it pretty much just comes down to history and is not the result of some sinister conspiracy by White powers-that-be in Greenville to deprive the Black population of cultural and culture-oriented opportunities. And that's not to say that other areas of the state don't have their own problems that involve race--they just do so in a significantly different way than what is typically seen in the Greenville area (e.g., rural poverty along the I-95 corridor). Once Greenville truly hits its stride economically (ala Charlotte, Raleigh), it will then be in a position to specifically attract a larger proportion of Black professionals looking for opportunities in the New South, and by then I suspect that what rochelle is speaking of will have largely subsided.

[gardendoyenne]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to rochelle again.

You've made excellent points and from a black woman whose husband has the opportunity to transfer to (employment secured before arriving in Greenville ), I appreciate your thought-provoking analysis. It's very sad that people are attempting to discredit your experiences in order to preserve the image of Greenville that they have in their mind. It's unfortunate that race relations in this country will probably continue to remain strained because some refuse to even accept certain things, including the notion that there are, indeed, some people who have a vested interest in not allowing black professionals to advance or obtain employment that they are very qualified for. I've lived in many cities in the past, including a city that was very much like what you are describing, and in my humble opinion, you are doing the right thing by deciding not to return home until things change generally within the employment sector. Just because some have their heads buried in the sand doesn't mean you ought to join them . FWIW, I wouldn't continue to engage in this discussion. Some people will never ever understand it or even consider that it's a very real (and janky lol) dynamic...you truly are just wasting your time .

[CarolinaSouth803]

Wow Greenville people....way to be objective....this whole thread was created by Sojones and it turned into a tennis match between the main posters of the G'ville forum and Rochelle. The sad thing is that Rochelle was responding to the thread starters post...and in her on opinion agreed and disagreed with him....and then came the bombardment from everyone else. Instead of viewing what she said with an open mind, y'all successfully ran a person willing to contribute her idea's on the subject of the city y'all love [Greenville] off the site. I heard arguments from y'all like "We are contributing to it's future and we've been here"....which are funny since she stated she was born there and come often to visit...and even has a desire to move back home when the time is right for her. Sometimes people's defense mechanisms arm up too quickly and y'all missed the point...hell even i got frustrated reading each post because it was a lot of beating around the bush and no action to resolve it. She wasn't the conflict starter....Sojones was...and even then he wasn't started a conflict...he merely stated his one views about an area that he's currently living in. The only thing i could see as an issue in his post was that he compared NYC schools to SC schools when it's a known fact that NYC schools have the 3 lowest graduation rates in the nation [behind Baltimore and Detroit]. But he gave his opinion on a place that he obviously loves because he came back to it. But people believe it or not...entertainment and dating scene does matter to a lot of people when they make choices to move. Jobs and recreation are the only deciding factor. I'll give it to G'Ville....the city has made tremendous strides...but just like the rest of the state...it's still a work in progress with a long way to go...

[Skyliner]

"The main posters of the G'ville forum" care greatly about their city and want others to know the facts from a current and intimate perspective. How you can completely ignore the direct responses to specific inaccuracies stated by the original poster and the one who agreed with him and decide take up for two people's claims without any knowledge yourself is interesting to me. While I'd like to believe you have an interest in this discussion beyond criticizing Greenville residents, everything about your post causes me think otherwise. Sojones made many comments that were not true and then Rochelle basically agreed with them which is why people who live in Greenville and care greatly about the city felt compelled to respond with opposition. It is that simple. I want everyone to visit Greenville and see what it has to offer, knowing that not everyone will find it to be what they are looking for in life, yet confident knowing that 99% of the people I have introduced the city to have fallen in love with the place. I don't get paid to do it and I don't care about enhancing census statistics for bragging rights in the state. I do it because it is a natural reaction to desire to help others enjoy the same quality life I have been blessed with in this city. It is satisfying to know that I have been a help to someone who was looking for a better life.