Minorities living in Idaho, How is it??? (Kootenai: transplants, crimes)

[norcalmom101]

Originally Posted by Avaria

From my direct experiences - the majority of people I have talked to in Southeast Idaho are racists. They don't seem to express it outwardly, but they will between two "white folks." My ex-hairdresser told me she wont vote for a black man because all the blacks will rise up against us. She said it loud and all the other people in the salon agreed. I am so glad I moved out of there.

That strikes me as just IGNORANT. Racism involves a belief in the superiority of one race over another, not uneducated people living in fear of things that aren't even real. And frankly, the best way to mitigate that kind of ignorance is confrontation with reality, so please, move here soon!

[Need2Leave]

I've lived in ID for 10 yrs now and just ran into my first bunch of angry arian brotherhood boys the other day... they were a bit rowdy in general, but also seem to be less and less of a common element in Idaho than the old reputation lets on.

[boi2socal]

As I've stated before many people believe Idaho to be racist simply because the percentage of minorities is less than most places.

There is a lot of racism in SoCal and a lot of it is between other minorities.

[Trace_Rinaldi]

Originally Posted by Sage of Sagle

Lack of racial diversity does NOT equate to lack of racial tolerance. I saw WAY more racial friction (among ALL races, the worst of it being black vs hispanic) during several decades living in SoCal.

THAT is the absolute truth, and its become even worse since you left Sage.

[Sage of Sagle]

Yup. For those not famiiar with racial friction in urban areas...the more diverse an area, the more the friction, from my experience.

The WORST racial tensions I ever saw were in the North Long Beach and Compton/Firestone/Lynwood areas where it was about equal thirds black, hispanic, and asian (mostly Korean or Chinese). I actually felt that areas like Watts (black), Boyle Heights/City Terrace (hispanic), and Monterey Park (asian) were LIGHT YEARS more peaceful by comparison...

And in LA County Men's Central Jail ("MCJ") where I worked a few years as a new LASO Deputy, the riots were always "black on brown" with whites and asians staying out of it. And most of these riots started over whose turn it was to use the pay phones. I'd say 90% of our riots started in the yards at the phone areas. And when I was on our county-wide response team, the high school riots were often black vs brown for about the same trigger-point reasons....

So for a black or hispanic person who moves to North Idaho and resolves to just fit in like the rest of us who move here and assimilate, there's quite literally ZERO racial tension, since retired cops like me (I'm 6'3", 240lbs) and my buddies here in town will defend them if someone were to start giving them grief for being of another race since that just ain't right...we just don't roll that way here....

Then again, if someone comes up here ACTING like a "gangsta", they're going to likely get run out of town or at least shunned everywhere they go by anyone expect maybe a handful of dopey wannabes that every small town has present...again, people just don't put up with it...

[boi2socal]

I've spent some time in Monterey Park and despite its East LA neighbor I always felt safe there. As Sage noted it is mostly Asian and the hills have lovely views of LA.

North Long Beach...yeah, not an area I would frequent. Long Beach has some great neighborhoods and some of the worst.

Anyways...racism isn't really an issue in Idaho, at least not anymore than anywhere else. Now if you feel uncomfortable simply by the fact you are a minority that is understandable but that doesn't make your neighbors racist by default.

[Trace_Rinaldi]

Im in Plummer this week doing some work on the property.. At the local supermarket today I saw an interracial couple with kids. He was black and she was white and obviously locals. They seemed to know many of the people who worked and shopped there, and were getting along fine from what I could see. This is just an observation I had, and thought of this thread.

This is your man on the streets report from N. Idaho..Ha!!

[Greensleeves]

There is racism in south central Idaho, from my experience. For the most part, as someone stated earlier, it is usually limited to comments made in conversation. But recently, there was an incident where a hispanic family was singled out and vandalized. A neighborhood group quickly formed to combat hatred in the community and to promote understanding of cultural differences, which was wonderful. However, the group was made up entirely of relative newcomers to the community and none of the home grown locals.

[norcalmom101]

This isn't about racial issues but here goes:

There is a club rumored to be opening in Idaho Falls which will feature a G/L night. What is most interesting is that the debate ensuing in the forum where I read about it centered on the types of music, dress code, and cover charge, with only a handful of snide remarks denigrating G/L persons for identifying themselves or having an exclusive night (along the lines of how about we have a "heterosexual" night? Well, from what I can see, just about every day and night around here is a hetero one). I don't really care, I am hetero, but I will definitely be going to the G/L night to lend my support and because it will probably be a lot more fun and I don't have to worry about getting hit on. And just think of the rumors! I'll be famous.

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by associationhater

Wondering how minorities are treated in Idaho? Considering it being a 92% white population.

Just curious why you roll your eyes at a 92% white population? Maybe you are looking for a problem?