Blacks in West Des Moines (Arlington: schools, place to live, assessment)

[RonnieJonez]

Originally Posted by That-Guy

So what you are saying is that the jury was accurately reflective of it's population? So technically, it was a jury of your peers. Thanks for the clarification.

No it was not, jury of your peers implies your direct "peer group", the population at large does not equal your "peers". It's impossible usually anywhere to get a full jury of your peers, but I think it does contribute to fairness to have at least a few, and most judges will try to accommodate this to prevent mistrial.

I mentioned this during voir dire and that got me instantly removed. Very easy way to escape the dreaded jury duty if anyone is ever trying to get out of it.

I ran into a guy at the mall who ended up making the final jury pool who was obviously hungry to convict, and he seemed more than happy to tell me the outcome. What I'm saying is, a black guy doesn't have much of a chance with an all-white jury, that is all.

[Rhodes152]

Rhonda,

Good luck if you do end up moving! Me and my wife are moving to West Des Moines in August and we are very excited about it. We are an interracial couple, myself being white and my wife black but all the research we have done seems like it is a great place to live.

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by That-Guy

Nope, just a bunch of racists evidently.

Of course there is racism in Iowa, but do you agree its subtle nowadays and not in the open?

[robertjohnson]

In spite of what you've heard white people are pretty nice. Most white folks are too busy feeling guilty and would never consider giving a black person a bad time. And the whites that your worried about, the ones that are critical of black culture itself and feel less than fond of blacks individually and as a group will generally treat you and your children as they would anyone else. I know this because I'm one of them. I would also find it disgusting if you or your kids had to suffer from one of those incredibly rare incidents. I'd also do whatever it took to stop anything more serious. That's what decent people will do. So we don't like each other. Suck it up and get on with things.

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by rhonda2k

I am seriously thinking of relocating to west des moines to start a new life for me and my children,last weekend me and my kids booked a room at a clive iowa hotel and stayed for a couple of days and check out the city, i must say that i was very impressed,it is wonderful if u can say that after staying only 3 days.i am a nurse by profession, i have 3 well mannered kids one is a honor student in the 10th grade, the other is a honor student in the 3rd grade in a catholic school, the baby is 2 in kindercare.i am a Black 35 yr old female divorced we are living in the north suburbs of chicago illinois.My question is will me and my kids fit in,in west des moines i am so afraid that they might not accept us there.will my kids experience any racism,how are the people in west des moines attitudes towards blacks i am just looking for a nice quiet place to live and raise my kids.I have been told by several people that i should look in another part of Iowa cause west des moines don't have many blacks living there and we might be uncomfortable is this true,PLEASE HELP NEED TO RELOCATE SOON!

I'm just curious of why are you moving from North suburban Chicago to Iowa? Even Chicago suburbs are more diverse than Iowa and you seem like you are a little uncomfortable with the lack of diversity in West Des Moines. What Northern suburb of Chicago where you're from?

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

No it was not, jury of your peers implies your direct "peer group", the population at large does not equal your "peers".

Show me some actual legal documentation that defines "jury of your peers" as such.

[thatguy1]

Originally Posted by Chicagoland60426

Of course there is racism in Iowa, but do you agree its subtle nowadays and not in the open?

Yes, I agree. I firmly believe everyone has racist tendencies. Whether it's subtle, or blatant, it's there. Racism can be hatred, or it can be simple everyday stereotypical generalizing about a different ethinicity.

If it's hatred, that is wrong.

If it's a stereotype (i.e. a black man may accuse me of having a small penis...or I may laugh at a black man for liking fried chicken and watermelon) <------big deal. But many people think that is true racism when its nothing different than any other stereotype.
I hope that makes sense...

[rhonda2k]

Originally Posted by Chicagoland60426

I'm just curious of why are you moving from North suburban Chicago to Iowa? Even Chicago suburbs are more diverse than Iowa and you seem like you are a little uncomfortable with the lack of diversity in West Des Moines. What Northern suburb of Chicago where you're from?

you are so right about the diversity i didnt look at it that way i just visited west des moines and i kind of felt like this is a place that i could live.i live in arlington heights illinois. i was looking for a cheaper place to live with good schools and low crime.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by That-Guy

Yes, I agree. I firmly believe everyone has racist tendencies. Whether it's subtle, or blatant, it's there. Racism can be hatred, or it can be simple everyday stereotypical generalizing about a different ethinicity.

If it's hatred, that is wrong.

If it's a stereotype (i.e. a black man may accuse me of having a small penis...or I may laugh at a black man for liking fried chicken and watermelon) <------big deal. But many people think that is true racism when its nothing different than any other stereotype.
I hope that makes sense...

There is a different between prejudice, bias, stereotypes and discrimination and even racism and supremacy. Everyone is prejudice and anyone can be racist. It's more of a build up or even hierarchy, in a sense.

With that said, we have to be honest about who is affected more by it and institutional forms of it.

Again, back to the topic, West Des Moines has Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics in the community in noticable levels.

[RonnieJonez]

Originally Posted by rhonda2k

you are so right about the diversity i didnt look at it that way i just visited west des moines and i kind of felt like this is a place that i could live.i live in arlington heights illinois. i was looking for a cheaper place to live with good schools and low crime.

I used to live in that area. Arlington Heights/Buffalo Grove is significantly more diverse than anywhere in Iowa. Even the "white" population is diverse out there with all the greeks, italians and russians.

over there, you have true diversity, several countries are represented. I remember meeting people from all parts of the world.

here, it's not quite like that, there is some diversity but it's very limited to what you'd expect. illegal hispanics are growing in numbers as well because of I-35, and you have very few blacks. you don't have the same diversity within races here you have out there.