Race in LA. Questions for whites blacks and hispanics that live in L.A. (Los Angeles: 2009, college)

[Danita7803]

I am a black female and I moved here from central Pennsylvania. Now THAT'S racist!! And they still wear acid washed jeans from the 80s, mullets and barely have teeth. Most of my cali friends do not believe places like where I lived exist and I'm actually jealous of them that they have no experience of people who really live like this haha. I swear Pa should be located next to Alabama. I have only been here for 3months and absolutely love it. I already have a friend from every race and orientation possible. That is one of the reasons why I have wanted to come to LA in the first place. So far it hasn't proved me wrong Hope it stays that way.

[Slauson Rosecranz]

Originally Posted by Danita7803

I am a black female and I moved here from central Pennsylvania. Now THAT'S racist!! And they still wear acid washed jeans from the 80s, mullets and barely have teeth. Most of my cali friends do not believe places like where I lived exist and I'm actually jealous of them that they have no experience of people who really live like this haha. I swear Pa should be located next to Alabama. I have only been here for 3months and absolutely love it. I already have a friend from every race and orientation possible. That is one of the reasons why I have wanted to come to LA in the first place. So far it hasn't proved me wrong Hope it stays that way.

You must be from Happy Valley.

I've heard stories.

They say that Pennsylvania is Pittsburgh on one side, Philadelphia on the other, and Alabama in the middle.

L.A. is cool for everyone! Just avoid the Harbor Gateway/Wilmington area (which is like the Mexican version of Happy Valley)
and you'll be fine.

Good luck, and have fun!

[Alexus]

Originally Posted by Slauson Rosecranz

You must be from Happy Valley.

I've heard stories.

They say that Pennsylvania is Pittsburgh on one side, Philadelphia on the other, and Alabama in the middle.

L.A. is cool for everyone! Just avoid the Harbor Gateway/Wilmington area (which is like the Mexican version of Happy Valley)
and you'll be fine.

Good luck, and have fun!

You took the words right out of my mouth with the Mississippi in the middle comment. I lived in State College for three years and it was an incredible experience. It was probably as bad as two firms I worked for in Sunnyvale, CA.

[Slauson Rosecranz]

Originally Posted by RomanInSF

You took the words right out of my mouth with the Mississippi in the middle comment. I lived in State College for three years and it was an incredible experience. It was probably as bad as two firms I worked for in Sunnyvale, CA.

Sunnyvale...and Happy Valley...in the same sentence???

Is there something most people don't know about in the liberal, progressive, South Bay area?

Was it Sunnyvale that was the problem, or was it the companies you worked for?

[Danita7803]

Oh thanks!!! I still do not know what areas I should stay out of. Does the gang race thing apply to females as well? Should I worry about being a target? I def do not look like I would associate w any type of gang or gang member. I have trouble killing flies and I smile almost 24/7 lol But I guess that probably doesn't matter depending what neighborhood you're in. Thanks for the info.

[SWV]

Originally Posted by Danita7803

Oh thanks!!! I still do not know what areas I should stay out of. Does the gang race thing apply to females as well? Should I worry about being a target? I def do not look like I would associate w any type of gang or gang member. I have trouble killing flies and I smile almost 24/7 lol But I guess that probably doesn't matter depending what neighborhood you're in. Thanks for the info.

I'm moving to L.A in a couple of years and from all the topics I've posted about moving to L.A and keeping safe for a Black person who's not into gangs most people tell me Culver City, Westchester, Fox Hill, Baldwin Hills(Which was a show on BET as well), Pasadena, North Hollywood.. But stay away from high populated Latino areas...They think because you're black you are automatically in a gang.

[holidaybd]

I was born and raised in the south. I recently relocated from LA to Charlotte, NC. I have worked, shopped and lived in the areas you mentioned as well as Bev Hills/Century City. I never thought anything about being a person of color in those areas. I always went about my business like the rest of them. Not until I moved back to the south did I realize or should I say that the majority here is still narrow minded and continue to see people of color as inferior. Walk with your head high in any area and shop with the best of them. Let them look when you pick up something, let them follow you all the way the check out counter and whip out your gold card. What would get me was, while they were busy following me around, I've seem others who did not look like me stealing them blind. Made my day.



and

Originally Posted by enurse

"Much anti-black sentiment in L.A." = not a great place for Black people to live and thrive. There is hidden racism here, and it's inevitable when people are raised without interacting with many Black people, they listen to the media, and have preconceived notions. This translates into their daily lives, into the school systems, and into the workplace. I was born and raised in Southern California, and have lived in L.A. most of my life, and can honestly say - I've had it. If you don't want to get stared at, or questioned on a daily basis, you have to live in areas where there is a decent amount of Black people in the population. I graduated from UCLA in Westwood, and have worked up and down the coast of California (most areas comprising of less than 2% Black people in the affluent areas). In the better parts of town, Black people are really a minority. Note: I am a female health care provider, and dress well, but I still have had to endure comments while in college, and inappropriate behavior on the job. I have been followed in stores on various occasions, for no reason. I have to always make sure that if I pick up merchandise, I have it in plain sight at all times, to minimize this embarrassment. Going into areas like "Calablackless" (i.e., Calabasas), Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, etc is worse. You can go days/weeks without seeing a Black person. I did notice when I lived in the Palms/Culver City areas, there were more Blacks. These were decent areas at the time, and I believe they are developing even more. If I was staying and wanted to pay a ridiculous mortgage, I'd consider these areas. Other than that, L.A. leaves a lot to be desired.

[sunray]

Cracks me up how people from other parts of the country have such a shallow view of Los Angeles. They think it's all about gangs, and drive bys.

[marilyn220]

Originally Posted by SWV

I'm moving to L.A in a couple of years and from all the topics I've posted about moving to L.A and keeping safe for a Black person who's not into gangs most people tell me Culver City, Westchester, Fox Hill, Baldwin Hills(Which was a show on BET as well), Pasadena, North Hollywood.. But stay away from high populated Latino areas...They think because you're black you are automatically in a gang.

The above is SO NOT TRUE.

I'm a black woman recently transplanted from NYC and have been living in a predominantly latino neighborhood since I moved here four years ago.

I have NEVER, repeat, NEVER experienced any RACIAL problems. In fact, it's been quite the opposite. Nothing but love and extreme helpfulness. The majority of latinos (mexican, salvadorian, etc.) are good people and don't fall into those ignorant categories.

[AlmightyZeus]

Originally Posted by marilyn220

The above is SO NOT TRUE.

I'm a black woman recently transplanted from NYC and have been living in a predominantly latino neighborhood since I moved here four years ago.

I have NEVER, repeat, NEVER experienced any RACIAL problems. In fact, it's been quite the opposite. Nothing but love and extreme helpfulness. The majority of latinos (mexican, salvadorian, etc.) are good people and don't fall into those ignorant categories.

That's because you're a black woman. [shrugs] Let me, a black male, go walking into an area like Boyle Heights, Highland Park, etc. etc. and see if I can get out of there with no problems. Which, of course, is bull****. Try me on this one, I've been to a couple of them. And for the record, I ain't no gangmember at all... I'm just a regular broke ass college student who happened to be walking in numerous neighborhoods where you wouldn't expect to get hit up at all so I'm not gonna buy into that bull****.

And for the record, I've been to neighborhoods where black and latinos get along. As a matter of fact, I've got family who live in Watts where they harmonize with the Latinos. But let's not pretend **** is peachy keen either, because I can tell you from personal experience.