[YAZ]

Is white flight right?

Yes.

I would never fly on a brown airplane.

There's a reason why planes are white.

Anyone hazard a guess?

I know the answer......

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by YAZ

Is white flight right?

Yes.

I would never fly on a brown airplane.

There's a reason why planes are white.

Anyone hazard a guess?

I know the answer......

Please tell me this is your own form of sarcasm.

[golden boy1]

To me all this is simple, First some people are racist and make decisions on those narrow principles, You may accuse me otherwise cos in the uk to say anything bad about anyone who is non white is seen as racist, irrespective of the reality. However, in the uk black, white and asian people live side by side in most areas, the only exception being poor areas. For some reason theraces don't mix in poor locations. I would happily live next to people of any race and spent long periods in africa, however, having researched the statistics in the USA I would not consider living in a predominantly black area.
To be honest, I don't give a damn about the underlying reasons, the simple fact is that areas of high black concentrations have high crime rates, limited services and low school standards.
The small minded black people can say that the whites are to blame, and the small minded white people can say the blacks are to blame, The likelyhood is that nither are true,
I weant to live in an area where crime is low and living conditions are good, In the usa that doesn't seem to be possible in predominantly black areas,
Am i a racist, i don't think so, do you

[YAZ]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

Please tell me this is your own form of sarcasm.

Absolutely.

Traditionally, planes were painted white because they're easier to clean. I wouldn't fly on a dirty plane. If they can't keep the aircraft clean (a very simple task), then who knows what else could be wrong with it?

Also, white aircraft tend to be "cooler" inside, especially when sitting on the tarmack.

Sometimes, ya just gotta lighten up.

[kcam213]

Originally Posted by golden boy1

To me all this is simple, First some people are racist and make decisions on those narrow principles, You may accuse me otherwise cos in the uk to say anything bad about anyone who is non white is seen as racist, irrespective of the reality. However, in the uk black, white and asian people live side by side in most areas, the only exception being poor areas. For some reason theraces don't mix in poor locations. I would happily live next to people of any race and spent long periods in africa, however, having researched the statistics in the USA I would not consider living in a predominantly black area.
To be honest, I don't give a damn about the underlying reasons, the simple fact is that areas of high black concentrations have high crime rates, limited services and low school standards.
The small minded black people can say that the whites are to blame, and the small minded white people can say the blacks are to blame, The likelyhood is that nither are true,
I weant to live in an area where crime is low and living conditions are good, In the usa that doesn't seem to be possible in predominantly black areas,
Am i a racist, i don't think so, do you

I get what you are saying... and I agree I also want to live in area that is safe, with good city services.

I think it is more related to income more so than race. I don't think anyone who has income $100,000 annually and everyone in the neighborhood makes as much if not more will engage in the behavior you are talking about... and I doubt they would have many associates who would act that way.

There is no way the 2 situations could co-exist for long... either the person of good income will lose the loser friends because they have nothing in common (can't do drugs or party all the time because they risk losing job) or the person with good income will lose good income (see Michael Vick, who didn't lose loser friends... so now he is well on his way to becoming a loser himself).

I don't think I would want to live in a poorer neighborhood. I know white people who are uneducated, don't want to work, would rather take and sell drugs, and live with girlfriends who are unwed mothers on welfare, and get into fights or OD on Xanax or Meth and have the rescue squad come every other week. I don't want to live around them either.

It doesn't matter if they are black or white. I think some people get offended when there is this presumption that only black people live bad and that it is somehow related to skin color or culture, or genetics.

I will stand on the belief that it is level of education (and intelligence), economics, and self esteem. None of these qualities (or the lack of them) are anyway limited to one race or culture.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by Ummagumma

I think we're saying the same thing, I just disagree with definition. A "class" is defined purely by the income, and I've seen plenty of rich rednecks. It's the mentality that defines a person.

I think it does depend on how one defines class -- I define class by manners and behavior - not money.

I've seen rich people who are very uncouth, have poor manners - no class, and I've seen people of very humble circumsstances who have a lot of class.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by golden boy1

To me all this is simple, First some people are racist and make decisions on those narrow principles, You may accuse me otherwise cos in the uk to say anything bad about anyone who is non white is seen as racist, irrespective of the reality. However, in the uk black, white and asian people live side by side in most areas, the only exception being poor areas. For some reason theraces don't mix in poor locations. I would happily live next to people of any race and spent long periods in africa, however, having researched the statistics in the USA I would not consider living in a predominantly black area.
To be honest, I don't give a damn about the underlying reasons, the simple fact is that areas of high black concentrations have high crime rates, limited services and low school standards.
The small minded black people can say that the whites are to blame, and the small minded white people can say the blacks are to blame, The likelyhood is that nither are true,
I weant to live in an area where crime is low and living conditions are good, In the usa that doesn't seem to be possible in predominantly black areas,
Am i a racist, i don't think so, do you

Perhaps you should care why. When you don't ask why, you can fall prey to quick judgements. As for areas that are predominantly black, yes it is true that many black people in this nation live in disproportionally high amounts of poverty, and often inhabit some of the worst places. If you read US history, you will learn that this was engineered by the persons who were in power. The persons who controlled the resources often controlled where certain people would live. The effects today are a manifestation of that. Even so, there are some areas with large black populations that are middle to upper income and nice places to live. Examples include Lathrup Village,Michigan;Ladera Heights,CA;Baldwin Hills,CA. Those are just a few examples. Yes, I am aware of the statistics, but I also will not speak of anyone as a lost cause either. That is one thing that makes me angry-when people out there speak of certain places as a "lost cause".

[teejuris]

"White flight" is neither right nor wrong. It's an expected reality when African Americans are at the center of the consideration/discussion. For me, the bigger question or larger issue is why it matters to so many African Americans that whites choose not or don't want to live near them, for whatever facially offered, surface-level or "justified" reasons they provide: crime, poor education, lack of social options, etc. Really, who cares? Why do so many AAs seek white approval or acceptance? By now, whites SHOULD know not all AAs commit crimes, or fit negative stereotypes. If not, become informed: Read, study, observe and learn. The reason Southfield is feared and regarded in the same manner as Detroit, despite the affluence, educational and class levels of many of its residents and the fact it sits in the richest county in the State of Michigan, Oakland County, is simple: It's considered a "black suburb" or "Chocolate City", as are Highland Park, Hamtramck and Oak Park. Let's not forget that there are affluent neighborhoods/areas in Detroit, such as Indian Village, East English Village, Palmer Woods, Sherwood Forest, the University District and North Rosedale Park, however these areas are overlooked and disregarded for that same reason. Middle-and Upperclass African Americans in these areas have chosen to remain in these areas despite societal perceptions for very respectable reasons. They do not subscibe to the belief that "white is right", therefore flocking to predominantly or all white suburbs to educate and socialize their children. Quite to the contrary, they expose their children to the beauty and pride existent in their communities, i.e., esteem-building programs and activities (Charm & etiquette courses, churches & science centers), art & culture (African American Museum/Detroit Institute of Arts, Southfield Public Library), educating them in private schools and best or high-performing schools in these areas. Many of them are successful products of these same communities and continue to uplift them.

[Huckleberry3911948]

denial is not a river in egypt its a river in detroit. but for the record white flight does not hurt detroit what hurts detroit is when educated successful positive talented AA leaders leave bek the city has become too violent. now that hurts the community big time.

[teejuris]

Cont'g: Many successful AAs prefer to expose their children to activities, events, or programs that will ethnically enhance them vs. pushing them to embrace another race as better. The negative or circumstantial realities of some segments of the community, i.e., teen pregnancy, drugs, crime and educational issues, are what they nurture and raise their children not to embrace. Other races of people experience these same issues, however, despite the magnitude and because of racial disparity, they're just regarded/handled differently and/or minimized. Whether many of us want to recognize, or admit this is another issue. What we must understand is there are many whites that will believe negative stereotypes re: AAs despite positive statistics or examples otherwise. Change in attitudes and beliefs begins w/ individuals. Further, the reality is people are typically comfortable around others like them. Whether these preferences are racially motivated depends on the individuals. Honestly, because of history and the racially-charged climate in which we live, as an AA, I would be uncomfortable and feel unsafe b'g the lone AA in all-white environment, just as a white person would probably feel b'g the lone white in an all-AA one. We all have our apprehensions and reservations. That doesn't make us racist.Finally, I appreciate and prefer diversity. I was raised in a racially diverse neighborhood (AAs, whites, Arabs, Chaldeans and Asians), although the surrounding areas were predominantly Af Am. If I have children, I would prefer they be raised in a similar environment, since being exposed to various cultures enhanced learning and acceptance for us all. Each one of these groups preserved their own cultures, while accepting the differences of the others. Not perfect, but ideal.