Is Minneapolis Racist? (Starbuck: apartments, how much, houses)
Minneapolis - St. PaulTwin Cities
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Race in the class system? Yes, for sure. The fat cats pit the poor blacks against the poor whites, so as neither group stays focused on how they're both being screwed by the fat cats. Divide and conquer.
That is how it started, but for the last 3 centuries race has played a role in what you get and not get.
That is how it started, but for the last 3 centuries race has played a role in what you get and not get.
Right, unless you're rich then race doesn't matter much because you "get" whatever your checkbook can afford. It's almost always class, almost never race.
I came here from California and, from what I've seen, it depends on the age of the Minnesotan. Most of the young people here are pretty much color-blind when it comes to race. But I've also met a lot of older Minnesotans who dislike anyone who's "different." I once overheard two old women at a grocery store discussing their fear that their grandchildren might be "playing with Catholics." I laughed out loud ---couldn't help myself.
Next thing you know they'll be in the White House.
Racism is publicly frowned upon when it's overt, so people tend to govern themselves accordingly. When people say "It's not the 1950's anymore!", I laugh, because that is very telling. The 1950's was a time when overt racism was extremely common. The fact that it's not PC to be racist means that racist have to either claim they're not being racist, or be covertly racist. Hell, I've even heard Klansman claim they aren't racist. People want to be able to keep their attitudes, and exhibit the behaviors, but they do not want the labels. I know people who wish all gays would die, but if you call them a homophobe they will deny it with great passion.
The biggest reason White people hate these kind of subjects is because racism is almost always associated with Whites, in the same way that sexism is always associated with men. Racist minorities, and sexist women are not judged the same as racist Whites, and sexist men. Consequently, men sigh and/or roll their eyes when they hear the word 'sexist/sexism', and Whites sigh and/or roll their eyes when they hear the word 'racist/racism'. Is that fair? Of course not. But, it is life...
...and no one is going to hold them accountable to the same degree when everyone knows that the playing field is extremely lopsided. I'm an extremely ambitious minority, and because of this, I've been exposed to very naked racism. Minorities face a lot of opposition when they try to break through to the top. Honestly, it's not even arguable. I've been called 'darkie', 'boy', and have had people jokingly speak to me in ebonics to make their friends laugh. Why do you think the majority of the most powerful individuals in this country - and by power, I mean REAL power - are White males? I know it's the dirty little secret, but that's the way it is, and they have no interest in seeing that change.
It is very difficult for Whites to understand why Blacks still believe racism exists in a world where it's not as overt on a mass scale like it once was. ANYONE can see a minority being hung from a tree for approaching a White woman is racist. That's not even debatable. However, because that type of behavior is not tolerated anymore, how else do you think racist express themselves?
This is where we're disconnected. Whites want to believe racism is dead, because they're either tired of having the light shone on their racism, or they're tired of being seen as racist when they feel they're not. One of my best friends - a white female - held some very racist views about Black people, and she didn't even realize it. She dated Black men, listened to a lot of music by Black artist, but she didn't realize, until I pointed it out to her. that she looked down on Black people.
I don't consider her a 'racist', though. The belief in White superiority is learned, and it's not only Whites who believe in it. I'm not White, but I don't believe White families sit their kids down at the table and teach them that they're better than minorities. Lol. I doubt it works that way in 99 percent of the case. However, being a citizen of the world, you observe things, and you draw conclusions based on those observations.
Many Blacks hate White people because they don't feel welcomed around Whites. They feel at their mercy. Like, "If this White person wanted to do something to me right now, they could, and their is a chance they'd be protected by racist cops/judges/etc. Maybe. Maybe not. But, it has happened, and it still continues to happen" This causes some Blacks to lash out at Whites when they feel it is safe to do so(i.e. White males are frequently victimized in prison). At the same time, they think nothing of it because they ultimately feel like, 'My racism means nothing. This country is still controlled by your people.' While racism is wrong coming from anyone, it is undeniable that very little of major significance happens in this country with out a very rich White guy signing off on it. Whites don't understand what it does for their feeling of self worth to look up, see all the highly educated, wealthy, and powerful public figures look exactly like you. That tells you, 'Oh, I can do this too.' Out of all of these people, I have Obama - who may or may not get re-elected - Oprah, and ......
Whites don't understand it because they've always had it. This is ultimately why many Whites deem themselves superior. Do you know how many forums I've been a member of, and have shocked members when I revealed my ethnicity? One guy even said, 'Stop lying!?!!", as if being Black and articulate was an oxymoron based on his experiences. I guess that is possible, considering his response.
Why the shock, though? CuZ i DoN't TiPe lIk Diz?
If you're White, and are wealthy, moving into an affluent area is unremarkable. If you're Black, and you're wealthy, moving into an affluent area is often met with some level of suspicion. This is why you see the topics like on C-D like, "Does *insert city name* have affluent Black areas?" I've lurked on this forum, and you have Whites REALLY get upset by such topics. You guys don't understand. How some of you would feel walking through South Central LA is how many Blacks feel living in the United States. It's not that you WILL be victimized walking through SC L.A., but ...
Now, of course, I'm not suggesting that living in the US is EXACTLY like walking through a dangerous neighborhood, but the sense of not knowing when or if, and that you are a minority in the midst of a majority that you aren't sure whether they hate you or what they feel...
...it is not the greatest feeling in the world, and keeps you on edge when you're around them. Also it makes you more sensitive about what said and done to you. If you were in Atlanta, and some Black guy stepped on your foot without saying 'Excuse me', some Whites would assume they did it on purpose and because they were White.
You know what? You could be right. That uncertainty is why we're here, and why the race issue is likely to not see an end anytime soon.
....
Ok, I'm getting sleepy again, and must return to my sleeping quarters. I apologize because I was typing fast, and I'm sure my mistakes are many.
Excellent analysis. I agree with everything you said.
If I'm walking down the street & see four young black guys walking towards me wearing saggy pants, wife beaters & corn rows, acting loud and rambunctious am I racist for crossing the street? Yes! Wrong. If those same guys were wearing sport coats & khakis, had short hair & were speaking without cursing & at normal volume I wouldn't cross the street. Why not? Because it's not race, it's class. It's almost always class.
What you fail to acknowledge is that there are people who would actually cross the street even if the group of black guys look decent and non-threatening. This has everything to do with race. People who are racist don't differentiate between educated or non-educated blacks or wealthy or poor blacks for that matter. They simply paint all blacks with the same brush and therein lies their racism. They feel that they are inherently superior to them regardless of class.
What you fail to acknowledge is that there are people who would actually cross the street even if the group of black guys look decent and non-threatening. This has everything to do with race. People who are racist don't differentiate between educated or non-educated blacks or wealthy or poor blacks for that matter. They simply paint all blacks with the same brush and therein lies their racism. They feel that they are inherently superior to them regardless of class.
Those people are extremely ignorant. Ignore them and their stupidity.
One unsettling realization I've gained over the years has been that some relatives, long time friends and work associates have slid away from the enlightened attitudes they held in their younger days, and dirty old mental habits have worked their way back up into the forefront of their consciousness. Maybe it's that talk radio has poisoned their minds, or maybe it's genetic, or spiritual laziness that comes with age, who knows? Fear, anger and tribalism have taken root, and it seems that rational adult thought has left the building.
But is it right for me to disown a friend of 30 years, even though the opinions he is spouting nowadays are reprehensible? I had to cut off my association with an old buddy earlier this year, and one of our mutual friends has been pushing me to make amends. I could try, but what good would it serve?
One unsettling realization I've gained over the years has been that some relatives, long time friends and work associates have slid away from the enlightened attitudes they held in their younger days, and dirty old mental habits have worked their way back up into the forefront of their consciousness. Maybe it's that talk radio has poisoned their minds, or maybe it's genetic, or spiritual laziness that comes with age, who knows? Fear, anger and tribalism have taken root, and it seems that rational adult thought has left the building.
But is it right for me to disown a friend of 30 years, even though the opinions he is spouting nowadays are reprehensible? I had to cut off my association with an old buddy earlier this year, and one of our mutual friends has been pushing me to make amends. I could try, but what good would it serve?
You're talking about a 30-yr friendship here...I guess I'd like to find out what it was he said that caused you to back away from him, and why your friend is lobbying so hard for you two to make up...
It was your typical left-right political debate, I don't even remember the topic. At one point I realized that his words were not his own, he was parroting some hatemonger from talk radio. "This is the Enemy" was the message that appeared to me. I suppose this sort of social breakdown played out across the country in the 1850's and 60's in the days leading up to the Civil War.
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