African Americans and other minorities in Alexandria and surrounding areas? (Rochester: sick, diverse)

[rlc2k7]

Perhaps some residents of Alexandria and the surrounding areas could share their opinions on the recent increase of minorities in the area. I have noticed that some residents from Alexandria both in professional and other social situations seem to have less tolerance for minorities in the area. Would anyone care to share their thoughts on this topic?

[linksps3]

Originally Posted by rlc2k7

Perhaps some residents of Alexandria and the surrounding areas could share their opinions on the recent increase of minorities in the area. I have noticed that some residents from Alexandria both in professional and other social situations seem to have less tolerance for minorities in the area. Would anyone care to share their thoughts on this topic?

i think its great seeing as how the majority is white. I am hispanic myself and feel so sick and tired of some white people staring at me for no reason other then being hispanic. my personal opinion is that i think alot of the white people here are either racists. this town needs to be exposed for what it truly is. "i have noticed that some residents from alexandria both in professional and other social situations seem to have less tolerance for minorities in the area."

you have no idea how right you are about that one.

[linksps3]

But for all the bad people-it still is a very beautiful place to live. My daughter is mexican, irish, scottish and a whole other list of races. But I want her to grow up in a wide open place with lakes and grass-i dont want her to live in a big city just because people in this town are intolerable. I think alexandria's flaws need to be laid out for everyone to see-to catch someone in the act.

[Minnehahapolitan]

I don't know the city well, but I'm sure there are a couple reasons why Alexandria is so seasonal in nature.

[ScranBarre]

You also have to take the far-flung location of Alexandria into account. I know in my area there are many folks who aren't inherently racist, but they do stare at folks of different ethnicities, races, religious background, sexual orientations, etc. because they have never been exposed to it before, considering we're one of the least diverse metropolitan areas in the nation. It might be no different than African-Americans staring at a white person walking through a residential neighborhood in Detroit, where 90% of the city is black, for example. Most folks there aren't inherently racist against whites, but they might not have much exposure to them other than what they've seen in the media, in magazines, movies, etc. As such, it's only natural to be inquisitive and curious about people of other cultures and races you've never come into contact with before.

As a gay person myself, I can say by and large that folks in my area come off homophobic initially, and then they let their guards down and tolerate you once they realize you're not a threat to their way of life. Perhaps it's the same way in Alexandria too? People might simply be over-protective against Hispanics, blacks, etc. briefly due to underexposure to these types of folks, and then they warm up once they get to know them.

Hey, if all else fails and these folks keep staring at you, just shake your manhood at them! LOL!

[DaninEGF]

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

You also have to take the far-flung location of Alexandria into account. I know in my area there are many folks who aren't inherently racist, but they do stare at folks of different ethnicities, races, religious background, sexual orientations, etc. because they have never been exposed to it before, considering we're one of the least diverse metropolitan areas in the nation. It might be no different than African-Americans staring at a white person walking through a residential neighborhood in Detroit, where 90% of the city is black, for example. Most folks there aren't inherently racist against whites, but they might not have much exposure to them other than what they've seen in the media, in magazines, movies, etc. As such, it's only natural to be inquisitive and curious about people of other cultures and races you've never come into contact with before.

Your post hit the nail on the head....I live in far northwestern MN and while I did not grow up here I did grow up and live in small town America. Just because you feel someone may be starring at you or you get more looks absolutely has nothing to do with that person being racists. Many people will naturally awknowledge something that is different than what they are used to. I lived outside Detroit for a number of years...and very true if a white or hispanic person would walk in Detroit I would feel the samething as if I was the center of attention. Doing that alone does not make a person a racist.. I feel that term is thrown out so liberally as to dilute it and mask true racism.

Dan

[golfgal]

I would say that Alexandria specifically is different then most smaller towns in outstate MN in that it is a very wealthy area, higher then average education levels, etc. It is a large lake/retirement community that comes from all over the state. Mankato, Marshall, Rochester would be similar in that they have people coming and going all the time from all walks of life and are more 'exposed' to different races, cultures, sexual orientations as you say. When you get into some of the REALLY small town, you will probably get stared at but you could be a blond haired, blue eyed stranger and get the same looks because you aren't someone they know. It isn't a 'race' issue vs a stranger issue.